Moving to Singapore 2026, The Complete Expat Guide to Relocating to Singapore

Moving to Singapore 2026, Expat Relocation Guide

Singapore is Asia's premier business hub and one of the world's most liveable cities, a city-state with an extraordinary standard of infrastructure, healthcare, education, and public safety. Singapore is a major destination for professionals from Australia, India, the UK, the US, Europe, and across Asia. This guide covers what you need to know about moving to Singapore in 2026.

Singapore Work Passes and Immigration

• Employment Pass (EP), For professionals, managers, and executives earning at least SGD $5,000/month (SGD $5,500+ for financial services); employer-sponsored; the most common expat work pass
• S Pass, For mid-skilled workers earning at least SGD $3,150/month; quota-based (employers have limits on how many S Pass holders they can employ)
• ONE Pass (Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass), For top global talent earning SGD $30,000+/month; allows holders to work for multiple employers and brings family on linked passes
• EntrePass, For entrepreneurs establishing innovative businesses in Singapore
• Personalised Employment Pass (PEP), For high-earning EP holders who want flexibility between jobs

Cost of Living in Singapore 2026

• Rent (1-bed condo, central Singapore), SGD $4,000-$8,000+/month
• Rent (1-bed condo, Jurong / Clementi), SGD $2,400-$3,500/month
• MRT and bus (monthly EZ-Link estimate), approximately SGD $100-$150/month for typical commuters
• Hawker centre food (lunch), SGD $4-$6 per meal, one of Singapore's great value advantages
• Groceries (single person at NTUC FairPrice), approximately SGD $400-$600/month
• Healthcare: All EP holders must have medical insurance; MediShield Life covers Singapore citizens/PRs; employer-provided group insurance is standard for EP holders

Before You Move to Singapore

• Housing options: Expats on EP are not eligible to purchase HDB flats (public housing), only private condominiums and landed property are available to rent or buy
• Car ownership: Singapore's Certificate of Entitlement (COE) system makes car ownership very expensive, budget SGD $100,000+ for a COE alone; most Singapore residents use MRT and buses
• Mandatory Provident Fund (CPF): CPF contributions are mandatory for Singapore citizens and PRs but not for EP holders on work passes

This article was compiled by AI and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.