Philippines: plugs, voltage, currency, time & travel facts

Plugs and voltage

The Philippines uses Types A and B sockets; Type C is also found. Mains supply is 230 V at 60 Hz.

Most sockets accept US-style Type A plugs, and many accept Type C too, but the supply is 220–230 V: US devices that are not dual-voltage need a converter.

At 230 V, devices made only for 100–127 V (many American and Japanese hair dryers, curling irons and some shavers) will be damaged without a step-down converter. Chargers labelled “100–240V” work fine with just a plug adapter.

Adapter guides: from United States · from Canada · from Australia

Money

₱ Philippine Peso PHP

Reference rates, 2026-10-30 (ECB)
1 USD	63.68 PHP
1 EUR	71.14 PHP
1 GBP	85.32 PHP
1 JPY	0.4050 PHP

Philippine Peso: where it's used and rates

Price level 36 (US = 100, 2025)

Everyday household prices in the Philippines are about 36% of US prices when converted at market exchange rates: cheaper than the median country (50). All countries

Language

Englishofficial64%
Filipinoofficial60%

Also official in some regions: Cebuano, Iloko, Hiligaynon, Waray, Pangasinan, mdh, tsg.

Bars show the share of the population that speaks each language (CLDR estimates).

Time

UTC+8

The Philippines is on UTC+8, with no daylight saving time.

Driving

Traffic in the Philippines drives on the right, so the steering wheel is on the left.

Public holidays in the next 12 months

20 national public holidays from 2 November 2026. Banks, offices and many shops close; regional holidays are not shown. Dates marked “estimated” follow a lunar calendar and can move by a day.