Travel vaccinations for the Philippines: recommendations, malaria and dengue

No vaccinations are required for direct travel from Germany to the Philippines. The German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) recommends hepatitis A vaccination for all travellers, along with up-to-date routine vaccinations under the STIKO schedule, Germany’s national immunisation guidance, particularly measles. For longer stays, basic travel conditions or contact with animals, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies and Japanese encephalitis should be discussed. Malaria is mainly a concern on Palawan, and dengue occurs nationwide.

Entry rules and yellow fever

According to the WHO, yellow fever is not transmitted in the Philippines. The Federal Foreign Office states that anyone arriving from a yellow fever area, or who spent more than 12 hours in transit there, must show proof of yellow fever vaccination from the age of one. This affects, for example, travellers who have been in parts of Africa or South America beforehand. The WHO list gives a different minimum age for the requirement, so if you are travelling with young children, check with the Philippine embassy in advance. More on the vaccine in our guide to yellow fever vaccination.

Recommended vaccinations by type of trip

Most visitors come to the Philippines for island hopping, beach holidays and diving, for example on Palawan, Cebu or Bohol, often with a stopover in Manila. Which vaccinations beyond hepatitis A make sense depends on how long you stay, where you sleep and what you do. The overview table on this page shows how the Federal Foreign Office classifies each vaccination.

For all travellers

Hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food and water, and the Federal Foreign Office recommends vaccination for any trip to the Philippines. Check your vaccination record for routine vaccinations as well. The Foreign Office specifically highlights protection against measles.

For long stays or particular exposure

The Federal Foreign Office recommends hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies and Japanese encephalitis vaccination based on individual circumstances. Japanese encephalitis is transmitted nationwide, particularly in June and July. Rabies is mainly spread by dogs, and vaccines are sometimes only available to a limited extent locally. Your doctor will assess whether any of these vaccinations is right for you. For a first orientation, try the travel vaccine check.

Malaria in the Philippines

According to the 2026 DTG country table and the Federal Foreign Office, there is a high year-round malaria risk in the southern third and a moderate risk in the central third of Palawan. A low risk applies to northern Palawan as well as Mindanao and some other islands such as Cebu or Busuanga. Manila and the rest of the country are considered malaria-free.

If you only stay in Manila or on malaria-free islands, mosquito protection at dusk and at night is the priority. If you are travelling to Palawan, discuss with a doctor whether preventive medication or emergency standby treatment makes sense. Our guide to malaria prevention has more detail.

Dengue, chikungunya and Zika

According to the Federal Foreign Office, dengue, chikungunya and Zika occur nationwide all year round. The viruses are spread by day-biting mosquitoes, so protection matters by day as well as at night: use repellent, light-coloured long clothing and mosquito nets. STIKO currently recommends dengue vaccination only for people aged four and over who have had a laboratory-confirmed dengue infection in the past. Zika is particularly relevant during pregnancy. Tips are in our guide to dengue and mosquito protection.

Water, flooding and hygiene

Several risks in the Philippines are directly linked to water:

• Leptospirosis: infections become more common after flooding, for example following typhoons. Avoid contact with floodwater.
• Schistosomiasis: the parasites can be transmitted even through brief contact with fresh water. Do not swim in rivers or lakes.
• Drinking water and food: drink only water from a safe source and eat food that is cooked or that you have peeled yourself.

According to the Foreign Office, tuberculosis is considerably more common nationwide than in Central Europe. If you will be in close contact with the local population, for example in a healthcare role, raise this at your consultation.

Rabies and contact with animals

Avoid contact with stray dogs, cats and monkeys. After a bite, a scratch or an animal licking broken skin, wash the area immediately with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical help straight away, even if you are vaccinated. More in our guide to rabies and travel.

Medical care in the Philippines

According to the Federal Foreign Office, medical care is generally available in Manila and other large cities, but usually not in rural areas, and the same applies to emergency services. The Foreign Office recommends travel health insurance with repatriation cover and, before a diving holiday, a diving medical check.

When to book your consultation

According to STIKO and the DTG, travel vaccinations should be completed at least two weeks before departure. Some vaccinations require several appointments, so plan early, see our travel vaccination timeline. If you are combining the Philippines with Indonesia or Vietnam, it is best to discuss the entire route in one appointment. Find a practice in our travel clinics directory.