Andy_1963
Austrian expat in the Philippines
Forum posts
149
Contacts
2
About me
Austrian
Speaks German and English
Registration: 22 January 2023
Activity
Retiring in the Philippines by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Why did you choose to retire in the Philippines? What are the advantages compared with your home country? What were your main considerations when deciding to move? For example, taxes, ease of transferring your pension, ...
@coineken Hi,a TRV is a temporary resident visa which allows you to stay for up to 3 years. However, you need to renew the visa every 2 months at the immigration. Some immigrations (like her in Boracay) will bother you with a PRV (Marriage or Quota) ... Read More
Wise Exchange Rate by Enzyte Bob
I sent a sent a Wise transfer just now, exchange rate of USD of 57.1825.I checked the official rate, it is 57.19
When you send money to WISE it goes from your US/Europe bank account to the Wise account in the US/Europe. Then it goes from a Wise account in the Philippines to the target WISE account in the Philippines. There is no transfer bank between. This is ... Read More
How do you like living in Lapu-Lapu? by swt90alum
My wife and I are moving to Lapu-Lapu from the U.S. as soon as our house sells, and we are interested in hearing from people currently living there and how much they like it.
Hi, I got a friend on Mactan Island where Lapu-Lapu is. He has a condo in "The Reef". The condo is beautiful but very expensive.A cheaper version is Newport. Nice infrastructure, nice surroudings. Hotels, Condos, Beach.There is also a nice part ... Read More
Íæż½ã½ã planning a new business by prof2022
Im just working through the acres of paperwork and approvals needed to start a business here. Are there any members here who can point out any problems they have had?TIA
@prof2022 Hi,it depends what kind of business do you want to set up. For a citizen of the Philippines it is easier than for a foreigner.Did you make a business plan? Did you make a marketing analysis? Is the product/service you want to sell needed ... Read More
Looking for advise for most effective remote internet device? by seluzmeu
Hello all,I've been a lurker here and I'm shy about posting anything. Here we go, Can call me Lhanie. I recently retired and planning on staying in the Philippines. My past visits there when in Pangasinan, traveling around.. I have issues getting ...
Hi, we use the Smart Unlimited internet 5G from Smart in my cellphone. This is 999 PHP per month now. It works fine here in Boracay.Greetings from BoracayAndy Read More
Good places to take kids in PH? by Eccles Bluebottle
Hi there, just wondering if anyone has first-hand experience of great places for kids to go to/see/experience in the Philippines? Happy to hear about places in Manila, or anywhere across the archipelago. Will be heading back in July for a ...
@Eccles Bluebottle Hi, my son is 7.5 years old and hw loves to play on the front beach of Boracay.If you like more indoor, go to Mall of Asia in Manila. On the top floor they have lots of kids attractions.Better kids attractions are in Hong Kong and ... Read More
Taxes for expats in the Philippines by Cheryl
Hello everyone, When settling in and living in the Philippines, you will also need to navigate the local tax system. In order to help newcomers and expats ease their tax-related experience, we would like to invite you to share your ...
I am afraid that it is not the case. It starts with 0% and depending how much you get it increases. So, no flat tax of 0% for pensions. Read More
Taxes for expats in the Philippines by Cheryl
Hello everyone, When settling in and living in the Philippines, you will also need to navigate the local tax system. In order to help newcomers and expats ease their tax-related experience, we would like to invite you to share your ...
If you have an income in your home country (e.g. a pension) you need to pay the income tax in the Philippines if you stay in the Philippines for more than 180 days as a permanent resident. To avoid the double taxation (as you have to pay the income ... Read More
Remitly, Wise or? by bigpearl
Thinking of setting up an account with one of the above companies, any thoughts or recommendations?Cheers, Steve.
I am using Wise for all the money transfers from Austria to the Philippines. Within 2 minutes it is from my bank account on the Wise bank account in Belgium and from there it is another 2 minutes to the BDO account of my wife.So everything is done ... Read More
Where do I go to extend my stay as a tourist ? by stevenkirchner2
I know this is commonly done. I need a governemment office in Dumaguete, Dipolog. I can go to Cebu City if I have to. Do not want to have to go to manila for this.Any assitance would be appreciated.steven
Hi, there is no need to go to Manila or Cebu to extend a tourist visa. You can get this in in your local immigration office. They are located in every city.https://maps.app.goo.gl/RMVrHJcxtYWPGpYE7Your first extension will be for 29 days.Andy Read More
Mail forwarding by Travelnman59
I'm thinking of moving to Davao so I'm trying to get all the necessary items taken care of. One of my first questions is how do you get your mail forwarded? I have no.one here that would do it. I've read about some mail forwarding but haven't seen ...
@Travelnman59Hi,Have you ever been in the Philippines? If not, then don't sell your house in the USA, find someone who takes care of your dog and stay here for a month. In the same place where you want to go now. Have you ever met your girlfriend or ... Read More
Latest updates in labor regulations in the Philippines by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Labor laws and regulations are constantly evolving. Staying informed of these updates as an expat in the Philippines helps you in navigating your professional experience and expat career. We would like to invite you to share ...
Hi,be carful with the mail. Overseas mail does not always arrive in the Philippines and especially not outside of Manila. I am waiting for some documents here in Boracay but they did not arrive. If it is important mail, then consider to send it with ... Read More
Anyone using Starlink? by Enzyte Bob
This is the third day of outage from Sky. I would like to pull the plug on them.Is anyone using Starlink or some other satellite system? Years ago I switch from PDLT to Sky for being unresponsive.Year by year Sky service has fallen off. Converge is ...
I use SmartBro unlimited Internet for 999 PHP per month in Boracay. Is 5G and the download rate is 178 Mbps / upload 27 Mbps.No need to feed Elon. Read More
Financial Infedelity by mrlugubrious
Thought I had a reasonably happy home and now I am very confused on how to handle my wife raiding our finances and sending them to her family in the PI. No matter what I agree to she finds it necessary to secretly send thousands of dollars extra, ...
Never ever give your wife control over your money. Keep it save under your name and give her only what you have agreed before. In my case 17k PHP. The foreigner is seen as the cash cow, ATM, saviour in her eyes and the eyes of her family (which can ... Read More
Buying condos as investments? by Zodel
 Not sure if anyone is successful in doing this here. In the United States real estate investor’s is very competitive. All though I haven’t had to evict anyone in a while I was wondering what the process is in makati? Also I was ...
Most investors here in Boracay made the painful experience that their condo lost value and they sold it below the money they have bought it from Megaworld / Global Estate. Those who think to make money with renting it out via Airbnb / Agoda were ... Read More