International Investments in the Philippines: A Guide for Filipino Investors

When I first started my investing journey a few years ago, I was like many Filipino investors who were focused entirely on local options. I had mutual funds, a few blue-chip stocks, and even tried real estate. But after some eye-opening experiences (and missed opportunities), I started exploring international investments. And let me tell you, it changed my perspective on growing wealth.

If you’ve ever thought “Pang-mayaman lang ‘yan” when you hear about investing abroad, this is article is especially for you. In this blog post, I’ll break down why international investments in the Philippines would be a good addition to your portfolio. We’ll go through what they are, how to get started even if you’re on a budget, the pros and cons, and how I personally fit global investing into my strategy as a Filipino.

Contents:

International Investments in the Philippines: How Do They Work for Filipinos?
Top reasons to invest internationally as a Filipino
How to start investing internationally in the Philippines
Advantages and disadvantages of international investments
Can You Invest Internationally With Just P1,000?
FAQS

International Investments in the Philippines: How Do They Work for Filipinos?

Let’s start with the basics. International investments are financial assets you put money into outside your home country — in our case, outside the Philippines. This can include:

Stocks from companies in the US, Europe, or Asia (like Apple, Tesla, Alibaba, etc.)
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track indexes like the S&P 500 or global sectors
Bonds issued by foreign governments or corporations
Real estate abroad
Mutual funds with international exposure
Cryptocurrencies (often considered international since they’re decentralized)

For years, many Pinoy investors didn’t consider these options because they felt too risky or complicated. But times are changing fast.

Top Reasons to Invest Internationally as a Filipino

Here’s what made me shift part of my portfolio abroad:

1. Global Diversification Reduces Risk

The Philippine stock market is relatively small and easily affected by local events. By investing internationally, you spread your risk across different economies and industries.

For example, during the pandemic, the PSEi dropped significantly but my global ETFs helped balance my portfolio and even gave me gains during recovery periods.

2. Higher Growth Potential in International Markets

Historically, major markets like the US have offered higher long-term returns. The S&P 500 averages around 10-11% annually, while the PSEi lags behind at 6-7%. Over time, that performance gap can translate into big gains.

3. Invest in Global Brands You Already Use

If you’re already spending on Amazon, Netflix, or using an iPhone, why not invest in the companies behind them?

4. Protection Against Peso Depreciation

As of 2025, the peso is trading around P57 to P58 per US dollar. If the peso weakens, your dollar-denominated assets increase in value. This makes global investments a smart way to hedge against inflation and currency depreciation.

How to Start Investing Internationally in the Philippines

Here’s a step-by-step look at how I got started in global investing:

Step 1: Choose a Trusted Platform for International Investing

Here are platforms, some of which I have explored and used:

Interactive Brokers (IBKR) – Known for its advanced trading tools and access to over 150 markets globally, IBKR is ideal for Filipino investors seeking broad diversification. It supports multi-currency accounts, offers competitive fees, and is well-suited for long-term investors who want access to U.S., Asian, and European markets.
TD Ameritrade – A top U.S. brokerage known for zero-commission trading on U.S. stocks and ETFs, along with a vast library of educational content. While it’s a solid platform, Filipinos may need to submit additional documents and navigate currency transfer limitations during the account setup process.
TradeStation – Built for active traders, TradeStation provides powerful charting tools, real-time market data, and in-depth analytics for stocks, options, and futures. It’s best for intermediate to advanced users who want to analyze U.S. stocks using both fundamental and technical indicators.
GoTrade – A beginner-friendly mobile platform that lets you invest in U.S. stocks for as little as $1. GoTrade supports fractional shares, requires no minimum deposit, and offers an intuitive user interface — perfect for Filipinos who want to start small and learn as they go.

Step 2: Fund Your Account in Pesos or Dollars

Many platforms now allow you to fund your account using GCash, bank transfer, or credit/debit cards. I started with $500 (around P20,000 at the time), which I treated as “tuition money” to learn the ropes.

Step 3: Start with Global ETFs for Safe Exposure

ETFs are a great starting point. Some of the most known ones are the ff:

VOO – Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (tracks top 500 US companies)
VT – Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (global exposure)
ARKK – ARK Innovation ETF (thematic tech investments)

I added individual stocks later as I gained confidence.

Tip: If you’re looking for a beginner’s guide to investing internationally and some helpful infographics, check out our article: International Investing in the Philippines: A Beginner’s Guide

Advantages of International Investments in the Philippines

When I first dipped my toes into global investing, I honestly just wanted to try something new — I didn’t realize how many advantages it would bring. One of the biggest things I noticed early on was the stronger long-term growth compared to my local investments. For example, while some of my Philippine stocks were crawling along, my U.S. ETFs were steadily growing, even with market fluctuations.

Another thing I love about investing abroad is the diversification it brings. When your money is spread across different countries and industries, you’re not putting all your eggs in one (Philippine) basket. I saw this clearly during local economic dips — while some of my local holdings were in the red, my international assets helped balance things out. It gave me a sense of stability I hadn’t felt before.

There’s also the exciting part: access to booming global industries that aren’t as strong or accessible here — like AI, electric vehicles, biotech, and clean energy. And then there’s the exchange rate. Every time the peso drops against the dollar (which, let’s be honest, happens often), my dollar-denominated investments actually become more valuable. It’s like an invisible boost to my portfolio.

Disadvantages of International Investments Philippines

Of course, it’s not all sunshine and dollar signs — international investing comes with its own set of challenges too, and I’ve definitely had to learn some of them the hard way.

First off, currency fluctuations can work both ways. While I mentioned earlier how a weaker peso can boost the value of my dollar investments, the opposite can happen too. There were a few months when the peso got stronger and I noticed my portfolio’s value (in peso terms) dip a bit. It was a little frustrating, especially when I was just starting out and checking my apps too often. But over time, I learned to zoom out and focus on the long-term trend instead of short-term swings.

Then there’s the issue of fees. Most international platforms charge in USD, so aside from transaction costs, you’ll also need to deal with conversion fees when you transfer money from your local bank.

Lastly, the learning curve is real. U.S. markets move differently than ours — more news-driven, more volatile at times, and with a much wider range of stocks and ETFs. At first, it felt overwhelming. I had to learn new terms, understand earnings reports. I still do not consider myself an expert on these but the more I studied and watched how global markets behaved, the more confident I became.

So yes, international investing has its hurdles — but for me, the growth I’ve seen (both financially and in terms of learning) has made it worth it. As long as you’re willing to do your homework and start with small, intentional steps, you’ll get the hang of it faster than you think.

Can You Invest Internationally With Just P1,000?

Yes, absolutely. Platforms like GInvest and Seedbox let you invest in global mutual funds or feeder funds for as low as P50 or P1,000. These funds are managed by professionals and give you exposure to foreign markets.

For example, I’ve noticed that ATRAM Global Technology Feeder Fund is one of the crowd favorites. It lets you invest in top tech companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Alphabet through GCash.

Frequently Asked Questions: International Investing in the Philippines

1. Is investing internationally legal for Filipinos?

Yes, Filipinos are allowed to invest overseas. Make sure you use legitimate platforms and report your income properly if it becomes substantial.

2. Do I need a dollar account to invest internationally?

No, not always. Some platforms allow you to deposit in pesos and automatically convert it into USD.

3. What about taxes on foreign investments?

US dividends are usually taxed at 30%, but some platforms allow you to submit a W-8BEN form to reduce it to 15%. For capital gains, consult a tax advisor if your earnings are significant.

4. Can I lose money with global investments?

Yes, as with any investment, there’s risk. But by starting small and diversifying, you can manage that risk over time.

International Investments in the Philippines: Is it good for you?

If you’re looking for a beginner’s guide to investing internationally and some helpful infographics, check out our article: International Investing in the Philippines: A Beginner’s Guide.

Now, if you’re already investing locally, you might want to consider global exposure. With inflation, currency depreciation, and the limitations of our small market, going global is no longer just optional but it’s also strategic. Of course, you should conduct your due diligence and should not take my word as a financial advice.

You don’t need to be rich. You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to start. And remember, even small steps — like putting P5,000 into a global fund — can build momentum toward financial freedom.

Have you started investing internationally? Or are you still considering it? Let’s chat in the comments. I’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, or even hesitations. We’re all learning and building wealth together.