Expat health insurance for Singapore: A complete guide

Planning a move to Singapore as a UK expat means getting ready for more than just a new home. You’ll also want to understand how healthcare works there and make sure you’re covered by a good insurance plan. Taking care of this early can spare you a lot of stress and extra expenses down the line.

In this guide, we’ll tell you everything about expat health insurance for Singapore. We’ll explain how you can access healthcare, what options are available and the costs you can expect.

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Healthcare system in Singapore - An overview

Singapore’s healthcare system is often recognised as one of the best in the world. With skilled healthcare professionals, modern facilities and widespread English proficiency, this is a great place for expats to receive care. Public healthcare services are subsidised for citizens and permanent residents, while those with temporary residence permits need to pay the full cost or get private insurance.¹

Singapore’s healthcare system is funded both by their government and the country’s population. Permanent residents and citizens contribute to the Central Provident Fund (CPF) and receive subsidised healthcare in return, through the MediSave, MediShield Life and MediFund plans.²

MediSave covers day-to-day medical costs, ongoing care or routine procedures. MediShield Life is a backup for MediSave, used for emergencies, serious illnesses and unexpected medical expenses. Finally, MediFund is a scheme for citizens only, used as an assistance fund for those who can’t afford to pay out-of-pocket costs.²

For expats, however, the experience is different. They’re not part of the CPF system and therefore can’t benefit from the government subsidies available to citizens and permanent residents. While expats are free to access both public and private healthcare facilities, they must pay the full cost for all treatments.¹

Medical costs in the private sector are rather high for those who don’t have private health insurance. Although the public healthcare system is great, around 70% of residents of Singapore have some type of private insurance.¹

To find registered and regulated private insurance companies in Singapore, contact the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), since they’re in charge of this.¹

Public vs private healthcare

Singapore’s healthcare services are delivered through both public and private providers. Public health insurance covers most health needs, including:

• GP or specialist consultations and treatments
• Dental and optical care
• Hospital stay
• Maternity care
• Vaccinations and medication
• Emergency and essential care (surgery, chemotherapy etc.)
• Healthcare screenings¹

Once you become a permanent resident, you’ll automatically be registered for public healthcare. Until then, you’ll need to rely on private expat health insurance for Singapore.¹

When it comes to private insurance, there are three kinds to choose from:

• Integrated shield plans
• National private insurance
• International private insurance¹

Integrated plans are only available as an add-on for those who already have MediShield Life. You should decide between a national and international plan based on whether you’d like to be able to access healthcare abroad.¹

Expats who are in Singapore on certain visa types receive private insurance through their employers. Private plans include treatments not covered by the public system, such as certain types of therapy.¹

Health insurance requirements for expats

Unlike in some countries, Singapore doesn’t legally require expats to have private health insurance in order to obtain a work or residence visa. However, it’s strongly recommended due to the high cost of medical care. Without proper coverage, paying for hospital stays or surgeries out of pocket can become very expensive over time.

Foreigners working in Singapore under a work permit or an S Pass are provided with private health insurance by their employers. Employers are required to buy a policy with a minimum annual coverage of 15,000 SGD. If they don’t do this, they could be fined by the government and possibly face jail time, but you won’t be held liable.³

On the other hand, those on the other type of work permit called the Employment pass don’t automatically receive employer-provided private insurance and are responsible for arranging their own coverage.³

Accessing healthcare in Singapore

Expats in Singapore can access public healthcare services, but the system works differently compared with citizens. While citizens receive subsidised care, non-residents need to pay the full cost of medical services, unless they have private health insurance.

While you won’t be able to register for public health insurance as an expat, you can register with individual doctors, dentists or other healthcare providers. However, this isn’t required to receive care.⁴

If you later become a permanent resident of Singapore, you’ll be automatically registered for public health insurance. In case you don’t receive information about your MediSave account, make sure to contact the Central Provident Fund (CPF).⁴

Private health insurance providers for expats in Singapore

Both international and local insurance companies offer health plans suitable for expats. These plans often include comprehensive coverage, such as inpatient and outpatient care, maternity services and dental care.

Some well-known private health insurance companies operating in Singapore include:

• Cigna Global
• Allianz
• AXA
• Aetna International
• Bupa
• AIA
• Great Eastern Life

Although Singapore is known for great healthcare, it’s important to review your insurance policy carefully. If you’re planning a long-term stay and mainly need coverage within Singapore, a local insurance plan may be the best option. For those who travel often or move between countries, an international plan could provide more suitable coverage.

How much does private health insurance cost in Singapore?

The cost of expat health insurance for Singapore varies widely depending on your age, health status and the level of coverage chosen.

On average, a 25 year old will pay around 2,000 SGD a year, while a 45-year old could expect to pay about 3,200 SGD. However, for those over 75, premiums may exceed 200,000 SGD annually.⁵

For reference, a single day in a private hospital can cost over 2,500 SGD on average, which makes a private insurance policy very helpful for managing medical expenses.⁵

Choosing the right expat health insurance

Selecting the right health insurance plan depends on your personal circumstances, including factors such as age and medical history. For example, those with chronic conditions should look for plans that cover pre-existing illnesses.

Key points to consider include coverage limits and the network of hospitals and clinics accessible under the plan. Some plans don’t cover dental, optical and mental health services.

It’s also important to consider whether you can customise your plan and add elements that are important to you.

Wise - A smart way to manage your money in Singapore

Having good expat health insurance for Singapore is important, as medical costs can be high, especially when they’re unexpected. A comprehensive plan ensures access to quality care, including hospital visits and specialist consultations, while giving you peace of mind.

If you’re looking for a way to pay for health insurance or cover living costs in Singapore, Wise can be a great option. Open a Wise account and you can send money between the UK and Singapore for low, transparent fees and the mid-market exchange rate.

You can also spend Singapore dollars using your Wise card. It works in more than 150+ countries and automatically converts your pounds to the local currency at the mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny currency conversion fee. Or it’s free if you already have the local currency in your Wise account.

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Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 27-Oct-2025