Labor market
A work permit (“ Employment Pass ”) can be obtained from the Ministry of Manpower (Labor). You can also apply online at: mom.gov.sg
Application requirements are:
- Job offer in Singapore
- Work as a manager or special activity
- Fixed monthly salary of at least S $ 3,600 (Older, more experienced applicants need higher salaries to qualify)
- Recognized qualifications, good certificates or special skills must be proven
According to countryvv, the employer or an appointed recruitment agency must apply on behalf of the applicant. If the holder of the card changes jobs, the new employer must apply for a new card. When applying for the first time, the visa is issued for up to 2 years. The cost for this is S $ 70. If all goes well, you have the visa after 8 weeks. If you apply online, it only takes up to 3 weeks.
The following documents are required for the application:
- Copy of the passport
- The last job references
- Evidence of training, e.g. diploma
The visa can be extended for 3 years for S $ 150. The processing time is the same as for the first application. An extension can be made 6 months before the current visa expires.
The S-Pass is intended for qualified foreign workers (e.g. technicians) who meet the following criteria:
- Fixed monthly salary of at least S $ 2,200 (Older, more experienced applicants need higher salaries to qualify)
- Completed studies or diploma (e.g. certificates from courses for qualified technicians). The certification should include at least 1 year of full-time study
- Years of professional experience
An employer or an appointed recruitment agency must apply on behalf of the applicant. If the holder of the card changes jobs, the new employer must apply for a new card.
The visa is issued for 2 years. The application costs are S $ 60. As soon as the visa is issued, there is an additional cost of S $ 80. This visa can also be extended by 3 years. Costs: S $ 80. You can apply for an extension 6 months before the current visa expires. Processing time: 3 weeks (online)
The economy rests on three pillars, the service sector (68 percent of GDP), the manufacturing industry and the international financial center. Despite the economic crisis, unemployment is low. Housing construction and tourism, among others, are suitable for investors.
Cost of living
Grocery costs averaged around S $ 200 per person per month. Transport costs are around S $ 75 a month if you use public transport and up to S $ 400 if you use a taxi predominantly.
You need around € 5,115.14 in Singapore to maintain the standard of living that you could have in Berlin with € 3,700.00 (assuming you rent in the cities).
- Consumer prices in Singapore are 19.30% higher than in Berlin (excluding rent)
- Singapore consumer prices are 38.25% higher than Berlin (including rent)
- Rental prices in Singapore are 80.33% higher than in Berlin
- Restaurant prices in Singapore are 0.28% higher than in Berlin
- Food prices in Singapore are 28.25% higher than in Berlin
- The local purchasing power in Singapore is 5.43% lower than in Berlin
Average cost of living in Singapore (from 11/2019 – 10/2020)
| Restaurant | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Food, price w. restaurant | 9.38 | 3.75 – 18.76 |
| Middle class, 3 courses for 2 people. | 43.76 | 31.26-75.02 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l | 6.25 | 3.13-9.38 |
| Imported beer, 0.33 l | 7.50 | 5.00-10.63 |
| cappuccino | 3.49 | 1.88-5.00 |
| Coca / Pepsi (0.33 l) | 1.12 | 0.63-1.88 |
| Water (0.33 l) | 0.86 | 0.63-1.25 |
| Food | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Milk (1 L) | 1.90 | 1.25-3.13 |
| White bread (500g) | 1.43 | 0.94-3.00 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 1.74 | 0.94-3.13 |
| Eggs (12) | 1.90 | 1.31-2.63 |
| Local cheese (1kg) | 14.19 | 6.22-31.26 |
| Chicken breast fillet (1kg) | 6.00 | 2.88-10.63 |
| Beef (1kg) | 13.48 | 6.25-31.26 |
| Apples (1kg) | 2.89 | 1.25-5.00 |
| Bananas (1kg) | 2.11 | 1.25-3.75 |
| Oranges (1kg) | 2.54 | 1.88-5.10 |
| Tomatoes (1kg) | 1.83 | 1.00-3.13 |
| Potatoes (1kg) | 1.60 | 0.63-2.60 |
| Onions (1kg) | 1.65 | 0.94-3.13 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 1.37 | 0.84 – 2.31 |
| Water (1.5 l) | 1.08 | 0.56-1.88 |
| Bottle of wine (middle class) | 18.76 | 12.50-31.26 |
| Local beer (0.5 l) | 3.10 | 1.89-5.00 |
| Imported beer (0.33 l) | 3.84 | 2.00 – 6.25 |
Average costs for local transport, utilities, clothing, leisure, education of Singapore (from 11/2019 – 10/2020)
| Mode of Transport | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| One-time ticket | 1.13 | 0.75-1.56 |
| Monthly pass | 75.02 | 46.89-80.03 |
| Taxi base amount | 2.31 | 2.00-3.13 |
| Taxi 1 km | 0.46 | 0.31-0.75 |
| Ancillary housing costs | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| for 85 sqm apartment (electricity, water, garbage, etc. | 95.69 | 62.52-171.69 |
| 1 minute prepaid mobile tariff | 0.15 | 0.05-0.31 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable / ADSL) | 28.08 | 18.76-43.76 |
| Clothes, shoes | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | 55.56 | 31.26-93.72 |
| Summer dress (Zara, H&M,… | 32.98 | 18.76-49.39 |
| Nike sports shoes, middle class | 74.78 | 50.02-100.03 |
| Leather business shoes | 86.88 | 50.02-137.54 |
| leisure time | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Fitness center, month / adult | 85.04 | 37.51-125.04 |
| Tennis, 1 hour on weekends | 8.66 | 5.94-12.50 |
| a movie ticket | 8.13 | 6.25-9.38 |
| training | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Preschool / Kindergarten, private, whole day, monthly per child | 783.28 | 500.16 – 1,250.40 |
| International primary school per year and child | 18,467.66 | 12,503.96 – 26,258.32 |
Rental costs vary depending on the place of residence, additional facilities and equipment of the apartment. A four-room apartment outside the center costs around S $ 2,500 a month. Single rooms are currently around S $ 1,000. There are also bills for water, gas and electricity (especially for air conditioning).
Average rental prices / purchase and salaries of Singapore (from 11/2019 – 10/2020)
| Monthly rental price | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city center | 1,808.48 | 1,250.40-2,500.79 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) outside the center | 1,173.75 | 875.28 – 1,688.03 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city center | 3,357.73 | 2,250.71-5,626.78 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside the center | 1,998.23 | 1,500.48-3,125.99 |
| Purchase price of apartments | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Price per square meter for an apartment in the city – purchase | 17,071.57 | 13,459.15-20,188.73 |
| Price per square meter – apartment outside the center – purchase | 8,466.23 | 5,314.18 – 11,440.28 |
| wages | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Average monthly salary (after taxes) | 3,051.01 | – |
Emigration and Living Singapore
The country offers a good standard of living, good prospects and some great investment opportunities as the economy and real estate market are quite strong. However, the recreational value is limited due to the high population density and limited space. Private car ownership is strictly regulated. Before you can buy a car, you must first acquire an authorization for it. There is left-hand traffic here!
