The Philippines has more than 7,000 islands, and most trips combine Manila or Cebu with island hopping in Palawan, Boracay, Bohol or Siargao. Coverage is good in the cities and resort towns, and patchy on remote islands and on the boats between them. The Philippines is not part of the EU's Roam Like at Home area, and European plans usually charge roaming by the day.
Key facts for the Philippines
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: Smart, Globe (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: 911
- Embassies: in Metro Manila, with some consulates in Cebu
Before you go: where to travel and eTravel
Several governments advise against travel to parts of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago because of armed groups and the risk of kidnapping, so check your government's advice before planning a trip to the south. All arriving travellers must also complete the eTravel form online within 72 hours before landing. It costs nothing on the official site, etravel.gov.ph.
Manila and the cities
Traffic in Manila is heavy, so allow plenty of time to and from the airport. Grab is the main ride-hailing app and the simplest way to take a car at night. Coverage is strong across Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao.
Island hopping and remote islands
On boat trips around El Nido and Coron and on the smaller islands, the signal comes and goes, and some beaches have none at all. Download maps, keep your phone in a dry bag, and take enough cash before heading to small islands, where cash machines are few and often run out.
Typhoons
The typhoon season runs from about June to November. When storm signals are raised, ferries and domestic flights are cancelled at short notice, so follow PAGASA, the national weather service, and leave a spare day before an international flight.
SIM registration
Philippine SIM cards must be registered with your passport, and a SIM registered to a tourist works for 30 days unless you show the operator an approved visa extension.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM is set up at home and starts with its first connection in the Philippines, so you skip the queue at the airport SIM counters. Your usual number stays reachable for texts and bank codes.
Philippine prepaid SIMs from Smart, Globe or DITO are sold at the airports and in convenience stores, and you register them online with your passport and proof of address, such as a hotel booking.
Consular protection: who to call in the Philippines
- 911 is the national emergency number for the police, ambulances and the fire service.
- Embassies are in Metro Manila, and some countries also have consulates in Cebu. The Telcomia app shows yours, with address and phone.
- If you are an EU citizen and your country has no embassy or consulate in the Philippines, the embassy of any other EU country must help you on the same terms as its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- The app has emergency phrases in Filipino, ready to show on screen, although English is widely spoken.
Philippines travel-safety page →
Questions travellers ask about the Philippines
Do I have to register a SIM?
A Philippine SIM, yes, with your passport, and tourist registrations last 30 days. A travel eSIM is installed before you fly, without a visit to a SIM counter.
Is there coverage on the islands?
In the towns, yes; on boats and remote beaches, often not.
Which networks does a Telcomia eSIM use in the Philippines?
Smart on most plans, and Globe on some, with 4G and 5G where available.
What is the emergency number?
911, for the police, an ambulance or the fire service.
The short version
Fill in eTravel before you land, install the eSIM before you fly, take cash and a dry bag to the islands, watch the typhoon warnings, and save 911.
See plans for the Philippines →
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