Relocating to Singapore with your family is one of the most consequential decisions a professional can make — and one of the most rewarding when handled well. Singapore ranks among the world’s most liveable cities: low crime, world-class infrastructure, a sophisticated healthcare system, excellent international and local schools, and a location that puts most of Southeast and East Asia within a short-haul flight. But the financial and logistical realities of relocating a family to Singapore are materially different from relocating as a single professional. School fees, domestic worker hire, private healthcare, and housing costs compound quickly, and families that arrive without a detailed budget and pre-arrival plan often face a jarring adjustment in the first six months.
This guide covers the six pillars of a successful family relocation to Singapore in 2026: work passes for the employed partner, schools for children, healthcare planning, housing, hiring a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW), and banking and financial set-up. It is intended as a practical starting point — not a definitive manual — and should be read alongside the specialist resources cited throughout.
Step 1 — Securing the Right Work Pass for the Employed Partner
The family relocation begins with the primary earner’s work authorisation. For most senior professionals, the relevant pass is the Employment Pass (EP), issued by the Ministry of Manpower. As at May 2026, the minimum qualifying salary for a new EP application is SGD 5,600 per month for most sectors and SGD 6,200 per month for the financial services sector, per MOM’s EP eligibility guidance. Both floors are age-progressive: a 40-year-old applicant needs a higher salary than a 25-year-old to clear the qualifying threshold.
From 1 January 2027, these floors will rise to SGD 6,000 (most sectors) and SGD 6,600 (financial services). If your EP is due for renewal after that date, your salary must meet the new thresholds. A complete guide to EP eligibility, the COMPASS framework scoring requirements, and the application process is available in our Singapore Employment Pass Guide 2026.
For high-earning professionals earning at least SGD 30,000 per month, the ONE Pass offers greater flexibility — it allows the holder to work for multiple employers simultaneously, has a five-year validity, and does not require COMPASS scoring. See our guide on ONE Pass Singapore: Who Actually Qualifies in 2026.
Passes for the Non-Employed Spouse and Children
The spouse and unmarried children under 21 of an EP holder earning at least SGD 6,000 per month are eligible for a Dependant’s Pass (DP). Spouses on a DP may apply for a Letter of Consent (LOC) to work in Singapore without a separate work pass, subject to employer approval and MOM eligibility requirements. Children on a DP are entitled to enrol in Singapore schools. For full eligibility criteria, see our guide on the Dependant’s Pass, LTVP and Letter of Consent 2026.
Step 2 — Schools for Your Children
Education planning is often the first question families ask — and the answer is more nuanced than “international schools only”. Singapore has three main schooling options for expat families:
International Schools
International schools in Singapore offer IB, British, American, Australian, and other curricula. Annual fees in 2026 range from approximately SGD 25,000 at the lower end to over SGD 50,000 at premium institutions. Most international schools have waiting lists, and applications should be made at least 6–12 months before the intended start date — ideally before the family even relocates. Popular options include the United World College (Dover), Tanglin Trust School, Canadian International School, and AIS (American school). Check individual school websites directly for enrolment procedures and fee schedules.
Local MOE Schools
Local government schools (primary and secondary) are significantly more affordable — annual school fees for non-citizens start at approximately SGD 600–700 per year at primary level and rise modestly through secondary level. However, the Ministry of Education (MOE) allocates only about 5% of places to international students, and admission requires sitting the Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS) in October each year. Local schools follow a rigorous syllabus and provide excellent academic preparation. Families with children who are strong candidates for local school admission should explore this option: ICA views enrolment in local schools as a strong integration signal for PR applications.
Hybrid and Supplementary Options
Some families choose local schools for primary years (where the AEIS is less competitive) and international schools for secondary education. Supplementary tuition centres (tuition agencies) are ubiquitous in Singapore and many international school students attend them alongside their regular school schedule.
Step 3 — Healthcare Planning for Expat Families
Singapore’s healthcare system is internationally regarded, but expats do not have access to government subsidies or the national MediShield Life insurance scheme. Without coverage, a single inpatient episode at a private hospital in Singapore can cost SGD 10,000–40,000 or more depending on complexity and length of stay.
Before relocating, arrange a comprehensive international private medical insurance (IPMI) plan. For a family of four in 2026, a comprehensive plan with inpatient, outpatient, dental, and specialist coverage typically costs between SGD 10,000 and SGD 15,000 annually. Key items to check when selecting a plan include: Singapore coverage (some policies exclude Singapore as a country of residence), pre-existing condition terms, direct billing at major hospitals (Mount Elizabeth, Gleneagles, Raffles Hospital), and maternity coverage if relevant. If your employer provides group healthcare, verify the coverage scope — many employer plans cover the primary employee but have limited or no family coverage.
For Singaporean-registered employers who bring in foreign professionals, note that employers are required to purchase a medical insurance policy of at least SGD 15,000 annual inpatient coverage for Work Permit holders — though EP holders are not subject to the same statutory minimum. The Ministry of Health maintains an updated list of licensed private hospitals and clinics.
Step 4 — Housing: Finding the Right Home in Singapore
Expat families typically rent private condominium apartments. HDB flats (public housing) are generally not available to foreigners on work passes, though there are limited exceptions for PRs with a Singapore Citizen co-applicant. Landed property purchases are restricted for foreigners; rental of landed properties is permitted but expensive.
In 2026, rental prices for private condominiums in popular expat districts (Tanglin, Holland Village, East Coast, Tiong Bahru, Novena) start at approximately:
- 2-bedroom condo: SGD 3,500–5,500/month
- 3-bedroom condo: SGD 5,000–8,500/month
- 4-bedroom condo or semi-detached: SGD 8,000–16,000+/month
Rental prices stabilised after the post-pandemic surge of 2022–2023 but remain significantly above pre-COVID levels. Families with school-age children typically prioritise proximity to their chosen school, and school location should drive the property search. A comprehensive breakdown of housing and other living costs is available in our Cost of Living in Singapore for Expats 2026.
Foreigners purchasing residential property in Singapore are subject to Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) at 60% for first purchase (as at May 2026), which is prohibitively high for most relocating professionals. Renting is the standard approach for the first 2–5 years.
Step 5 — Hiring a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW)
Most expat families in Singapore with young children or dual-earning households hire a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW), also known as a Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW). FDWs are commonly from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Myanmar, and their hire is regulated by MOM under the Foreign Domestic Worker framework.
Key costs and obligations in 2026:
- Monthly salary: SGD 650–1,000+ depending on experience, nationality, and whether the MDW has prior Singapore experience.
- MDW levy: SGD 300/month (or SGD 60/month for families eligible for the concessionary levy, e.g. those with a child under 16, elderly parent, or a family member with a disability).
- Medical insurance: Employers must maintain medical insurance of at least SGD 15,000 annual inpatient coverage for the FDW.
- Agency fees: One-off placement fees from a licensed MOM employment agency, typically SGD 1,500–3,000.
- Rest day: FDWs are entitled to a weekly rest day (or compensation in lieu).
All FDW placements must go through a MOM-licensed employment agency. LBEA is licensed to place FDWs in Singapore households; see our full service guide at Singapore Employment Agency.
Step 6 — Banking, CPF and Financial Set-Up
Opening a bank account in Singapore as a newly arrived EP holder is straightforward with the right documents: Employment Pass, passport, and proof of residential address (a tenancy agreement or utility bill suffices). Major banks with strong expat banking services include DBS, OCBC, UOB, Standard Chartered, and HSBC. Most offer multi-currency accounts with digital-first features suited to internationally mobile families.
EP holders do not contribute to the Central Provident Fund (CPF) — CPF is mandatory only for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. Once your family obtains PR, CPF contributions begin at graduated rates (lower in years one and two of PR, rising to full citizen rates from year three). Understanding how CPF works before you achieve PR helps with financial planning. Our guide on CPF for PRs and New Citizens 2026 covers contribution rates, the Ordinary, Special, and MediSave accounts, and withdrawal rules in detail.
For IRAS personal income tax: Employment Pass holders are taxed as tax residents if they are in Singapore for at least 183 days in the year. Resident tax rates in 2026 range from 0% on the first SGD 20,000 to a maximum of 24% on income above SGD 1,000,000. The IRAS website has a dedicated expat tax section with online calculators.
Planning Your Singapore PR Application from Day One
Families who arrive in Singapore with the intention of eventually applying for PR should begin building their PR profile from the first day of residency. This means: filing IRAS tax returns promptly, enrolling children in local schools where eligible, maintaining a consistent Singapore residential address, and taking every professional development opportunity that increases salary and sector alignment. Families in this position should read our Complete Singapore PR Pathway Guide 2026 early in their relocation journey.
End-to-End Relocation Support from LBEA and Raffles Corporate Services
Little Big Employment Agency (LBEA) is a MOM-licensed employment agency (Licence No. 19C9790) supporting families through the entire Singapore relocation journey: Employment Pass applications and renewals, Dependant’s Pass and LOC processing, FDW hire, and PR application preparation. We work alongside our sister company Raffles Corporate Services, which provides incorporation, corporate secretarial, and compliance advisory for businesses relocating their operations to Singapore alongside their key personnel. Together, we cover the full spectrum of corporate and personal relocation needs.
To begin planning your family’s move to Singapore, visit Singapore Employment Agency.
— The Editorial Team, Little Big Employment Agency