Moving to Singapore from the UK: Your 2026 Relocation Guide
Singapore consistently sits at the top of UK movers’ shortlists for Asia, and for clear reasons. English is the working language of business and government. The financial system, legal framework and infrastructure are world-class. Personal tax is meaningfully lower than the UK across most income bands. The Changi Airport hub puts the rest of Asia within two to seven hours, and London is a single flight away. None of this means Singapore is easy to move to. The work pass thresholds have risen sharply in recent years, permanent residency is genuinely selective, and the cost of housing has climbed faster than most other expat destinations.
This guide walks UK movers through what you actually need to know in 2026: the work pass routes, the realistic tax and cost picture, the practical sequence, and the small things that catch newcomers off guard. Where the rules are nuanced, we point you to the Ministry of Manpower, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore.
Why UK movers are looking at Singapore
Three things drive most UK to Singapore moves. The first is career. Senior roles in finance, technology, legal services, healthcare, shipping and consulting are concentrated here in a way matched by few other Asian cities, and the city-state remains a regional headquarters for a long list of multinationals. The second is tax. Personal income tax is progressive but capped at relatively modest top rates by UK standards, and there is no capital gains tax for individuals. The third is liveability. Public infrastructure that genuinely works, low everyday crime, excellent healthcare, and a food culture that rewards anyone willing to step beyond the familiar.
The trade-offs are real. Housing is expensive by any global standard. Singapore’s legal and social environment differs from UK norms in ways that should be respected fully. The summer is permanent and the humidity is high. None of these are reasons not to move.
Can you move to Singapore from the UK?
Yes, on the right work pass. UK passport holders can visit Singapore visa-free for up to 90 days, but you cannot live or work long term on visitor status. The standard route is sponsorship by a Singapore-based employer who applies for one of the work passes on your behalf. There are also self-sponsored options for high earners (the ONE Pass) and entrepreneurs (the EntrePass), and family-tied passes for spouses and dependants of pass holders.
Main work passes for UK movers
| Route | Best for | Key requirement | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass (EP) | Salaried professionals, managers, executives and specialists with a Singapore employer |
Sponsorship plus monthly salary above the published threshold (higher for finance roles),and meeting the COMPASS points framework |
Up to 2 years initial, renewable up to 3 years |
| S Pass | Skilled mid-level workers with technical qualifications |
Sponsorship plus monthly salary above the published threshold and qualifying skills |
Up to 2 years, renewable |
| Overseas Networks and Expertise (ONE) Pass | Top earners and exceptional talent across business, arts, sports and academia |
Recent monthly salary at or above the published high threshold, or recognised standout achievement |
5 years, self-sponsored, allows multiple concurrent roles |
| Tech.Pass | Established tech founders, leaders and experts |
Meeting two of three criteria across recent salary, leading product or company experience, or specific technical expertise |
2 years, self-sponsored |
| EntrePass | Founders setting up a Singapore-incorporated venture |
Innovative business plan, qualifying funding or accreditation, and prescribed milestones over time |
1 year initially, renewable on milestones |
| Dependant’s Pass / Long-Term Visit Pass | Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of a qualifying pass holder |
Sponsor on EP, S Pass, ONE Pass or Tech.Pass meeting the qualifying salary |
Tied to sponsor’s pass |
Employment Pass (EP)
The standard route for working-age UK movers. Your Singapore employer applies on your behalf, and the application is assessed on monthly salary plus the COMPASS points framework, which scores candidates across salary relative to sector, qualifications, employer diversity and skills shortage. The published salary threshold has risen meaningfully in recent years, with finance sector roles required to clear a higher bar than other industries. If you are negotiating an EP-sponsored move, confirm both the salary number and whether your employer is comfortable with COMPASS before you accept.
ONE Pass
Singapore’s flagship visa for top earners and exceptional talent, introduced in 2023. It is self-sponsored, valid for five years, and crucially lets holders work for multiple companies concurrently or run their own venture, which the EP does not. The threshold is a recent monthly salary at or above the published high level (currently S$30,000 in fixed monthly salary), or recognised standout achievement in business, arts, sports, science or academia. For senior UK movers who qualify, this is often the cleanest route.
Tech.Pass and EntrePass
Tech.Pass is aimed at established tech founders, leaders and technical experts. Eligibility is tested against three criteria across recent salary, leading product or company experience and specialist technical expertise; you need to meet two of the three. EntrePass is aimed at entrepreneurs setting up a Singapore-incorporated venture and requires an innovative business plan, qualifying funding or accreditation, and milestones across the renewal cycle. Both are self-sponsored, and both are best supported by professional advice given the document burden.
Permanent Residency: an honest take
Singapore PR is genuinely selective. There is no points-based fast track equivalent to Australia or Canada, and no investor route comparable to Malaysia’s MM2H or the Golden Visas of the Gulf. Most UK movers who eventually obtain PR do so after a few years on EP, ONE Pass or Tech.Pass, having built local roots through stable employment, tax contributions, and in many cases a Singaporean spouse or children. Application outcomes are not transparent, approval rates vary by year, and a strong professional profile does not guarantee approval.
This is worth understanding before you move. If your plan depends on PR within a fixed timeline, treat it as a possibility rather than a given. Singapore is a wonderful place to live as a long-term work pass holder, and many UK families do exactly that without ever obtaining PR.
Tax: what UK movers actually need to know
Singapore is not tax free, but personal income tax is meaningfully lower than the UK at most income bands. Tax residents pay progressive rates with a top marginal rate that sits well below UK comparable rates. There is no capital gains tax for individuals, no tax on dividends from Singapore-resident companies for individuals, and no inheritance tax. GST is the consumption tax and applies to most goods and services.
On the UK side, file the P85 with HMRC, confirm your position under the Statutory Residence Test, and plan the timing of any UK property sale or pension drawdown carefully. The HMRC residency guidance is a useful starting point. Singapore-UK tax planning is worth a proper conversation with a qualified accountant before you move.
Cost of living: a realistic picture
Singapore is one of the world’s most expensive cities to live in, and housing is the headline reason. Rents in central districts, including River Valley, Orchard, Tanglin and the Central Business District, are among the highest in Asia. Outside the central core, in areas like Tiong Bahru, Tanjong Pagar, East Coast, Holland Village and the western and northern suburbs, rents drop meaningfully while remaining within easy MRT reach of the centre.
Day-to-day costs balance out for many UK movers. Public transport via the MRT and bus network is genuinely affordable. Hawker centres serve excellent food at prices that make eating out routine rather than an occasion. Healthcare is high quality but private and tied to your insurance plan. International schooling for families can be a substantial annual cost. Build your monthly budget around housing, schooling and healthcare cover first, then everything else.
Money, banking and currency
Singapore’s currency is the Singapore dollar. Major Singapore banks (DBS, OCBC, UOB) and international banks with a Singapore presence (HSBC, Standard Chartered, Citibank) require your work pass and a Singapore address to open a full local account, so plan for this in your first weeks rather than before arrival. For currency planning between GBP and SGD, Anglo Pacific’s dedicated currency partner since 2004 is Halo Financial, who can talk you through forward contracts and timing for one-off and recurring transfers.
A practical 6 to 9 month plan
- Confirm your work pass route. EP, S Pass, ONE Pass, Tech.Pass, EntrePass or Dependant’s Pass shapes every other timeline.
- Check the salary thresholds carefully and run the COMPASS points if you are aiming for an EP. Both have moved upward in recent years.
- Speak to a cross-border accountant about your UK tax exit, your Singapore tax position and any continuing UK income.
- Negotiate your full package: housing allowance, schooling, annual flight home, end-of-employment arrangements.
- Gather and apostille your UK documents: degree certificates, marriage and birth certificates, criminal record check from ACRO.
- Choose your first base. Most UK movers start with a six to twelve month rental in their preferred area before signing a longer tenancy.
- Get a removals quote and survey. Anglo Pacific surveys are free and have no obligation to book.
- Sort healthcare cover. Healthcare in Singapore is excellent but private for most expats. Check what your employer covers and what you need to top up.
- Book the move. Sea freight transit from the UK to Singapore typically runs around four to six weeks port to port.
- Notify HMRC, your council, your bank, your pension provider, your GP and the DVLA. The HMRC form is the P85.
- Arrive, complete your work pass formalities at MOM, register your address with ICA, open your local bank account and start to find your feet.
Pros and cons of moving to Singapore
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✓ English as the working language of business, government and most daily life
✓ Personal tax is meaningfully lower than the UK across most income bands ✓ World-class infrastructure, public transport via the MRT and excellent healthcare ✓ Among the lowest everyday crime rates of any major economy ✓ Strong international school network for families ✓ Changi Airport hub puts most of Asia within easy weekend reach ✓ ONE Pass and Tech.Pass offer self-sponsored routes for high earners and tech leaders ✓ Active and large UK and international community, particularly in finance, tech and consulting |
|
Where in Singapore should you live?
Singapore is small enough that no neighbourhood is far from anywhere else, but the character of each area varies more than first-time visitors expect. River Valley, Orchard and Tanglin sit closest to the central core and command the highest rents. Tiong Bahru, Tanjong Pagar and the CBD fringe blend heritage shophouses with newer condos and short walks to work for many finance professionals. East Coast (including Katong, Joo Chiat, Marine Parade) is popular with families for the proximity to international schools, beaches and the airport. Holland Village, Bukit Timah and the central west suit families who want greener space. The western and northern suburbs offer better value at the cost of a longer MRT commute. We cover this in detail in our cluster post on the best Singapore neighbourhoods for UK movers.
Frequently asked questions
Do UK citizens need a visa to move to Singapore?
UK passport holders can visit Singapore visa-free for up to 90 days, but living or working long term requires the right work pass. The most common routes are the Employment Pass for sponsored professionals, the S Pass for skilled mid-level workers, the ONE Pass for top earners and exceptional talent, the Tech.Pass for tech leaders, the EntrePass for founders, and the Dependant’s Pass for family. Each is set by the Ministry of Manpower.
Is Singapore tax free?
No. Singapore is not tax free, but personal income tax is meaningfully lower than the UK at most income bands. Tax residents pay progressive rates with a top marginal rate well below comparable UK rates. There is no capital gains tax for individuals, no tax on individual dividends from Singapore-resident companies, and no inheritance tax. GST is the consumption tax and applies to most goods and services.
How hard is it to get Singapore PR?
Singapore PR is genuinely selective. There is no points-based fast track and no investor route equivalent to schemes elsewhere. Most UK movers who obtain PR do so after a few years on EP, ONE Pass or Tech.Pass, having built local roots through stable employment, tax contributions, and in many cases a Singaporean spouse. Approval is not transparent and a strong professional profile does not guarantee success. Treat PR as a possibility, not a given.
Does Singapore allow dual citizenship?
No. Singapore does not permit dual citizenship for adults, which means Singaporean naturalisation requires renouncing your British citizenship. Many long-term UK residents settle on PR rather than naturalisation precisely because of this rule. If lifelong Singaporean citizenship is part of your plan, take legal advice on both sides before committing.
How much does it cost to move to Singapore?
Plan for shipping, rental deposit and first month of rent (Singapore landlords typically ask for one to three months’ deposit), set-up costs and a contingency. Many UK to Singapore moves we handle fall into a meaningful one-off range depending on household size, with the Singapore rental market being the largest variable. International schooling and healthcare are the big ongoing items to budget for.
What is COMPASS and does it apply to me?
COMPASS is the points-based framework used to assess Employment Pass applications. Candidates score across salary relative to sector, qualifications, employer diversity and whether they fill a skills shortage. Most EP applicants need to meet COMPASS as well as the salary threshold, with some exemptions for very high earners. Your sponsoring employer typically guides you through the assessment.
What is the best way to ship belongings to Singapore?
For a full household, sole-use sea freight to the Port of Singapore is usually the right choice on cost. For a partial home, shared container space (groupage) is more economical with a slightly longer transit. Singapore apartments are often smaller than UK equivalents, so cull before you ship. Air freight or baggage shipping covers urgent items.
The final word
Singapore in 2026 rewards UK movers who arrive informed. The combination of low tax, English working language, world-class infrastructure and Asia-wide connectivity remains genuinely strong, but the pass thresholds have risen, PR is selective, and the cost of housing is real. Move with the right pass for your situation, get the tax exit clean in the UK, build a household budget around housing first, and the move tends to land well.
If you would like a free survey for your move to Singapore, the team at Anglo Pacific has been shipping British homes overseas for more than forty years. Request a quote on our shipping to Singapore page or international shipping service.
