Singapore — Complete Emigration Guide 2026
5,917,648 people · Capital: Singapore · South-Eastern Asia
Your complete guide to emigrating to Singapore in 2026
Overview
Singapore stands out as an emigration destination thanks to its competitive tax regime, strong career opportunities, and excellent healthcare system. Located in Asia with a population of 5,917,648, it attracts a growing international community of workers, families, and retirees seeking a new life abroad.
Scores based on our 5-dimension scoring model. Data
Visa Pathways (13)
| Programme | Type | Min Income | Investment | Processing | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dependant's Pass | Family Reunion | — | — | 42d | — |
| Employment Pass | Skilled Worker Visa | — | — | 21d | 10y |
| EntrePass | Entrepreneur Visa | — | €50,000 | 56d | 10y |
| Global Investor Programme | Investor / Golden Visa | — | €8,350,000 | 240d | 2y |
| Long-Term Visit Pass | Family Reunion | — | — | 56d | — |
| ONE Pass | Special Talent | €2,203/mo | — | 56d | 10y |
| Personalized Employment Pass | Skilled Worker Visa | €19,800/mo | — | 84d | 10y |
| S Pass | Skilled Worker Visa | €2,775/mo | — | 21d | 10y |
| Student's Pass | Student Visa | — | — | 30d | — |
| Tech.Pass | Special Talent | — | — | 56d | 10y |
| Training Employment Pass | Skilled Worker Visa | €2,640/mo | — | 21d | — |
| Work Holiday Programme | Working Holiday Visa | — | — | 28d | — |
| Work Permit | Skilled Worker Visa | €1,633/mo | — | 28d | — |
Cost of Living
| Item | Singapore | W. Europe Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | €2,650 | €1,200 | +121% |
| Rent (3BR) | €3,950 | €2,000 | +98% |
| Groceries | €380 | €350 | +9% |
| Transport | €128 | €80 | +60% |
| Utilities | €185 | €150 | +23% |
| Dining (meal) | €8 | €15 | -47% |
Salary & Employment
| Sector | Entry | Median | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| construction | €29,500 | €42,000 | €59,000 |
| education | €33,500 | €48,000 | €67,000 |
| engineering | €35,000 | €52,000 | €75,000 |
| finance | €42,000 | €62,000 | €95,000 |
| healthcare | €28,000 | €42,000 | €62,000 |
| hospitality | €22,500 | €32,000 | €45,000 |
| it | €38,000 | €55,000 | €82,000 |
| retail | €19,500 | €28,000 | €39,000 |
Shortage Occupations
- Software Engineer (Information Technology)
- Data Scientist (Information Technology)
- Nurse (Healthcare)
- Electrical Engineer (Engineering)
- Mechanical Engineer (Engineering)
- Construction Manager (Construction)
Tax
Not Ordinarily Resident (NOR): Only Singapore-sourced income taxed for 5 years. Foreign income exempt | Global Investor Programme: Permanent residence via investment. SGD 10M minimum
Healthcare
Education
| University | QS Rank | English Progs | Tuition (Intl) |
|---|---|---|---|
| National University of Singapore (NUS) | 8 | 156 | €24,300 |
| Nanyang Technological University (NTU) | 84 | 98 | €22,500 |
| Singapore Management University (SMU) | 395 | 72 | €27,900 |
| Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) | 1001 | 45 | €25,200 |
| Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) | — | 38 | €18,900 |
Practical Info
Banking
Driving
Phone & Internet
Credentials
Quality of Life
Frequently Asked Questions
What salary do I need for a Singapore Employment Pass?
The minimum qualifying salary is SGD 5,000/month for most sectors, and SGD 5,500/month for the financial services sector. Older, more experienced candidates need higher salaries due to the COMPASS framework.
What is the ONE Pass?
The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass is for top talent earning at least SGD 30,000/month or with outstanding achievements. It offers 5-year validity and allows you to work for multiple companies simultaneously.
How hard is it to get Singapore PR?
Singapore PR is competitive and not guaranteed. Factors include your salary, qualifications, age, family profile, and economic contributions. Most successful applicants have worked in Singapore for 2-4 years.
Is Singapore expensive?
Yes. Singapore is among the world's most expensive cities. A single professional should budget SGD 3,000-5,500/month (USD 2,200-4,000) excluding rent. Rent for a room starts at SGD 1,000-1,800/month.
Can I start a business in Singapore?
Yes. The EntrePass allows entrepreneurs to start and operate a business. You need a viable business plan, funding of at least SGD 50,000, and the business must be innovative or backed by a recognized investor.
Start Preparing for Singapore
Deep guides for moving to Singapore
If your case is more specific, these focused guides go deeper than this country hub.
By topic
- → Can I move to Singapore as a Accountant?
- → Can I move to Singapore as a Nurse?
- → Can I move to Singapore as a Software Engineer?
- → Can I move to Singapore as a Teacher?
- → Can I move to Singapore as a Digital Nomad?
By origin country (lanes)
Still shortlisting? See our data-driven ranking of the best countries to move to in 2026 — Top 10 overall plus picks for digital nomads, retirees, skilled workers, families, and low-cost living.