Imagine trying to pay for an emergency hospital bill or transfer tuition fees, only to be greeted by a pop-up: "You have exceeded your transaction limit." It is a stressful scenario that happens to thousands of users every day.
GCash, like all regulated financial institutions, adheres to strict limits set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). These limits are not arbitrary; they exist to prevent money laundering and fraud. However, for a regular user, understanding these caps is essential for financial planning.
This article breaks down the complex matrix of incoming and outgoing limits so you never face a frozen account unexpectedly.
Wallet Size vs. Transaction Limits
It is important to distinguish between "Wallet Size" and "Transaction Limits."
Wallet Size: This is the maximum amount of money you can hold in your account at any single moment. If your limit is PHP 100,000, you cannot have PHP 100,001 in the app.
Incoming Limit: The total amount of money that can enter your account in a month.
Outgoing Limit: The total amount you can spend or transfer in a day or month.
Limits by User Level
Your limits depend entirely on your verification status. This is the primary incentive for users to upgrade from Basic to Fully Verified.
1. Basic User (Unverified)
This level is extremely restrictive and is mostly intended for users who just want to buy load.
Wallet Size: PHP 50,000
Daily Outgoing: PHP (Restricted - cannot send money)
Monthly Incoming: PHP 10,000
Monthly Outgoing: PHP 10,000
Analysis: A monthly incoming limit of 10k is insufficient for most adults. One remittance from abroad could max this out immediately.
2. Fully Verified User
This is the standard tier for most Filipinos.
Wallet Size: PHP 100,000
Daily Outgoing: PHP 100,000
Monthly Incoming: PHP 100,000
Monthly Outgoing: No specific cap (limited by daily cap and balance).
3. GCash Plus / Enterprise
For business owners or heavy users, these limits can be lifted further by linking specific bank accounts (like BPI or UnionBank) or applying for a merchant account.
Wallet Size: PHP 500,000
Daily Outgoing: PHP 100,000 (can be higher for merchants)
Monthly Incoming: PHP 500,000
Detailed Breakdown of Incoming Limits
Incoming limits are often where users get stuck. "Incoming" includes all sources of funds entering your wallet.
What counts towards the Monthly Incoming Limit?
Cash-ins from 7-Eleven, remittance centers, or banks.
Peer-to-peer transfers (money sent by friends).
PayPal or Payoneer transfers.
Payroll received via GCash.
The "Stuck Money" Scenario: If you have a Monthly Incoming Limit of PHP 100,000 and you have already received PHP 95,000 this month, and someone tries to send you PHP 6,000, the transaction will fail. The sender will see an error, and you will not receive the funds until the 1st of the next month.
Detailed Breakdown of Outgoing Limits
Outgoing limits dictate how much you can spend.
Transaction Type | Basic User | Fully Verified |
|---|---|---|
Buy Load | Allowed | Allowed |
Pay Bills | Allowed | Allowed |
Send Money (Express Send) | Blocked | Allowed |
Bank Transfer | Blocked | Allowed |
GInvest | Blocked | Allowed |
Daily vs. Monthly Outgoing: Unlike the incoming limit which is strictly monthly, outgoing limits are often daily. You might be able to send PHP 100,000 in one day, but you cannot exceed your wallet balance.
Reset Times
Knowing when your limits reset is crucial for cash flow.
Daily Limits: Reset at 12:00 MN (Midnight) every day.
Monthly Limits: Reset on the 1st day of the calendar month.
Example: If you max out your PHP 100,000 incoming limit on October 25th, you cannot receive a single centavo until November 1st.
How to Increase Your Limits
If you find the PHP 100,000 limit suffocating, you have options to increase your wallet size and incoming limit to PHP 500,000.
Link a Bank Account: Linking a BPI or UnionBank account historically triggers a profile upgrade to the 500k tier.
GCash Pro: Check your profile for the "GCash Pro" or "Entrepreneur" settings. This requires submitting business documents (DTI/SEC registration).
Maintain Good Activity: Frequent usage and a high GScore sometimes trigger automatic limit increases offered by the platform.
Conclusion
GCash limits are not static; they grow as your relationship with the app deepens. For the average user, the Fully Verified status (100k limit) is sufficient. However, for freelancers and business owners, understanding the Monthly Incoming Limit is critical.
Always track your usage in the Profile > Limits section of the app. Being proactive about your remaining limit prevents the embarrassment of declined payments and ensures your digital wallet remains a convenient tool rather than a bottleneck.