Bahamas vs Philippines: which nomad visa wins?
Both have similar income bars, Philippines is lighter on tax, and Philippinesis cheaper day to day. Here's the full breakdown — then model it with your own income.
Updated June 2026 · figures in USD for a single applicant.
| Metric | 🇧🇸 Bahamas | 🇵🇭 Philippines |
|---|---|---|
| Income needed (single) | Flexible | Flexible |
| Tax on foreign income | 0% | 0% |
| Special tax regime | — | — |
| Path to citizenship | No residency path | No residency path |
| Comfortable budget (solo) | $3,517/mo | $1,327/mo |
| Visa length | 1 year | 1 year |
| Safety index | 60/100 | 55/100 |
| Internet | 90 Mbps | 95 Mbps |
| English | Very high | Very high |
| Region | Caribbean | Asia-Pacific |
See it with your numbers
Set your household, how you earn and your income — both countries recompute live.
Optional — unlocks age- and savings-gated visas (retirement, youth-mobility, golden visas).
Live — adjust who's going, how you earn and your income above and both columns update.
Effective tax at different incomes
Approximate all-in rate for a solo employee who becomes tax-resident.
| Monthly income | 🇧🇸 Bahamas | 🇵🇭 Philippines |
|---|---|---|
| $3,000/mo | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| $6,000/mo | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| $12,000/mo | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Choose 🇧🇸 Bahamas if…
Zero income tax, no income floor and US-aligned hours — the Bahamas is built for high earners who want pristine beaches without a tax bill.
- No income tax and no minimum-income requirement.
- Same time zone as the US East Coast.
- Some of the best beaches on earth.
Choose 🇵🇭 Philippines if…
A brand-new 2025 visa for the English-speaking, island-hopping nomad: tax-free and ultra-affordable — but still rolling out, so confirm it's live and what it requires before you plan around it.
- English is near-universal — almost no friction.
- Tax-free foreign income and very low costs.
- Thousands of islands and a warm culture.
Want the numbers for your income and family, with more countries?
Bahamas vs Philippines: FAQ
Is Bahamas or Philippines better for digital nomads?
Both have similar income bars, Philippines taxes foreign income more lightly, and Philippines is cheaper to live in. Neither nomad visa leads directly to citizenship.
How much income do you need for Bahamas vs Philippines?
Bahamas requires about $0/mo for a single applicant; Philippines requires about $0/mo.
Do digital nomads pay tax in Bahamas or Philippines?
Bahamas: Zero income tax for everyone — a classic tax-neutral jurisdiction. — Philippines: The visa explicitly exempts foreign-earned income from Philippine tax.
Figures are 2026 planning estimates in USD for a single applicant. Confirm details on each country's official source before applying.