Photo: Michael Maga-ao / Unsplash
Practical info for the Philippines
Emergencies, embassy, entry requirements, money: the essentials before you go, with the official source and the date each piece of information was checked.
Embassy and entry requirements shown for travellers from: United Kingdom.
Emergency numbers
Source: France Diplomatie, GOV.UK, French embassy, Portal das Comunidades Portuguesas, Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych RP · verified on 26/10/2026
Embassy and consulates
- British Embassy ManilaEmbassy
- Address
- 120 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Hill, Taguig City, Manila, Manila, 1634, Philippines
- Consular emergency line
- To call us in an emergency or send us an online enquiry use our contact form: https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/posts/philippines/british-embassy-manila
Consular emergency numbers (emergencies only): FCDO, London (24 hours): +44 20 7008 5000.
Entry requirements
The rules depend on your passport: check them here before you book, for every traveller, children included.
Official page: GOV.UK (FCDO), updated 15/07/2026 ›
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Safety and travel advice
Highest level according to GOV.UK (FCDO): FCDO advises against all travel to parts of the country.
Areas where FCDO advises against travel
FCDO advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago.
FCDO also advises against all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao, except for:
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Currency and payments
Currency: Philippine peso (PHP).
ECB reference rate on 26/10/2026: €1 = 71.54 PHP.
Source: SIX Group (ISO 4217), European Central Bank, EU Publications Office · verified on 26/10/2026
Time difference
Local time: UTC+08:00, +8 h compared with London (calculated on 26/10/2026).
The clocks change in London on 28/03/2027: the difference may change that day.
Source: IANA (time zones) · verified on 26/10/2026
Driving
Driving licence, according to GOV.UK (FCDO): “Carry identification such as a driving licence or copy of your passport at all times, and make sure the emergency contact details in your passport are up to date. You can drive in the Philippines on a UK driving licence for up to 90 days. If you’re staying longer than 90 days, you must apply for a Philippine driving licence.”
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Mobile networks
Networks listed by the eSIMs we checked: SMART (Sirocco, Airalo); Globe (Sirocco); Globe Telecom (Sirocco).
eSIM prices for the Philippines
7 days, 5 GB · prices checked on 26/10/2026
3 brands compared, not an exhaustive listWhy this ranking?
Ranked by price: for each brand, the cheapest plan that covers 7 days and 5 GB.
Not an exhaustive comparison: 3 brands out of the dozens that sell eSIMs. The list of brands compared is in our Methodology.
eSIMeter is published by Mocom SAS, which sells Sirocco: the site is funded by those sales. No other brand pays us.
Frequently asked questions
What are the emergency numbers in the Philippines?
Single emergency number: 911 ; Police: 117 ; Police: 168 ; Police: 911 ; Medical emergencies: 911 ; Fire brigade: 911
How do I contact the embassy or consulate in the Philippines?
British Embassy Manila, 120 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Hill, Taguig City, Manila, Manila, 1634, Philippines. Consular emergency numbers (emergencies only): FCDO, London (24 hours): +44 20 7008 5000.
What are the entry requirements for the Philippines?
The rules depend on your passport: check them here before you book, for every traveller, children included. Official page: GOV.UK (FCDO), updated 15/07/2026.
What is the travel advice for the Philippines?
Highest level according to GOV.UK (FCDO): FCDO advises against all travel to parts of the country. Areas where FCDO advises against travel FCDO advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago. FCDO also advises against all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao, except for: Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
What currency is used in the Philippines?
Currency: Philippine peso (PHP). ECB reference rate on 26/10/2026: €1 = 71.54 PHP.
What is the time difference in the Philippines?
Local time: UTC+08:00, +8 h compared with London (calculated on 26/10/2026). The clocks change in London on 28/03/2027: the difference may change that day.
What should I know about driving in the Philippines?
Driving licence, according to GOV.UK (FCDO): “Carry identification such as a driving licence or copy of your passport at all times, and make sure the emergency contact details in your passport are up to date. You can drive in the Philippines on a UK driving licence for up to 90 days. If you’re staying longer than 90 days, you must apply for a Philippine driving licence.”
Which mobile networks operate in the Philippines?
Networks listed by the eSIMs we checked: SMART (Sirocco, Airalo); Globe (Sirocco); Globe Telecom (Sirocco).