Retiring in the Philippines in 2026: how to get the visa

8 min read · Published 6 October 2026

Since 1 September 2025 the deposit for a retiree aged 50+ is $15,000 with a pension from $800 a month. In return: indefinite stay and no tax on a foreign pension.

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Key facts	2026
Age	50+, from 40 with a higher deposit
Deposit with a pension	$15,000 with a pension from $800, couples from $1,000
Deposit without a pension	$30,000
Fees	$1,500 for the applicant, $300 per family member, $360 a year
Term	indefinite while you pay the annual fee
Tax on a foreign pension	0%: a foreigner's foreign income is not taxed
Living alone in Cebu	$1,200-1,800 a month

Data checked: 06.10.2026

The Philippines is one of the few Asian countries with a dedicated retirement visa. It is issued by the state retirement authority and gives indefinite stay with multiple entry. The rules changed on 1 September 2025: the minimum age was lowered to 40 and deposit amounts went up.

The main difference from European programmes is not income but a deposit in a Philippine bank. Below is who qualifies, what amounts are needed, how to prove a Russian pension, what life costs and the steps of the application.

We will work out online the investment or income your family needs and what the permit costs for each member.

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Who can get residence as a retiree

The retirement visa suits foreigners aged 50+, and since 1 September 2025 also those aged 40+, but with a higher deposit. With a pension of at least $800 a month for one person or $1,000 for a couple, the deposit for ages 50+ is $15,000. Without a pension it is $30,000. For ages 40-49 the amounts are higher: $25,000 with a pension and $50,000 without.

The retirement visa differs from ordinary visas in that it needs no renewals every few months: the holder lives in the country with no time limit and can enter and leave as often as they like. Employment requires a separate work permit, but living on a pension and savings does not.

recipients of a state or private pension from $800 a month;
couples whose pensions together reach $1,000 a month;
people without a pension, with a $30,000 deposit;
a spouse and unmarried children under 21 as family members, for a $300 fee each.

Documents and how to prove a Russian pension

passport with an entry stamp;
a Social Fund of Russia pension certificate with the amount, apostilled;
a medical certificate on the retirement authority's form;
a police certificate from your country of citizenship with an apostille, plus a Philippine one if you have stayed over 30 days;
proof of the deposit in a bank accredited by the authority;
for a spouse, a marriage certificate with an apostille, for children, birth certificates;
photos and the application form.

The pension certificate must be a paper document with a stamp: an electronic statement from the government services portal cannot be apostilled. Russian-language documents are translated into English.

The deposit is opened in dollars at a bank on the authority's list. You can keep receiving the pension on a Russian card and live on transfers and a local account.

Health insurance

There is no mandatory policy for the retirement visa, but a medical certificate is attached to the application. Private hospitals in Cebu and Manila are decent and cheaper than Western ones, but admission is paid on the spot. So retirees take out private or international insurance, and its price rises with age.

Philippine public health insurance is not the main option for foreign retirees: it covers basic services, and the best hospitals are private. Before filing, check what a policy costs at your age; sometimes it is the largest expense after rent.

Tax on your pension and the treaty with Russia

A foreigner living in the Philippines pays tax only on income from Philippine sources. A Russian pension is foreign income, so it is not taxed in the Philippines.

Russia does not tax its state pension either, so there is no double tax on it. Interest on a deposit in a Philippine bank is taxed locally at source.

If you start renting out a flat in the Philippines or open a business there, that income becomes local and is taxed under Philippine rules. The pension itself and savings abroad are not taxed in the country however many years you live on the islands.

Monthly budget for a couple

Monthly item	Amount
One-bedroom condo in a good area of Cebu	$400-720
Electricity with air conditioning	$65-145
Fibre internet	$25-40
Annual authority fee, per month	$30
A normal life for one person	$1,200-1,800
Modestly, with local food and no car	$720-960 per person

Electricity is the most underestimated item: Philippine tariffs are among the highest in Southeast Asia. In Manila a one-bedroom flat in business districts costs $700-1,200. A consultant will calculate a budget for your city and family in the chat.

Support up to the visa and the card

The Philippine retirement visa is lost on details: the deposit opened in a non-accredited bank, a pension certificate without an apostille, a medical certificate not on the authority's form, a missed annual fee. We check your pension and age against the required deposit, prepare the documents and support opening the deposit and filing with the retirement authority.

A consultant will calculate the support fee in the chat.

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Where retirees settle

Foreign retirees most often choose Cebu: the sea, an international airport, private hospitals and condominium districts. Manila suits those who value large clinics and business life, but it is noisy and more expensive. Many live on smaller islands and in coastal towns and travel to Cebu or Manila for doctors and shopping.

When choosing a place, consider the typhoon season: from June to November strong storms hit the eastern and northern islands more often. Davao is rarely hit and Cebu less often than the eastern islands, so these cities are often chosen for permanent living. In small towns rent is many times cheaper, but a good hospital can be hours away.

Steps and timelines

Step	Timeline
Checking age, pension and the required deposit	1-2 weeks
Certificates, apostilles, medical certificate	3-6 weeks
Visa-free entry and opening the deposit at an accredited bank	within 30 days
Filing with the retirement authority	in Manila or a regional office
Decision, visa in the passport and card	usually a few weeks
Annual fee	every year

Russian citizens enter the Philippines visa-free for 30 days, enough to open the deposit and apply. The retirement visa does not lead to citizenship: it is an indefinite residence status, not a path to a passport.

Common reasons for refusal

a pension below $800 for one or $1,000 for a couple with the lower deposit;
a deposit not at a bank on the authority's list;
a pension certificate without an apostille;
a medical certificate not on the authority's form;
a criminal record;
not paying the annual fee, which can lead to cancellation.

The deposit is not a payment to the state: it stays your money while the visa is valid and is returned under the authority's rules if you give up the status. So the main risk is not losing the deposit but a mistake in the papers that forces you to file again.

This topic in other countries

Retiring in other countries:

FAQ

What deposit is needed for the Philippine retirement visa in 2026?

For ages 50+, $15,000 with a pension from $800 a month or $30,000 without a pension. For ages 40-49, $25,000 and $50,000.

From what age is the Philippine retirement visa issued?

Since 1 September 2025 from age 40, but for ages 40-49 the deposits are higher than for 50+.

How much are the retirement visa fees?

$1,500 for the main applicant, $300 for each family member and $360 a year.

Is a Russian pension taxed in the Philippines?

No. A foreigner pays tax only on income from Philippine sources.

Can Russian citizens get the Philippine retirement visa?

Yes. Russian citizens enter visa-free for 30 days and can open the deposit and apply during that time.

How long is the retirement visa valid?

Indefinitely, as long as you pay the annual fee and keep the deposit under the authority's rules.

Does the retirement visa lead to Philippine citizenship?

No, it is an indefinite residence status, not a path to a passport.

Don’t want to figure this out alone?

We handle the whole process end to end: we check your documents, match a program to your situation and give you honest timelines and costs. Ask your question in the chat: the free consultation starts right here. Legal representation before authorities and courts is handled by Murblz specialists together with locally licensed partners.

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