Detailed comparison
| Side-by-side comparison of taxation, cost of living and scores between the two countries. |  France | |
|---|---|---|
| Taxation | ||
| Dividend tax | 31.4% | 0%, Edge to this country |
| Capital gains tax | 31.4% | 0%, Edge to this country |
| Corporate tax | 25%, Tie | 25%, Tie |
| Wealth tax | Yes, IFI (real estate only) | None |
| Direct inheritance | 45%Scale5-45% | 6%, Edge to this country |
| Cost and real estate | ||
| Monthly FIRE budget | €2,700 | €1,500, Edge to this country |
| Cost-of-living score | 38.5 | 84.6, Edge to this country |
| Reference city | Paris | Manille |
| City-center 2-bed rent | €2,450 | €500, Edge to this country |
| Safety and FIRE score | ||
| Insecurity | 2.0, Edge to this country | 2.1 |
| FIRE Ultimate V3 score | 64.6 | 92.6, Edge to this country |
Verdict
- The Philippines lead on the taxation of foreign income (0% for a foreign resident versus 31.4% in France, more than €125,600 compounded over ten years on €40,000 a year in dividends), the simplicity of the SRRV visa granting indefinite stay, and the widespread use of English.
- France keeps the edge on the depth of its healthcare system for serious cases, membership of the European Union, and the absence of major climate risk, where the Philippines impose distance, a typhoon season, an estate tax of 6%, and the impossibility for a foreigner to own land.
- Verdict: the Philippines for FIRE investors and retirees eligible for the SRRV who want territorial taxation, English, and a low cost of living, comfortable with a condominium and a healthcare evacuation plan; France for those who favor a complete healthcare system and a European anchor.
Frequently asked questions about this duel
Are the Philippines taxed less than France for an investor?
Very clearly so on foreign income. A foreign resident in the Philippines is taxed only on Philippine-sourced income: foreign dividends and capital gains are at 0%, against a flat-rate withholding of 31.4% in France. On €40,000 a year in dividends, the gap reaches €12,560 a year. The nuance is a Philippine estate tax of 6%. Sources: PwC 2026 and the 2026 Social Security Financing Act.
Is the SRRV visa easy to obtain from France?
Yes, it is one of the simplest indefinite-stay visas in Asia. Since the reform of 1 September 2025, it has been open from age 40, with a refundable bank deposit of $15,000 to $50,000 depending on age and pension, and it waives the annual immigration report. Source: Philippine Retirement Authority, 2026.
Can a French national buy a home in the Philippines?
Only a condominium unit, never land, which the Constitution forbids to foreigners. Condominium ownership is capped at 40% of the units in a building, and land remains accessible through a lease of up to 99 years. This is a major difference from France. Source: Philippine Constitution, 2026.