Andy_1963
Austrian expat in the Philippines
Forum posts
208
Contacts
2
About me
Austrian
Speaks German and English
Registration: 22 January 2023
About
Education
TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
Technical Baccalaureate, Informatics
1986
My expat journey
Philippines
Austria
Activity
What kind of lifestyle will $5000.USD/mo. afford in the Philippines? by expat1
Just trying to learn cost of living standards in real terms verses the western countries. I see some of these costs (real estate, domestic help, etc...) online. What about utility costs, health insurance, medical care, automobile expenses, taxes, ...
@vizzy598 To buy a property here is the most stupid thing one can do. First of all you cannot buy a house as a foreigner. The law in the Philippines does not allow foreigners to buy a lot. You can lease it but not buy it. You can buy a condo. Now it ... Read More
Question Traveled Expats by Enzyte Bob
Soon I will be flying back to the states(1) I will land in San Francisco and then catch a connecting flight to Tucson AZ(2) No doubt my connecting flight will be in another terminal.(3) Will I have to go through TSA screening? and pay the $45 fee? ...
@Lotus EaterIn the past you were not able to enter the building. But this has changed. No more ticket checks and scanning at the terminal entrance. Read More
Question Traveled Expats by Enzyte Bob
Soon I will be flying back to the states(1) I will land in San Francisco and then catch a connecting flight to Tucson AZ(2) No doubt my connecting flight will be in another terminal.(3) Will I have to go through TSA screening? and pay the $45 fee? ...
There is no need to go to the BI office at the airport if you have your departure clearance and return permit. He can take you as far as there is the check for the ticket. This is within the terminal but outside of the check in area. You should be ... Read More
Exchanging Pesos to Dollars by Enzyte Bob
I asked my stepson to exchange some of my Pesos to USD at BDO.The bank told them they don't have USD, they seldom do.I only wanted $50 in small bills in preparation to my US trip.Any ideas?
@Enzyte Bob Don't tell the immigration that you are leaving the Philippines for good. In case you tell them they might not let you pass with the 13a visa. Such a visa has to be downgraded to a tourist visa before you leave for good. Read More
Exchanging Pesos to Dollars by Enzyte Bob
I asked my stepson to exchange some of my Pesos to USD at BDO.The bank told them they don't have USD, they seldom do.I only wanted $50 in small bills in preparation to my US trip.Any ideas?
@Enzyte Bob No problem at the airport. Read More
Marrying a woman from Cavite by benguyr
Hello,I am planning on marrying a woman from Cavitein in July of 2028.i have never been to the Philippines and hopefully I can handle the heat and humidity.i will only making $2500 a month from social security.I can’t afford to live in the ...
@benguyrHi,why do the girls here in the Philippines want to marry foreign men? And the answer is: To have a better life. And the better life is defined with a house or condo here in the Philippines or in the USA. They are dreaming of a life abroad ... Read More
Returning to Baguio and Ilocos Sur by mugtech
Arrived at JFK at 9PM on 11/17/24 to check in for a 12:50 AM flight on Korean Air to South Korea then Manila. Had to pay $6 to use a hand truck for our three checked bags and two carryons. Only other time we had to pay for said hand ...
I am in a Megaworld township in Boracay. Still totally underdeveloped after 10 years. No supermarket, no fast food, no coffe shop, no other useful shops. Even the 7eleven has closed. Read More
Most common payment methods in the Philippines by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Moving to the Philippines, even simple things like paying for groceries or a coffee can feel different. In order to help fellow expats and soon-to-be expats better prepare for their daily transactions, we invite you to share your ...
@CherylHere in Boracay we go shopping to City Mall and Robinsons. We use the credit card for every purchase. The only place where we cannot use the credit card is the hop on / hop off bus and the e-trikes. They want cash. When we go for dinner we ... Read More
SRRV agent: cost and recommendation? by Willis100
Hi, all: I'm certain that retaining an agent is the right thing to do when applying for an SRRV. Couple of questions:1) They used to be free. The couple of agents I've inquired with want to charge 500USD on top of government fees. Is this the new ...
Don't waste your money with a SRRV. Stay as a tourist and travel out of the Philippines sometimes. If you are here for a girl, get married and apply for the 13a (marriage visa).Greetings from BoracayAndy (10 years in the Philippines) Read More
New member needs help finding accommodation by expat8085
HI, MY NAME IS MARK EMMONS AND I'M A NEW MEMBER. I PLAN TO MOVE TO THE SAN RAFAEL/BALIUAG, BULACAN AREA PROBABLY THE FIRST HALF OF 2027. THE FIRST KIND OF HELP I'D REQUEST IS HELP FINDING A SMALL ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT, SO IF ANYONE HAS A ...
@expat8085Hi,There is a cheap SOGO hotel in Baliwag. They have rooms for 999 Pesos (16 USD) per day. You can stay there for a week or two and try to find an apartment for rent. You can stay up to 3 years as a tourist but you need to go to the ... Read More
ECC how to Exit The Philippines by Enzyte Bob
I am a 13A holder, Permanent Resident.My daughter in the States, Tucson Arizona, has offered her home to me, it is my best alternative me.But I'm confused about the ECC, do I need an ECC since I'm not planning to return to the Philippines.
I always send my wife to the local BI office in Boracay. There is usually no one waiting in front and so it is done in less than 5 minutes. I always do it a few days before to make sure I have it when I need it. What if their computer at the airport ... Read More
Proving Residency to HMRC for NT Code (UK-Philippines DTA) by MrMeldrew
Hi everyone,I’m a British expat living in the Philippines on an SRRV visa, and I’m trying to sort out my UK tax position regarding my pension.I understand that under the UK-Philippines Double Taxation Agreement (DTA), pensions paid to ...
It is all written in the double taxation treaty between the Philippines and your country. In my case (Austria) I have to pay the income tax for my Austrian pension in Austria. If I would get a pension in the Philippines from the Philippines it would ... Read More
Rental nightmares in the Philippines by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Finding a place to live in the Philippines can be exciting, but it doesn’t always go as planned. From misleading listings and apartments that look nothing like the photos to strange landlords, hidden rules, unexpected ...
Here in Boracay (Oceanway) there are many condos for rent. Some units are so bad that the tenant went out the next day, others are really nice. There are older US expats living here. Some bought a unit while others make long term rental contracts. ... Read More
New members of the Philippines forum, introduce yourselves here - 2026 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Philippines forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on your ...
Hello Andy, Thank you for your answer. 10 years over there, congratulations for an europeen. I have never been to Phil, so I want to try 1 or 2 months at the end of 2026. No precise dates yet. For this short time, I expect to live in condo ( with ... Read More
Wondering - advisement regarding the area by Erwendo1
Hello anyone with an opinionI'm considering purchasing a Townhome in Courtside Village Sun Valley Parañaque City. Thoughts anyone??Townhomes are not ideal, but would work for my family situation. Still - HOA? Safety? Anyone know ...
@Erwendo1 Good morning,this is in the extension of Runway 13 of Manila airport. There are not many flights in this direction in summer but in winter you can expect the start of a plane every 5 minutes going over this area.As a foreigner I would not ... Read More