SIM cards and eSIMs in the Philippines

Quick answer

• Networks: Globe and Smart are the big two; DITO is the newer third network.
• Registration is the law: every SIM and local eSIM must be registered, and tourists need a passport, a Philippine address and a ticket out.
• 30 days: a tourist-registered SIM expires after 30 days unless you show an approved visa extension.
• Where to buy: Globe and Smart counters at the main airports, or their stores and authorised sellers in town.
• Travel eSIMs from international providers work too and are set up before you fly.

The short answer

Getting online in the Philippines is cheap and easy. You can buy a local SIM card or eSIM from Globe or Smart, the two main networks, or set up an international travel eSIM before you leave home.

The one thing that surprises visitors is the paperwork. Since the SIM Registration Act of 2022, every SIM in the country has to be registered before it works, and SIMs registered by tourists only last 30 days.

Registering a SIM as a tourist

To register a local SIM or eSIM as a tourist, you need:

• Your passport, including the page with your arrival stamp
• Proof of an address in the Philippines, such as a hotel booking
• A return ticket or any ticket showing when you leave the Philippines

Registration is free. At airport counters and network stores, staff usually walk you through it. If you buy elsewhere, you register online through the network’s own registration page.

The 30-day rule

A SIM registered by a tourist is valid for 30 days and is then deactivated automatically. It can be extended only if you show an approved visa extension. Foreigners with other kinds of visas register with their own documents and don’t have the 30-day limit.

This is separate from your data bundle. A 15-day data package still ends after 15 days, even though the SIM itself runs for 30.

Where to buy

• At the airport: Globe and Smart run counters at the main international airports, including Manila’s NAIA. It is the easiest option, though not always the cheapest.
• In town: network stores in malls and authorised sellers sell prepaid SIMs. Bring the same documents.
• eSIM from a local network: Globe and Smart both sell eSIMs for tourists. They still need registration, and Globe’s Traveler eSIM prompts you to register once you arrive. Check that your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM.

International travel eSIMs

International eSIM providers sell data plans for the Philippines that you install before you fly, so you have data the moment you land. They run on the local networks.

They are a good choice for short trips. The trade-off is that you get data only, without a local phone number, and some local services and apps send codes to a Philippine number.

Tips for staying connected

• Coverage varies by island. Cities and main tourist areas are well covered, but signal can be weak on remote beaches, in the mountains and out at sea. Ask your resort which network works best there.
• Download offline maps and your bookings before island-hopping days.
• Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafes and malls, but speeds vary, especially on small islands.
• Keep your home SIM for bank verification codes, using a dual-SIM or eSIM phone if you can.

Frequently asked questions

Do tourists need to register a SIM card in the Philippines?

Yes. Under the SIM Registration Act every SIM, including eSIMs from local networks, must be registered before it works. Tourists register with their passport, proof of an address in the Philippines such as a hotel booking, and a return or onward ticket.

How long does a tourist SIM last?

A SIM registered by a tourist is valid for 30 days and then deactivates automatically. It can be extended if you present an approved visa extension. Your data bundle may run out sooner, since bundles have their own validity.

Globe or Smart?

Both cover the cities and the main tourist areas. Coverage differs island by island, so if you are heading somewhere remote, ask your resort which network works best there.

Can I buy a SIM at Manila airport?

Yes. Globe and Smart have counters at NAIA, and staff can help you register on the spot. Have your passport, hotel booking and onward ticket ready.

Is an international travel eSIM a good idea?

For a short trip, often yes: you install it before you fly and have data the moment you land. You won't get a local phone number, which some local apps and services ask for.