Foreign Ownership of Islands in Philippines, Asia

Foreigners are not allowed to buy islands in the Philippines because they are regarded as national assets. Land ownership is restricted to Filipinos. Foreigners can only buy islands in the Philippines through certain loopholes including marriage, incorporation, or through a lease. And these options mean that on paper, you aren’t the actual owner. However, if you’re working with people you trust, than you are protected to some extent.

The safest way to take possession of an island in the Philippines is by leasing a property. Provided the legal documentation has been handled by a competent lawyer, this is a good way of controlling property. A leasehold is essentially purchasing an island for a specific period of time like 90 years. Upon completion of the leasehold, the island is returned to the state or the original owner. Buyers may feel insecure about improving and living on land they don't own, buildings can be owned irrespective of who owns the land the building is on.

It is possible to own an island in the Philippines if you put the property in the name of your Filipino spouse. However, if problems arise, the foreign owner is at the mercy of the Filipino spouse who legally owns the property.

The last option for owning an island involves forming a paper company. A corporation can own land, and you can own up to 40 percent of the corporation. If the corporation is set up diligently, you can control the entire corporation, thereby effectively owning an island. One person alone cannot incorporate a company; you will require Filipino incorporator who will technically own sixty percent of your company, and your island.

Regional Statistics for Philippines, Asia

Location:

Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam

Population:

89,468,677

Languages:

Filipino (official), English (official),Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, Pangasinan

Capital:

Manila

Currency:

Philippine Peso

Climate:

tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)

Temperature Range:

+10 to +35

Terrain:

mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands

Natural Hazards:

stride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis