How to Retire in Malaysia: A 2025 Guide for Singaporeans

Malaysia is a popular retirement option for Singaporeans due to its lower cost of living, natural beauty, and proximity to Singapore. Just across the Causeway, Malaysia is over 450 times bigger¹ than Singapore, with diverse locations like Penang, Ipoh, and Kuala Lumpur. The upcoming Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link will also make travel between Singapore and Johor Bahru even faster².

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to retire in Malaysia, including the pros and cons, the best places to live, and the visa options available.

We'll also introduce the Wise account, a handy companion to make your money go further with low, transparent fees.

Table of contents
Why is Malaysia a popular retirement destination? What are the visa options? MM2H requirements and eligibility Other benefits How much do I need? Housing costs Healthcare expenses SGD to MYR conversion costs Best places to retire in Malaysia Use Wise to manage your money across the border in Malaysia

Why is Malaysia a popular retirement destination for Singaporeans?

Retiring in Malaysia is a popular option for Singaporeans because it combines affordability, cultural familiarity, and easy access back home, especially with the upcoming RTS Link. To help you decide if it’s the right move, here are some key pros and cons to consider:

Pros of retiring in Malaysia

Pros	Details
Lower Cost of Living	Your retirement funds can go further in Malaysia. For example, the average monthly rent for a city-centre apartment is $505 SGD³, compared to $3,971 SGD in Singapore⁴
Proximity to Singapore	The close distance makes travel easy. You can fly to most Malaysian cities in under two hours, and places like Johor Bahru are just a short land journey away
Familiar Culture	With similar cultures, shared languages (Malay and English), and comparable food preferences, the transition is much smoother than moving to a Western country
Affordable & Spacious Housing	Malaysia has a wider variety of affordable properties. The MM2H program also offers a renewable visa for those who purchase real estate
Slower Pace of Life	Cities like Ipoh and Penang offer a more relaxed atmosphere and a slower pace of life compared to fast-paced Singapore

Cons of retiring in Malaysia

Cons	Details
Higher petty crime rates	While Singapore is known for its low crime, Malaysia's crime index is higher (48.47 vs. 22.59).⁵ Many retirees choose to live in gated communities or condos with security for peace of mind
Seasonal haze and floods	Malaysia is more prone to severe seasonal haze from forest fires in Indonesia. During the wet season, many cities also experience flash floods due to less developed drainage systems compared to Singapore.

What are the visa options for retiring in Malaysia?

The most common visa for retirees is the Malaysia My Second Home visa, created by the government to encourage foreigners (including Singaporeans) to buy property and move to Malaysia.

There are three tiers to choose from, plus options for specific zones. Here’s a closer look at each one.

MM2H requirements and eligibility

	Silver	Gold	Platinum	Special Economic Zone/Special Financial Zone
Age requirement	25 years old or older			21 years old
Participation fee (MYR)	1,000	3,000	200,000	3,000
Place fixed deposit (USD)	$150,000	$500,000	$1,000,000	Ages 21–49: 65,000 Ages 50+: 32,000
Pass duration	5 years	15 years	20 years	10 years
Renewal fee (MYR)	5,000	5,000	5,000	300⁹
Minimum stay in Malaysia⁷	90 days per year for under 50s. No minimum for over 50s.
Work eligibility	Not permitted	Not permitted	Permitted	Not permitted

Other benefits of the MM2H programme

Other benefits of the MM2H programme include the ability to bring your spouse, parents, parents-in-law, and unmarried, unemployed children under 34 to Malaysia. And, you can enjoy tax exemptions on eligible foreign income, such as investment-related income, retirement payments, and property income.¹⁰

How much do I need to retire in Malaysia?

Wondering how much you need to retire in Malaysia? Here’s a comparison of the average monthly cost to retire in Malaysia vs Singapore.¹¹

	Malaysia	Singapore
Rent (1 bed apartment in city centre)	504.54 SGD	3,971.43 SGD
Rent (1 bedroom apartment outside of centre)	345.36 SGD	2,936.59 SGD
Basic utilities	64.89 SGD	202.49 SGD
Transport - local ticket, one way	0.91 SGD	2 SGD
Meal in an inexpensive restaurant	4.57 SGD	12 SGD
Mid-range meal for 2 people	30.49 SGD	100 SGD
1L Milk	2.34 SGD	3.82 SGD
12 eggs	2.62 SGD	4.19 SGD
Cinema ticket	6.10 SGD	15 SGD

Housing costs

When it comes to housing, retirees in Malaysia have a wide range of options, from modern high-rise condominiums to spacious properties, such as terrace houses, semi-detached homes, and bungalows.

Under the MM2H programme, there are minimum purchase price requirements for each tier, while developers set their own price for the special zone MM2H visa.

• Silver: MYR 600,000⁶
• Gold: MYR 1,000,000⁶
• Platinum: 2,000,000⁶

Healthcare expenses

According to the Global Health Index, Singapore is the second healthiest country in the world, while Malaysia is 75th.¹² That shouldn’t stop you from retiring in Malaysia, though, as the country has plenty of private modern hospitals and well-trained doctors, many of whom received international qualifications.

And, medical treatment is significantly cheaper compared to Singapore. For example, private general practitioners in Malaysia charge a consultation fee of MYR 10–35 (proposed to be raised to 50–80 SGD)¹³ versus 50–200 SGD¹⁴ in Singapore.

Plus, you can use your Central Provident Fund (CPF) savings for specific medical expenses at MediSave-approved hospitals,¹⁵ helping you stretch your retirement fund even further.

Currency conversion costs

The Singapore dollar is stronger than the Malaysian ringgit, so you can stretch your retirement savings further when retiring in Malaysia. But, when it comes to managing your SGD to MYR conversions, it’s important to note that traditional banks often offer a marked-up exchange rate and add hidden fees, making transfers more expensive.

A smarter alternative is opening a Wise account, which uses the real, mid-market exchange rate with low and transparent fees. Wise also allows you to hold a MYR balance, making it easy to manage regular expenses in Malaysia and convert money only when the rate is advantageous.

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Best places to retire in Malaysia

Malaysia offers a wide range of retirement options, from bustling cities to serene coastal towns and highland retreats. But the best place to retire in Malaysia depends on what kind of lifestyle you’re seeking. Here’s a look at four options to consider.

Kuala Lumpur

If you think you’ll miss Singapore’s bustling atmosphere, you may want to retire in Kuala Lumpur.

Pros	Cons
Plenty of hospitals with internationally trained doctors Wide range of housing options Vibrant cultural scene, dining, and shopping Well-connected public transport and an international airport	Higher cost of living compared to smaller Malaysian cities Busy urban environment Less green space and a slower pace than coastal or highland towns

Best for: Retirees who enjoy city life, world-class amenities, and excellent healthcare.

Penang

Known for its rich heritage, vibrant food scene, and high-quality healthcare, Penang is another great choice for Singaporeans retiring in Malaysia.

Pros	Cons
Excellent healthcare Rich cultural heritage International community Delicious local cuisine	Higher cost of living compared to other Malaysian cities Traffic congestion Humid climate

Best for: Retirees who enjoy a lively cultural environment, gourmet food, and coastal living.

Johor Bahru

Located just across the Causeway from Singapore, Johor Bahru provides convenience and easy access to your homeland.

Pros	Cons
Close to Singapore Lower cost of living than Singapore Growing amenities and shopping options	Urban congestion Some areas less developed High traffic near the border (until the RTS Link is built)

Best for: Retirees seeking convenience, frequent trips to Singapore, and a more urban lifestyle.

Ipoh

Nestled among limestone hills, Ipoh is famous for its colonial architecture, cave temples, and relaxed pace of life.

Pros	Cons
Affordable housing Scenic surroundings Quieter lifestyle	Smaller expat community Fewer international amenities Hot and humid climate

Best for: Retirees who prefer a slower pace, heritage charm and natural scenery.

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Use Wise to manage your money across the border in Malaysia

Seamlessly manage your finances between Singapore and Malaysia with a Wise account. The Wise account is an easy way to hold and exchange 40+ currencies, including SGD, MYR, EUR, CNY, and more. All you need to do is create a free account to get started.

With Wise, you can exchange currencies at the mid-market rate each time, with low, transparent conversion fees from 0.26% and absolutely no markups. Plus, you can order a linked Wise card for convenient spending without any foreign transaction fees, and up to 2 free ATM withdrawals to the value of 350 SGD when you're overseas. You'll even get 8+ local account details to get paid conveniently to your Wise account in SGD and a selection of other major global currencies.

Sending money or making payments abroad? Wise also offers fast, low cost transfers to 140+ countries - you can track your transfer in your account and your recipient will also be notified when a transfer reaches them.

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Sources

1. Country size comparison
2. Channel News Asia
3. Numbeo: Cost of living in Malaysia
4. Numbeo: Cost of living in Singapore
5. Numbeo: Crime rate comparison between Singapore and Malaysia
6. MM2H: National MM2H
7. MM2H: FAQ
8. MM2H: SEZ MM2H
9. Reflecture MM2H
10. Mishu: The Expat’s Guide to MM2H Tax Exemptions
11. Numbeo: Cost of living in Singapore vs Malaysia
12. CEO World Magazine: The Healthiest Countries in the World
13. Code Blue: MPCAM Proposes RM50 to RM80 GP Consultation Fee
14. Pacific Prime: Cost of Living in Singapore
15. Health365: Guide to Using MediSave in Malaysia