Singapore consistently ranks among the world’s most liveable cities for expatriate families — and among the most expensive. For foreign professionals arriving on an Employment Pass, ONE Pass, or S Pass, and for the families who accompany them, the practical demands of relocation go well beyond securing the right visa. Schools must be shortlisted before the move. Housing must be sized and budgeted realistically. Banking, healthcare, a domestic helper, and a driving licence all need to be addressed in the first weeks.
This guide covers the complete family relocation to Singapore — visas for accompanying family members, schools, housing costs, healthcare, FDW hire, banking, transport, and cultural orientation. It is written for the foreign professional arriving with a partner and children, though much of it applies to single relocations and couples without children too.
Step 1: Secure the Right Visa for Your Family
Your own work pass — Employment Pass, S Pass, ONE Pass, or PEP — is the anchor of the family’s immigration status. Once your pass is approved, you can apply for accompanying family members:
- Dependant’s Pass (DP): Available to legally married spouses and unmarried children under 21. EP holders earning SGD 6,000 per month or more may apply for a DP for their spouse and children. S Pass and Work Permit holders face stricter eligibility. Our Dependant’s Pass and LTVP Guide 2026 sets out the eligibility rules in full.
- Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP): For common-law or unmarried partners, step-children, or disabled children over 21. EP holders earning SGD 12,000 per month or more may apply for an LTVP for their parents.
DP holders with the right endorsement can apply for a Letter of Consent (LOC) to work in Singapore without needing their own work pass. LOC eligibility is not automatic — it depends on the DP holder’s own qualifications and the employer’s situation. Plan this before the family arrives if working is important to your accompanying partner.
Step 2: Schools — Start Early, Plan Thoroughly
Securing a school place is often the most time-sensitive element of a Singapore family relocation, and the one most frequently underestimated. Applications to popular international schools close months before the academic year begins, and waitlists at oversubscribed schools can run to years.
International Schools
Most expatriate families choose international schools, which follow foreign curricula (IB, British, American, Australian, Canadian and others) and do not require a place in the highly competitive Singapore local school system. Singapore has approximately 80 international schools. Annual tuition fees as at 2026 range from around SGD 25,000 to SGD 50,000 per child per year at established schools. This figure does not include registration fees (SGD 2,000–8,000 per child), development levies, or enrichment activities.
Budget approximately SGD 30,000–45,000 per child per year as a working estimate for mid-tier international schooling. For a family with two school-age children, this represents a significant cost that many employers partially offset through a school fee allowance in the relocation package. Negotiate this before you accept an offer.
Local MOE Schools
Foreign children whose parent is a Singapore PR or who are Singapore Citizens may attend local Ministry of Education (MOE) schools. Foreign nationals (non-PR, non-citizen) can attend local schools as international students, subject to availability and a monthly school fee. MOE school fees for international students (non-ASEAN) as at 2026 are approximately SGD 350–550 per month, a fraction of international school costs.
For families planning a long-term stay or pursuing permanent residency, placing children in the local school system offers significant cost savings and supports the PR application by demonstrating integration. The trade-off is academic intensity — Singapore’s local curriculum is demanding — and the potential need for supplementary tuition during the transition.
Step 3: Housing — Budget, Location, and Lease Terms
Housing in Singapore is the single largest monthly outgoing for most expat families. As at mid-2026, typical rental costs are:
- 2-bedroom condominium, city fringe (districts 3, 5, 14, 15): SGD 4,500–6,500 per month
- 3-bedroom condominium, city fringe: SGD 6,500–9,000 per month
- 3-bedroom condominium, prime districts (9, 10, 11): SGD 9,000–14,000+ per month
- HDB flat, 4-room: SGD 2,400–3,500 per month (available to EP holders; not available in all districts)
Lease terms are typically 12 or 24 months, with a diplomatic clause available in most leases for pass holders (allowing early termination at six months’ notice if your pass is revoked or not renewed). Always negotiate the diplomatic clause before signing.
As a foreigner, you cannot purchase an HDB flat or most landed properties. You can purchase a condominium or apartment, but you will pay an Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) of 60% on top of the standard BSD. For most EP holders arriving on fixed-term arrangements, renting rather than buying is clearly the right decision. For our detailed breakdown of all the costs involved in bringing a foreign professional to Singapore, see our guide on the true cost of hiring a foreigner in Singapore 2026.
Step 4: Healthcare — What EP Holders Need to Know
Singapore has an excellent healthcare system, with both public and private hospitals operating to international standards. However, the healthcare financing model for expatriates differs significantly from what many are used to.
Employment Pass, S Pass, and ONE Pass holders are not enrolled in MediShield Life and do not accumulate MediSave. This means they have no government-backed health insurance. Employers are legally required to provide medical insurance for EP and S Pass holders — check your employment contract carefully to understand the coverage level. Many employer-provided plans cover only the main pass holder; spouses and children on DPs may need separate private health cover.
For comprehensive family coverage, consider an International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) plan. Annual premiums for a mid-tier IPMI plan as at 2026 run approximately SGD 3,500–6,000 for a single adult and SGD 8,000–15,000 for a family of four, depending on the coverage scope and insurer.
Public hospitals (SGH, NUH, TTSH) are excellent and substantially cheaper than private hospitals, even for non-residents. For non-emergency care, private GP clinics are widely available at SGD 40–120 per consultation.
Step 5: Hiring a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW)
Many Singapore families — both local and expatriate — hire a live-in FDW for childcare, elder care, and household management. For an expat family with young children, an FDW can be transformative, particularly in the first year of settlement.
FDWs are typically hired from the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, or other approved source countries on a two-year work permit. The main costs:
- Salary: SGD 500–700 per month (varies by nationality and experience; Filipina FDWs typically at the higher end)
- Agency fee: SGD 1,000–2,000 for placement, plus the FDW’s home country agency fee
- Levy: SGD 300 per month (concessionary rate of SGD 60 per month applies for families with children under 16 or members with disabilities)
- Mandatory insurance and bond: Approximately SGD 400–600 per year
- Food and personal allowance: Approximately SGD 150–200 per month
Total monthly cost typically falls between SGD 1,000 and SGD 1,400. The MOM Work Permit for FDWs is separate from the Work Permit (Performing Artiste) and is not affected by recent scheme changes. MOM’s FDW guidance sets out employer obligations including the requirement to provide a rest day and adequate accommodation.
Step 6: Banking, CPF, and Personal Finance Setup
Setting up a local bank account should be one of your first practical steps on arrival. Major banks — DBS, OCBC, UOB, Standard Chartered, HSBC — will open accounts on production of your pass approval letter and a tenancy agreement or utility bill. Accounts are typically opened within one to two business days.
As an EP or S Pass holder, you are not required to contribute to CPF. Your employer is also not required to make CPF contributions for you. CPF contributions become mandatory when you obtain Singapore PR status. For a full guide to CPF obligations as a new PR, see our article on CPF for PRs and New Citizens 2026.
Singapore’s personal income tax is flat-rate and low by international standards. Tax residents (those who work in Singapore for 183 days or more in the year) are taxed on a progressive scale from 2% to 24%. Most senior professionals pay an effective rate of 12–18%. Non-residents are taxed at a flat rate of 15% or the resident rate, whichever is higher.
Step 7: Transport and Driving Licence
Singapore has an excellent public transport network — MRT, buses, and ride-hailing. For many families, public transport is entirely sufficient for daily life. If you prefer to drive, Singapore operates a vehicle quota system (Certificate of Entitlement, or COE) that makes owning a car extremely expensive — a typical family car costs SGD 120,000–180,000 all-in, and the COE component alone can run SGD 90,000–120,000.
If you hold a valid driving licence from an approved country — including the UK, Australia, most EU nations, Japan, South Korea, and many others — you can convert it to a Singapore driving licence without retaking the full test. Our detailed guide on Singapore driving licence conversion explains the process and which licences qualify.
Step 8: Planning Your PR Application
Many foreign professionals who relocate to Singapore with their families go on to apply for Permanent Residence. Singapore received approximately 40,000 PR applications per year recently and approves around 30,000–35,000. The ICA uses a holistic assessment — length of stay, contribution to Singapore, family ties, and economic integration all matter.
For families, applying for PR when your children are in school, when you have been in Singapore for two to three years, and when your salary and career trajectory are strong gives the best approval odds. Our comprehensive Singapore PR Approvals guide covers the 2025 approval statistics and what they mean for applicants.
How LBEA and Raffles Corporate Services Can Help
Little Big Employment Agency (LBEA) is a MOM-licensed employment agency (Licence No. 19C9790) supporting foreign professionals and families with Employment Pass applications, Dependant’s Pass applications, and pass renewals. If you are planning a family move to Singapore and need help with the visa process, contact our team via Singapore Employment Agency.
For businesses relocating to Singapore — needing company incorporation, corporate secretarial support, and HR setup alongside the personal relocation — Raffles Corporate Services provides end-to-end support from company formation through to payroll and compliance.
— The Editorial Team, Little Big Employment Agency