How much is the Philippine travel tax in 2026, and who pays it?

Booked a seat sale to Japan or Bangkok? Before you get to the airport, there is one more cost many first-time travellers forget: the Philippine travel tax. Here is exactly how much it is in 2026, who pays a reduced rate or nothing at all, and how to sort it out online so you skip the queue at NAIA.

Travel tax Philippines 2026 rates

These are the rates on the official TIEZA travel tax page:

Type	Economy class	First class
Full travel tax	PHP 1,620	PHP 2,700
Standard reduced rate (for example children 2 to 12)	PHP 810	PHP 1,350
Privileged reduced rate (qualified dependents of OFWs)	PHP 300	PHP 400

The travel tax is a levy on people leaving the country, under Presidential Decree 1183. TIEZA collects it, and the money is shared between TIEZA, CHED (tourism-related higher education) and the NCCA (culture and the arts).

Check your ticket first. Some tickets already include the travel tax. If it appears in your ticket’s tax breakdown, you do not pay it again.

Travel tax for children

• Infants 2 years old and below: exempt.
• Minors from 2 years and one day up to the 12th birthday on the day of travel: standard reduced rate, PHP 810 in economy.

Bring the child’s original passport. If you cannot present it, TIEZA accepts the original birth certificate plus a photocopy of the passport’s identification page.

Who is exempt from the travel tax?

The main groups exempt under Section 2 of PD 1183, as listed by TIEZA:

• Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)
• Filipino permanent residents abroad whose stay in the Philippines is less than one year
• Infants 2 years old and below
• Balikbayans who have been continuously out of the Philippines for at least one year, with proof from their passport stamps and ticket

TIEZA’s exemption page also lists diplomats, United Nations staff, athletes travelling with the Philippine Sports Commission and Balik Scientist awardees, among others, each with its own documents. In every case you need your original passport.

How to pay the travel tax or apply for an exemption online

TIEZA runs online services that are available 24/7:

1. Exemption certificate (TEC): apply online with a scanned 2x2 photo (taken in the last six months, JPG), your passport’s identification page and your flight booking, plus any documents specific to your category.
2. Reduced rate (RTT): apply online with the documents for your group, such as the child’s passport.
3. Timing matters: TIEZA processes online applications within one day of receiving complete documents, and your flight must be at least one day after your online application. If it is sooner, you have to apply onsite at a TIEZA Travel Tax Office or airport counter.

Paid the full rate but qualify for a reduced one? You can claim a refund of the excess onsite at a TIEZA office or airport counter.

Don’t forget eTravel (it’s free)

Separately from the travel tax, outbound Filipinos register on eTravel, the government’s Philippine Travel Information System. According to the Bureau of Immigration’s rules, register between 72 hours and 3 hours before your departure at etravel.gov.ph (or through the eGovPH app), then save the QR code to show at check-in.

eTravel is free. Any website asking you to pay for eTravel is not the official one.

Quick pre-flight checklist

• Is the travel tax already in your ticket? Check the tax lines.
• Exempt or reduced? Apply online at least a day before the flight.
• eTravel done within 72 hours of departure, QR code saved.
• Passport valid for your destination’s rules (often six months).

Ready to book? Start with our visa-free city breaks: Singapore from Manila and Hong Kong from Manila.

Planning where to go? Our sister site TripKompass has day-by-day plans for popular cities across Asia.