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Moving to Singapore from Philippines

What the move actually looks like, from Philippines to Singapore. Rent, taxes, healthcare, and the visa you'll need to sort out first.

Home/Singapore/From Philippines

Currency

SGD

S$

Healthcare

Public + Mandatory Savings (Medisave)

S$0/mo

Work Visa

3-8 weeks

processing time

Deposit

2 mo

of rent

Visa & Work Permits

Work permit: Employment Pass for professionals (min S$5,000 salary). S Pass for mid-skilled. Dependent passes available.
EU citizens: Same as non-EU. Work visa required. 90-day tourist visa-free.
Processing time: 3-8 weeks

Which city in Singapore?

CityMedian Salary1BR Rent RangeEnglishNeighborhoods
SingaporeS$5,500S$1,900 - S$6,3005/510

What daily life costs in Singapore

Singapore

1BR Rent
S$1,900 - S$6,300
Groceries/mo
S$500
Transport Pass
S$130
Full breakdown

The up-front bill, moving to Singapore

Rental Deposit

2 month(s) of rent

Agency Fee

1 month(s) of rent

Registration & Admin

S$0

Usually 1-2 months deposit. Agent fee ~0.5-1 month. Stamp duty on lease applies.

Also considering leaving Philippines for somewhere else?

See what your salary looks like in Singapore

Type in your gross pay. We'll show what lands after tax, which neighborhoods you can actually afford, and how much is left over each month.

Questions people actually ask

How does Singapore compare to Philippines on cost of living?

It depends on the city. In Singapore, a one-bed runs S$1,900 to S$6,300 and groceries land around S$500 a month.

Do I need a visa to work in Singapore from Philippines?

Employment Pass for professionals (min S$5,000 salary). S Pass for mid-skilled. Dependent passes available. If you hold an EU passport: Same as non-EU. Work visa required. 90-day tourist visa-free.. Expect processing to take 3-8 weeks. Double-check the current rules with the Singapore immigration authority before you book anything.

How does healthcare work in Singapore once you arrive?

Singapore runs a Public + Mandatory Savings (Medisave) system. CPF Medisave covers basic care. Private insurance common for comprehensive coverage. World-class hospitals. Public coverage is roughly S$0 a month. Private sits around S$200.

How much tax will I pay in Singapore?

On S$6,000 gross a month, you're looking at roughly 2250.0% effective. That leaves about S$4,651 in your account. The real number moves with your income, your city, and your situation.

What up-front money do I need to move from Philippines to Singapore?

Budget 2 month(s) of rent for the deposit, plus another 1 month(s) for the agency fee. Registration and paperwork usually come in around S$0. Usually 1-2 months deposit. Agent fee ~0.5-1 month. Stamp duty on lease applies.