Moving to Singapore: tax, residence and real costs (2026)
Singapore: 0% on foreign income · up to 24% on Singapore income · 0% on gains and dividends. The cheapest route to residence is entrePass or ONE Pass if you qualify; GIP SGD 10 M+: about USD 1,500 in fees doing it yourself, with no investment, in about 3 months. Living costs about USD 3,100 a month for one person in Singapore City, USD 2,800 in Bukit Merah, and around USD 2,250 on a bare-minimum budget.
Key facts
| Tax in one line | 0% on foreign income · up to 24% on Singapore income · 0% on gains and dividends |
| Foreign income | not taxed for individuals (except via partnerships) |
| Gains · dividends | 0 · 0 (one-tier) |
| Wealth · inheritance tax | none · none |
| Cheapest residence | EntrePass or ONE Pass if you qualify; GIP SGD 10 M+ |
| Money needed | About USD 1,500 in fees doing it yourself, with no investment |
| Time | about 3 months |
| Doable yourself? | Use a licensed agent or lawyer |
| Days you must spend there | 183 |
| Citizenship | PR then 2+ years |
| Online business | 10% effective, about USD 4,000 a year to run: Pte Ltd 17% with partial exemptions, ~8-10% on small profits |
| Living (one person a month) | Singapore City ~USD 3,100; bare minimum ~USD 2,250; family of four ~USD 7,050 |
| Good for | family offices (13O/13U tax exemptions), VCC funds, no capital gains tax; Asia's banking hub |
| Common set-up | a single-family office with a 13O or 13U exemption (S$20 M / S$50 M assets) or the GIP |
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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Programmes
| Programme | All-in, one person | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Investor Programme | USD 7.5 million | 12 | S$10 M in a business, S$25 M in a fund, or a S$50 M family office. |
Questions
- How much does residence in Singapore cost?
- EntrePass or ONE Pass if you qualify; GIP SGD 10 M+: about USD 1,500 in fees doing it yourself, with no investment, about 3 months.
- Does Singapore tax foreign income?
- Not taxed for individuals (except via partnerships). In one line: 0% on foreign income · up to 24% on Singapore income · 0% on gains and dividends.
- What does it cost to live in Singapore?
- Living costs about USD 3,100 a month for one person in Singapore City, USD 2,800 in Bukit Merah, and around USD 2,250 on a bare-minimum budget (based on livingcost.org, 2026).
- Can I run an online business from Singapore?
- Effective tax about 10% with the cheapest legal set-up, which costs about USD 4,000 a year: Pte Ltd 17% with partial exemptions, ~8-10% on small profits.
- What is the catch in Singapore?
- Very expensive; GIP is big money; Hot and small
- What residence or citizenship programmes does Singapore have?
- Global Investor Programme: about USD 7.5 million all-in for one person, ~12 months
Compare
- Hong Kong: 0% on foreign income · 15-17% on Hong Kong income · 0% on dividends and gains
- Malaysia: 0% on foreign income (individuals, until 2036) · up to 30% on Malaysian income
- Thailand (LTR visa): LTR visa: 0% on foreign income · others: foreign income taxed when brought in · up to 35% local
- Philippines: foreigners: 0% on foreign income · up to 35% on local income
- Indonesia (Bali): first 4 years (experts): 0% on foreign income · up to 35% on local income
Compare all 53 places with your own income and budget →
Sources
- https://www.iras.gov.sg
- Living costs: based on livingcost.org (livingcost.org, June 2026), rounded