How To Hire In The Philippines Without Setting Up A Local Entity

Hiring talent across borders sounds exciting at first. But the moment paperwork enters the picture, excitement often turns into confusion. Labour rules feel unfamiliar. Payroll rules feel complicated. Local filings feel overwhelming. This challenge becomes very real when hiring in the Philippines, where employment rules are detailed and closely monitored.

Many companies face the same question at this stage. How to hire legally without opening a local company? How to pay employees correctly? How to stay aligned with government rules without building an entire HR department from scratch?

This is where the idea of using an employer of record Philippines solution comes into focus. Instead of managing everything alone, businesses work with a partner that already understands local employment laws, payroll systems, and compliance needs. This approach allows companies to focus on people and performance, not paperwork.

Before choosing a partner, it helps to know what really matters. Not every provider works the same way. Some offer a deeper local presence. Some rely more on technology. Some focus on speed. Others focus on control. Understanding these differences makes decision-making clearer.

Key Takeaways

• Hiring in the Philippines involves detailed labour laws, statutory contributions, and payroll rules, making local compliance knowledge essential for any international employer.
• An employer of record Philippines solution allows companies to hire legally without setting up a local entity or building an in-house HR team.
• Key factors when choosing an EOR include local presence, compliance expertise, payroll accuracy, transparent pricing, and responsive customer support.
• Providers differ in approach, some operate through wholly owned entities, while others use partner models, affecting control and response speed.
• Leading EOR providers such as Multiplier, Playroll, Deel, Remote, G-P, Papaya Global, Skuad, Oyster HR, Pebl, and Atlas offer varying strengths depending on business size and expansion goals.
• Among them, Multiplier stands out for its owned Philippine entities, compliant-by-design platform, transparent pricing, and continuous human support, making global hiring simpler and more reliable.

What Should You Consider When Choosing An Employer Of Record In The Philippines?

Choosing the right EOR is not just about convenience. It affects employee experience, compliance safety, and day-to-day operations. Several practical factors deserve close attention.

Local Compliance And Regulatory Understanding

Philippine employment rules involve multiple government bodies. Handling SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, BIR taxes, and DOLE rules requires precision.

An effective employer of record Philippines partner:

• Understands payroll contributions fully
• Follows DOLE employment rules correctly
• Keeps track of tax responsibilities
• Manages filings without delays

Mistakes in compliance often lead to penalties or employee dissatisfaction. Strong local expertise reduces these risks.

Wholly Owned Entity Vs Partner Model

Some EOR providers operate through their own legal entity. Others work through local partners.

Wholly owned models usually offer:

• Better control
• Faster issue resolution
• Clear accountability

Partner models can still work, but response times and ownership clarity may vary.

On-The-Ground Presence

A local team inside the Philippines matters more than it seems. Payroll questions, contribution updates, and DOLE communications often need hands-on support.

A Philippines-based presence helps with:

• Faster response to employee concerns
• Accurate handling of government updates
• Smoother payroll operations

Technology And Platform Capabilities

Strong systems reduce manual work. Good platforms simplify daily tasks for both employers and employees.

Useful platform features include:

• Simple onboarding workflows
• Leave tracking
• Expense management
• Automated payroll
• Integration with HR and finance tools

Technology should make work easier, not more confusing.

Pricing Transparency

Hidden costs create long-term frustration. Clear pricing avoids future disputes.

A reliable provider explains:

• EOR service fees
• Statutory contribution handling
• FX markups
• Benefits costs
• Onboarding and offboarding charges

Clear pricing supports better planning.

Payroll Accuracy And Reliability

Philippine payroll follows specific rules. These include holiday pay handling, night differential calculations, and 13th-month pay.

A dependable EOR partner ensures:

• Accurate payroll calculations
• Timely salary payments
• Correct statutory deductions

Payroll mistakes quickly damage trust.

Customer Support Responsiveness

Fast responses matter when deadlines approach. Especially during filings or compliance processes.

Strong support includes:

• Quick replies
• Knowledgeable local teams
• Clear guidance

Support quality often separates good providers from average ones.

Leading Employer Of Record Providers In The Philippines In 2026

Several providers support compliant hiring in the Philippines. Each brings different strengths depending on company size, hiring speed, and operational needs.

1. Multiplier

Multiplier supports global hiring through a precision-built platform designed for managing teams across borders. The platform combines EOR, COR, global payroll, and HR tools into one system.

Key highlights include:

• Operations across 150+ countries
• Fully owned local entities
• Compliant-by-design architecture
• Human-first support available at all times
• Clear, and flat pricing with no hidden charges

Multiplier handles payroll in local currency, manages statutory contributions, and supports onboarding without long delays. The platform focuses on accuracy, compliance, and employee experience.

Built to scale, Multiplier works for startups and large organisations alike, offering peace of mind when expanding into the Philippines.

2. Playroll

Playroll operates globally with strong local expertise in the Philippines. The platform supports fast onboarding and automated payroll workflows.

Notable strengths include:

• Transparent pricing
• AI-supported compliance checks
• Deep understanding of DOLE regulations
• Support for night differentials and wage updates
• Responsive support coverage

The team works closely with local specialists to manage compliance details effectively.

3. Deel

Deel operates through its own Philippine entity. The platform offers employment contracts, payroll handling, and statutory contribution management.

Key features include:

• Strong automation
• Wide integrations ecosystem
• Benefits management options
• Modern user experience

Deel is often chosen for its platform capabilities and global reach.

4. Remote

Remote provides compliant hiring support through automated systems. The platform focuses on ease of use and modern HR workflows.

Core offerings include:

• Automated onboarding
• Payroll processing
• Benefits handling
• Statutory contribution management

Remote emphasises simplicity and reliable compliance support.

5. G-P (Globalization Partners)

G-P focuses on enterprise-level hiring needs. The provider supports structured processes and risk management.

Services include:

• Employment contracts
• Payroll and benefits
• Expense handling
• Termination support

Well-suited for larger organisations seeking strong governance.

6. Papaya Global

Papaya Global offers payroll and EOR services with a strong focus on automation and analytics.

Key aspects include:

• Centralised payroll visibility
• Compliance workflows
• Business intelligence reporting

This platform suits teams managing payroll across multiple regions.

7. Skuad

Skuad supports compliant employment with predictable pricing and simple workflows.

Strengths include:

• Payroll support
• Benefits administration
• Statutory compliance
• Straightforward platform design

Often selected for its simplicity.

8. Oyster HR

Oyster HR operates directly in the Philippines. The platform focuses on compliance, documentation, and cost clarity.

Offerings include:

• Payroll processing
• Statutory contributions
• Transparent pricing
• Support for distributed teams

A practical choice for companies prioritising documentation accuracy.

9. Pebl (Formerly Velocity Global)

Pebl provides long-standing EOR services with a focus on risk management.

Key services include:

• Employment compliance
• Benefits administration
• Enterprise-ready processes

Trusted by organisations scaling across regions.

10. Atlas

Atlas operates as a direct employer platform with local entities.

Noted for:

• Fast onboarding
• Direct local control
• Compliance-first approach

Often used by mid-market and enterprise teams.

Conclusion

Hiring in the Philippines offers strong opportunities, but only when done right. Employment rules, payroll calculations, and compliance details leave little room for guesswork. The right employer of record Philippines partner removes friction from the process and brings clarity where complexity once existed.

Among the available options, Multiplier stands out as a platform built specifically for global teams. With owned entities, compliant-by-design systems, transparent pricing, and round-the-clock human support, Multiplier offers a dependable path for businesses expanding into the Philippines.

Rather than managing legal structures and administrative burdens, teams can focus on growth, collaboration, and long-term success. Multiplier helps make global hiring feel simple, controlled, and reliable, exactly what growing companies need when building teams in the Philippines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an employer of record Philippines service handle?
An employer of record Philippines service manages employment contracts, compliant payroll, statutory contributions, tax filings, benefits administration, and ongoing adherence to Philippine labour laws on your behalf.

Why is local presence important for EOR providers in the Philippines?
Local presence ensures faster resolution of payroll issues, accurate handling of government updates, smoother communication with authorities, and better support for employees working under Philippine regulations.

How does payroll differ in the Philippines compared to other countries?
Philippine payroll includes country-specific requirements such as holiday pay rules, night shift differentials, 13th-month pay, and mandatory contributions to SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG.

Is Multiplier suitable for growing international teams hiring in the Philippines?
Yes, Multiplier supports fast-scaling global teams through owned Philippine entities, compliant payroll systems, transparent pricing, and continuous human support designed for long-term international expansion.

How does Multiplier ensure compliance with Philippine employment laws?
Multiplier operates through fully owned local entities, applies compliant-by-design systems, monitors regulatory changes, and manages statutory filings to ensure full alignment with Philippine employment regulations.