Good to know
Good to Know
- Visa and Mastercard are reliable in Metro Manila, but always carry cash for smaller vendors, markets, and transport
- The standard ATM withdrawal fee is ₱250 (~$4 USD) for foreign cards; HSBC offers free withdrawals but has very few ATM locations
- Avoid dynamic currency conversion (DCC) at ATMs and merchants—always choose to be charged in PHP for better rates
- Tipping is expected in restaurants, hotels, and for services, especially if no service charge is already included
- Plan withdrawals strategically: withdraw larger amounts less frequently to minimize fees, or use HSBC ATMs if accessible
- GCash and Maya dominate mobile payments but require a local SIM card; most tourist-facing businesses accept cards
ATM Services
- Availability
- Abundant in Metro Manila near bank branches, shopping centers, and supermarkets
- Operating Hours
- 24/7
- Pin Requirements
- Most ATMs require a 4-digit PIN; some accept up to 6 digits
Cards Accepted
- Visa
- Mastercard
- JCB
- UnionPay
- Cirrus
- Plus
Cards With Limited Acceptance
- American Express (BDO ATMs only)
- Discover (Citibank, SB Card, BDO Unibank ATMs only)
Security Notes
Security Notes
- Avoid using ATMs at airports—they often have higher fees
- Use ATMs inside malls (SM, Ayala, Robinsons) rather than standalone machines to reduce skimming and fraud risk
- Notify your home bank before traveling to prevent card blocking
- ATMs can run out of money during peak holiday periods, so withdraw sufficient cash in advance
Card Acceptance
- Minimum Spend Requirement
- Some stores and restaurants have minimum spending requirements before card acceptance, so carrying cash is advisable
- Description
- Card usage in Manila is widely accepted in commercial areas but cash remains important
Visa Mastercard
- Status
- Widely accepted
- Details
- Visa and Mastercard work at most ATMs and in hotels, restaurants, and shops in Metro Manila, though some establishments may add a 2-3% surcharge
American Express
- Status
- limited
- Details
- American Express is much less commonly accepted, mainly at international hotels and upscale chains
Payment Methods
- E Wallets
- GCash and Maya are the Philippines' dominant e-wallets and are accepted almost everywhere locally, but require a Philippine SIM card to set up
- Dynamic Currency Conversion
- Avoid DCC at all costs—offers poor exchange rates. Always choose to pay in Philippine Pesos (PHP) instead of your home currency
Tipping Culture
- Status
- Not legally required but widely practiced
- Details
- Service workers in hospitality and tourism rely heavily on gratuities. Cash is strongly preferred for tips
- Restaurant Note
- Many sit-down restaurants add a 10% service charge (SC) automatically—check your bill first before adding additional tip
ATM Withdrawal Fees
- Standard Fee
- ₱250
- Per Transaction Limit
- ₱10,000
- Fee Notes
- Typical fee for foreign card withdrawals; HSBC ATMs charge no fee but have very limited locations (mainly Manila and Cebu)
- Limit Notes
- Some ATMs allow up to 40,000 PHP but typical limit is 10,000-20,000 PHP per transaction
Banking
- Overview
- Foreigners can open bank accounts in Manila, but requirements vary by bank and visa status. Major commercial banks like BDO, BPI, UnionBank, and Metrobank serve expats. Account setup requires in-person visit and multiple documents.
- Branch Location Advantage
- Branches in business districts (Makati, BGC, Ortigas) are more experienced with foreign applicants and typically faster approval than smaller neighborhood branches
- Processing Note
- Even within the same bank, approval can vary by branch. Expect 25 minutes to 2+ hours depending on branch volume and document completeness
Eligibility
- General
- Foreigners can legally open accounts if they are temporary or permanent residents
- Visa Status Matters
- Yes
- Tourist Visa Challenges
- Most banks do not easily approve accounts for tourists; require extended stay documentation
Minimum Deposits
- USD Account
- $500
- Peso Account
- ₱25,000
Required Documents
- Valid passport with recent entry stamp or visa
- ACR I-Card (Alien Certificate of Registration) if stay exceeds 59 days; increasingly required by most banks
- Proof of local address (condo lease, hotel certification, utility bill, employer letter, or rental agreement)
- Two 1x1 or 2x2 ID photos
- TIN (Tax Identification Number) may be requested for some accounts
Account Types Available
- Savings accounts
- Current/checking accounts
- Foreign currency accounts (USD)
- Time deposit accounts
Best Banks For Foreigners
BDO
- Notes
- Offers online applications for eligible foreigners, large network of 1600+ branches
BPI
- Notes
- Established 1851, over 1100 branches, good online and telephone banking
UnionBank
- Notes
- More modern, mobile-friendly, faster approval, digital convenience
Metrobank
- Notes
- Major commercial bank serving expats
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Manila
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.