Living and working in Singapore
Singapore offers fantastic opportunities for those looking to enhance both their CV and their life experience. With incredibly high standards of living, a reputation for business excellence and a truly cosmopolitan outlook, the transition from Europe to Singapore is surprisingly easy.
We have put together some information about living and working in Singapore to help you decide whether to consider making the move. If you want to know more, please get in touch.
The essentials
Visa requirements
A visa is necessary to allow anyone from outside the country to work in Singapore. As a multicultural country whose economy is growing, attracting people to move to Singapore from abroad is essential, and consequently the process is fairly quick and straightforward.
There are four types of visa which will allow work, of which the Employment Pass, or EP, is the most relevant. It is usually issued for one or two years at a time, and renewable thereafter. EP’s are tied to your employment, so if you change jobs, you would need to reapply. In order to qualify for an EP, you will need to satisfy the following requirements:
- a fixed salary of more than SGD 2,500 a month
- a degree from a reputable university
- professional experience which must be relevant to your proposed employment
There is no set quota limit, each application will be approved based on the credentials of the individual applicant and employing company.
Employment Pass holders can apply for a family visa, called a Dependent Pass. These are automatically approved if the EP application is approved, and the expiry date will be the same.
How to apply:
A list of documents required and the application form can be found online www.mom.gov.sg You can apply online or by post, and the process can take anywhere between 2 – 6 weeks.
Where to live
As with every major city, there is a huge range of accommodation available to rent, depending on your budget and requirements. Prices depend on location, size, type, furnishings and facilities available. Initial leases usually require commitment for one or two years. The standard practices is to pay a deposit equal to one month's rent as well as two months of rent in advance.
Housing and Development Board accommodation, Singapore’s public housing, is the most affordable option, with excellent transport links and local amenities servicing the estates.
Private apartments range from basic two bedroom condos close to the CBD complete with facilities such as a gym, swimming pool, tennis court to luxurious penthouse apartments. At the top end, large bungalows with gardens can be rented in prime districts for upwards of SGD 30,000 a month.
There are lots of online resources available for researching housing prices and availability, such as www.propertyguru.com.sg, www.iproperty.com.sg and some specifically for ex-pats, such as www.singaporeexpats.com There are many lettings agencies who can help you start your search before you leave.
If you’re moving over on your own, it is common to flat-share initially in order to keep costs down, and this option is also good to help build a social network during your first months living in Singapore.
Bills are generally not included, so you’ll need to set up accounts with utility providers, some of which will also require a deposit.
Transport
Singapore is renowned for its efficient, inexpensive, clean public transport, which makes every area easily accessible.
- MRT – Mass Rapid Transit system Singapore’s urban train system is a modern, clean, cheap and safe way of getting around.
- Taxi’s – are comfortable, hassle-free and reasonably priced. There are well marked taxi stands, they can be flagged down or booked in advance.
- Buses – one of the cheapest ways of getting around, the bus network is extensive and extremely frequent.
Going further afield
Singapore’s position in the heart of South East Asia means it’s easy to get out and explore the region if you’re not already familiar with it. Peninsula Malaysia, Borneo, Thailand, and Indonesia are all very accessible.
- Trains – it’s possible to get trains from Singapore to Malaysia and Thailand. Prices are extremely reasonable, and comfortable overnight trains serve long-distance destinations.
- Air. Singapore’s Changi airport is vast, efficient and organised. Many international routes pass through Singapore, giving ex-pats plenty of options for flights to Europe, Asia, Australasia and the Americas.
- Boat. Ferries can be taken to closer holiday destinations in Asia, such as Indonesia, which is popular with the locals for a weekend or holiday destination.
Healthcare
Singapore’s medical standards are excellent, and are amongst the best in Asia, with a combination of private and public hospitals and specialist clinics. You can choose which provider you want to use, and walk-in consultations are possible at any private clinic.
Registered pharmacists are open from 9am until 6pm, with some offering a late service, and medicines can also be obtained from supermarkets, department stores, hotels and shopping centres.
Education
Children of English speaking expatriates usually attend an international school where they are taught in English. Expatriates can also apply for their children to attend government or government aided schools, where fees are much lower than for private schools. Details of how to apply can be found on the Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) website www.moe.gov.sg.
Pre-school child care is available for children of six months and upwards, and from age three to six, children can be enrolled into a pre-school. There is a range of options across Singapore, including international schools. Pre-schools are run by the private sector and must be registered with the Ministry of Education.
Starting from age six, children attend primary school for six years. Criteria for entry to each school is based on a catchment area and distance from the residential address. In their last year, children take the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).
Secondary schools are either government funded, government aided or independent. The primary school PSLE exam results determine which of the three levels of course a student will follow, Special, Express or Normal. Special and Express courses lead to a General Certificate of Education Ordinary (GCE O) exam, and those taking the Normal course work towards a General Certificate of Education Normal (GCE N) qualification.
Tax
Singapore enjoys one of the lowest personal income tax rates in the world, making it an extremely attractive place to live. After deducting personal allowances, the graduated tax scale starts at 0% and is capped at 20%. The amount of tax you pay depends on your earnings and tax residency status. There is no tax on income outside of Singapore, no capital gains tax or estate tax.
Tax residency – a guide
| Length of stay |
Resident status |
Tax implications |
| 60 days or less |
Non-resident |
Short term employment income is exempt from tax. |
| 61 – 182 days in a year |
Non-resident |
Income earned in Singapore will be taxed at 15% or progressive resident rates. Other income earned will be taxed at 20%. |
| At least 183 days in a year |
Resident for that year |
All income taxed at progressive resident rates, tax relief may be claimed. |
| At least 183 days, continuous, over two years or 3 consecutive years |
Resident for both years |
All income taxed at progressive resident rates, tax relief may be claimed. |
Income tax – a guide
| Chargeable income - SGD$ |
Rate |
Gross tax payable – SGD$ |
| First $20,000 |
0 |
0 |
| Next $10,000 |
3.50% |
$350 |
| First $30,000 |
- |
$350 |
| Next $10,000 |
5.50% |
$550 |
| First $40,000 |
- |
$900 |
| Next $40,000 |
8.50% |
$3,400 |
| First $80,000 |
- |
$4,300 |
| Next $80,000 |
14% |
$11,200 |
| First $160,000 |
- |
$15,500 |
| Next $160,000 |
17% |
$27,200 |
| First $320,000 |
- |
$42,700 |
| Above $320,000 |
20% |
|
Bank account
You will need to open a bank account in Singapore as soon as possible. An account is required for collecting your salary, setting up regular payments for rent and living expenses, and an ATM card to access your cash.
Banks will require ID in order to open an account. It’s essential that you have your Employment Pass or other proof of your right to work, proof of your Singapore address and passport. You may also need a reference from your bank in your home country. If you haven’t got a Singaporean address before you need to open an account, you can usually use your company’s address. If you bank with a large multinational bank in your home country, you may even be able to set up your new account before you leave for Singapore.
The lifestyle
Entertainment
With a population made up of different cultures, Singapore holds a number of colourful festivals throughout the year. It has plenty of entertainment options, including concert halls, theatres, nightclubs, pubs and bars and cinemas. The country has some beautifully maintained green spaces - there are over forty parks and gardens in Singapore, as well as eight nature reserves. There are several beach resorts, mostly located on the small island of Sentosa, including luxury hotels and spas. Shopping is extremely popular in Singapore – tourist hotspots include Chinatown, Orchard Road, Bugis and Little India.
Many of Singapore’s attractions stay open until late. There are late night museums and the zoo holds a night safari. Night shopping is also popular – many areas stay open until 11pm, and there is a 24-hour mall.
Bars, restaurants and clubs
There are many options for sampling Singapore's nightlife.
- Boat Quay and Clarke Quay
Riverside locations with many restaurants and bars. This area attracts a mixed crowd – people having a drink after work, tourists and serious party goers can be found here. Pubs are old, revamped Chinese godowns and shophouses.
- Orchard Road
This famous shopping district is home to some great clubs. Brix, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, is a sophisticated choice, with a warm ambience, a resident band and a great wine bar.
- Sentosa
For cocktails by the beach, choose the resort location of Sentosa. There are many luxury resort complexes with bars and restaurants catering to the international leisure market.
- Civic District
This trendsetting area is home to chic, elegant bars, cool clubs and sophisticated restaurants. Popular with the after-work crowd and ex-pats.
- The CBD (Central Business District)
A mix of cosmopolitan international bars and restaurants, perfect for business entertaining, with a flavour of Chinatown thrown in. From coffee bars to clubs, this area offers a snapshot of every type of bar and restaurant in Singapore.
Ex-pat groups
There are a number of social clubs specifically set up for ex-pats looking to establish a network in a new country. These are a great way of meeting other people new to the area, and an excellent source of information on life in Singapore. Clubs include the Pinetree Club, Dutch Club, British Club and American Women’s Association.
For more information on what to do in Singapore, the official tourist board website is a good start www.yoursingapore.com and www.singaporeexpats.com is a site aimed specifically at ex-pats.