The Philippines has been named the world’s top retirement destination for 2026, capping a record-breaking year for tourism that saw domestic spending reach ₱3.26 trillion and employment in the sector rise to 7.7 million.
As thousands of foreign retirees flock to the country each year, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) is racing to modernize the nation’s border systems—ensuring its gateways remain as secure as they are welcoming.
World’s best place to retire
The Philippines ranked first among 20 countries in the Expatriate Group’s Retirement Abroad Index 2026, scoring 78 out of 100. It surpassed Thailand, Colombia, and other popular retirement destinations.
The index evaluated countries across five factors: healthcare quality, visa accessibility, health insurance requirements, cost of living, and expat community and integration. The Philippines scored particularly well in affordability and visa accessibility.
Data showed that a retired couple can live comfortably on around £750 to £1,000 per month—roughly $998 to $1,330. The country’s strong private healthcare sector and well-established expat communities in Manila, Cebu, and other popular island destinations also make the transition easier.
A growing retiree community
As of June 2026, 86,292 foreign retirees from more than 150 countries have made the Philippines their second home. Active Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) holders number about 62,000, and the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) is targeting 4,700 new applicants this year.
“Foreign retirees contribute to retail, hospitality, and tourism. The moment they settle in their chosen location, they travel all over the country,” PRA president Roberto Zozobrado was quoted as saying.
Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay called the ranking “an affirmation of the progress we are making in creating a more welcoming, accessible, and enjoyable experience for travelers and retirees alike.”
Tourism by the numbers
Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed domestic tourism expenditure increased by 3% to ₱3.26 trillion in 2025, from ₱3.16 trillion the previous year. Inbound tourism spending, however, declined by 6.4% to ₱698.46 billion from ₱745.99 billion in 2024.
Despite the drop in foreign exchange earnings, foreign visitor arrivals still increased—from 5.44 million in 2024 to 5.87 million based on the eTravel portal, or 5.94 million based on BI records, in 2025.
The figures confirm that domestic tourism remains the larger and more resilient economic driver of the industry.
Tourism direct gross value added (TDGVA) edged down by 1.4% to ₱2.27 trillion, while tourism employment grew by 2.5% to 7.70 million.
Why CAISS matters now
As tourist arrivals and the retiree population continue to grow, so does the need for secure and efficient border management.
The proposed Civil Aviation and Immigration Security Services (CAISS) project—a ₱10.74-billion public-private partnership (PPP)—aims to modernize border control across 11 international airports, one major seaport, and six mobile border crossing stations.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)-compliant project is an unsolicited proposal by Securiport LLC, submitted in May 2023. It would deploy an integrated platform featuring Advanced Passenger Information / Passenger Name Record (API/PNR) data exchange, AI-driven risk assessment tools, and biometric border control systems, including e-gates, enrollment and verification, and passenger screening workflows.
Crucially, the project follows a “no-cost-to-government” model. The private partner will finance, design, build, operate, and maintain the platform, recovering its investment through a minimal $4 user fee per international traveler built into airline ticket costs. After a 20-year concession period, all assets will be transferred to the government.
Security without sacrificing welcome
The BI has repeatedly said it recognizes the importance of modernizing the country’s border management infrastructure to better combat transnational crime, human trafficking, terrorism, and other emerging security threats.
The CAISS project covers major international gateways, including Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Clark, Davao, Mactan-Cebu, Boracay (Caticlan), Iloilo, Kalibo, Laoag, Bohol-Panglao, Puerto Princesa, and Zamboanga.
By aligning with international standards adopted by other countries and ASEAN neighbors, the system aims to strengthen regional interoperability and cooperation.
With foreign arrivals nearing six million, tourism employing more than 7.7 million Filipinos, and the Philippines earning its new title as the world’s top retirement destination—with retirees from China, South Korea, the United States, and many other countries choosing it as their home—the CAISS project represents a critical investment in infrastructure that will keep the country’s borders secure, efficient, and ready for the next wave of arrivals.
As the BI continues enhancing its Advance Passenger Information System, launched in March 2025, the goal is clear: streamlined security that supports, rather than hinders, the continued growth of Philippine tourism.
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