Philippines Visa Requirements
For 🇩🇪 Germany passport holders
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond stay
Blank Pages
At least 1 page required
Multiple Entry
Single entry
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Travel Essentials
Health & Safety
Safety Rating
Vaccinations
Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, Rabies, COVID-19.
Tap Water
Bottled water recommended
Safety Tips
Exercise increased caution in the Philippines. Major tourist areas like Boracay, Palawan, and Cebu are generally safe. Avoid travel to Mindanao (except certain tourist areas) due to terrorism and kidnapping risks. Metro Manila has petty crime - use Grab and be vigilant with belongings. Traffic in Manila is among the world's worst. Typhoon season (June-November) can disrupt travel.
Money & Costs
Currency
₱ Philippine Peso (PHP)
Daily Budget (USD)
Budget: $30 · Mid: $60 · Luxury: $150+
Cards & ATMs
Cards accepted in malls and hotels. Cash for most places.
Tipping
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. Service charge (usually 10%) is often included at restaurants - if not, 10% is standard. Hotel bellhops appreciate ₱20-50 per bag, housekeeping ₱50-100 per day. Tour guides typically receive ₱200-500 per day. Taxi drivers don't expect tips but rounding up is kind. Always tip in pesos.
Practical Info
Power
Type A, B, C, 220V, 60Hz
Driving
Right side
Emergency
Emergency: 911
Police: 117
Fire: 117
Mobile/SIM
Buy a SIM card immediately at the airport from Globe or Smart - booths are in arrivals. Tourist SIMs with unlimited data for 7-30 days cost ₱300-1,000. Registration requires passport. Philippine internet speeds can be slow and coverage variable on remote islands. Globe generally has better coverage. WhatsApp, Viber, and especially Facebook Messenger are essential for local communication.
Getting There
Main Airports
Cebu (CEB) · Manila (MNL)
Airport Transfers
Manila NAIA: Grab is the easiest option (₱300-500 to Makati/BGC, 30-90 minutes depending on terminal and traffic). Yellow airport taxis use meters plus ₱100 flag down. The airport has four terminals - verify which one! Cebu-Mactan: Grab or MyBus to city (₱40, 1 hour). Taxi around ₱400.
Local Transport
Domestic flights are essential - Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines connect hundreds of destinations. Book early for better rates. Jeepneys are iconic but confusing for tourists. Tricycles serve local areas. Grab is essential in cities. Inter-island ferries (2GO, FastCat) connect major islands - book cabins for overnight trips. Manila's MRT/LRT is useful but crowded.
Culture & Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
December-May dry season. June-November typhoon season. Christmas huge celebration.
Cultural Notes
Filipinos are famously warm, hospitable, and family-oriented. Respect for elders is paramount - use "po" and "opo" when speaking to anyone older. Greetings between friends involve a kiss on the cheek. The Philippines is predominantly Catholic with strong religious traditions. "Mañana habit" means things happen on a relaxed schedule. Balikbayan boxes from relatives abroad are a cultural institution.
Insider Tips
Filipinos speak excellent English, making the Philippines one of the easiest Southeast Asian countries to navigate. Island hopping is a must - book tours in advance during peak season. "Filipino time" is real - expect flexibility with schedules. The peso is weak, making the Philippines affordable for Americans. Load up on data - communication is primarily through Facebook Messenger. Karaoke is a national obsession - embrace it!
Dress Code
Casual dress. Modest at churches.