How to open a salon in the Philippines (DTI, BIR, Mayor's Permit)

5/4/20267 min read

Step-by-step legal requirements for opening a salon in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao in 2026.

1. Register the business name Sole proprietorship: register your business name with DTI (around ₱200–₱2,000 depending on territorial scope). Partnership / corporation: register with SEC.

2. BIR registration Within 30 days of DTI/SEC, register with the BIR for your TIN and books of account. You'll choose between the 8% gross income tax option or the graduated rates + percentage tax.

3. Barangay Clearance + Mayor's Permit Get a Barangay Business Clearance, then apply for the Mayor's / Business Permit from your LGU. Renewed every January.

4. Sanitary Permit Required from the City Health Office. Inspectors check water source, sterilisation equipment, waste disposal and staff health certificates.

5. FDA Cosmetic Establishment Licence Only required if you retail or repack cosmetic products. Pure service salons don't need it.

6. Payment setup GCash, Maya, and InstaPay / QRPh are now the default. Most Manila salons accept GCash + a small card reader (PayMongo, HelloPaisa) + cash.

7. Cut your no-shows The Philippine market has high WhatsApp/Viber booking volume but ghosting rates of 20–30%. Switching to a real booking link with a small refundable deposit (₱200–500) typically drops no-shows below 5%.

Everything Beautifyx actually does

One place to run bookings, payments, clients, staff and marketing — built for beauty, wellness and birth professionals.

Online booking

A booking page clients can use 24/7, with deposits, reminders and no double-bookings.

Payments & checkout

Take cards, cash, tap to pay and payment links, with receipts sent automatically.

Client records

Visit history, notes, photos, consent forms and intake forms in one client file.

Marketing & reminders

Automatic appointment reminders, review requests and campaigns to past clients.

Inventory & costs

Track product use per service so you can see the real profit on every appointment.

Your own website

A booking-ready site and public profile that gets you found by new clients.

Start free, grow into the full platform

Pick the door that fits where you are today. All three lead to the same place: a business that books itself.

Claim your free profile

Free profile: add your services, photos and hours so clients can find and book you.

Price your services properly

Free calculators for pricing, profit, no-shows and commission — no account needed.

Run the whole business

Bookings, payments, clients, staff, marketing and reports. 14-day free trial, then $29.99/month with unlimited staff.

Or read it right now: 7 ways to fill your calendar next week

1. Register the business name Sole proprietorship: register your business name with **DTI** (around ₱200–₱2,000 depending on territorial scope). Partnership / corporation: register with **SEC**.

2. BIR registration Within 30 days of DTI/SEC, register with the **BIR** for your TIN and books of account. You'll choose between the 8% gross income tax option or the graduated rates + percentage tax.

3. Barangay Clearance + Mayor's Permit Get a **Barangay Business Clearance**, then apply for the **Mayor's / Business Permit** from your LGU. Renewed every January.

4. Sanitary Permit Required from the **City Health Office**. Inspectors check water source, sterilisation equipment, waste disposal and staff health certificates.

5. FDA Cosmetic Establishment Licence Only required if you **retail or repack cosmetic products**. Pure service salons don't need it.

6. Payment setup **GCash**, **Maya**, and **InstaPay / QRPh** are now the default. Most Manila salons accept GCash + a small card reader (PayMongo, HelloPaisa) + cash.