By the WahLiao desk · Last verified 29 September 2026

Foreigners living in Singapore can use its excellent public and private healthcare, but pay non-resident rates and are not covered by MediShield Life, the national insurance for citizens and permanent residents. Employers must buy medical insurance of at least S$60,000 a year for S Pass and Work Permit holders; there is no such requirement for Employment Pass holders, so check your company plan and insure your family yourself if it falls short.

Healthcare here is fast, clean and high quality, and for residents it is heavily subsidised. For foreigners, the same care comes at full price, which is why insurance is the first healthcare decision to make, not the last.

Healthcare for new residents: quick facts

Public insurance	MediShield Life covers citizens and permanent residents; not foreigners
S Pass and Work Permit holders	Employer must buy medical insurance for inpatient care and day surgery of at least S$60,000 a year
Employment Pass holders	No mandatory employer insurance; most employers offer a plan, but check its limits
Dependants	Not covered by any mandatory scheme; insure them yourself or through your employer
Seeing a doctor	Private GP clinics are the usual first stop; polyclinics charge non-residents higher rates
Emergency	995 for an ambulance

The WahLiao Verdict

Quality	Among the best in the world.
The catch	Foreigners pay unsubsidised rates, and a hospital stay can be expensive.
Do first	Read your employer’s plan: limits, family cover and pre-existing conditions.
Worth buying	Private cover for anything your employer’s plan leaves out, especially for dependants.
Register	With a GP near home, before you need one.

What your employer must provide

For every S Pass and Work Permit holder, employers must buy and maintain medical insurance covering inpatient care and day surgery, including conditions that are not work-related, with an annual claim limit of at least S$60,000. The cost cannot be passed on to the worker. There is no equivalent legal requirement for Employment Pass holders, although most employers provide group insurance. Ask for the policy summary and check the limits, the exclusions, and whether your family is covered.

Seeing a doctor

Private GP clinics are the normal first stop for illness; you walk in, register with your pass, and usually leave with medicine dispensed on the spot. Public polyclinics treat foreigners at non-resident rates, which are not cheaper than a private GP. For emergencies, call 995 or go to a hospital’s emergency department. Our visitor guide to healthcare costs gives typical consultation fees.

Insuring your family

Dependants are not covered by any mandatory scheme. If your employer’s plan does not include them, look at private health insurance or international health plans, and check waiting periods and pre-existing condition rules before you buy. WahLiao does not recommend specific policies.

Healthcare: FAQ

Is healthcare free for foreigners in Singapore?

No. Foreigners pay non-resident rates at public hospitals and polyclinics, and are not covered by MediShield Life.

Does my employer have to give me medical insurance?

For S Pass and Work Permit holders, yes: at least S$60,000 a year for inpatient care and day surgery. For Employment Pass holders, there is no legal requirement, though most employers offer cover.

Are my children covered by my employer’s insurance?

Only if the plan says so. Mandatory cover applies to the worker, not dependants.

What number do I call in a medical emergency?

995 for an ambulance.

Read next

This page belongs to Moving to Singapore. Bringing medication with you? The Escape’s guide to travelling with medication and Visiting Singapore’s healthcare guide explain HSA’s three-month rule.

Sources checked 29 September 2026: MOM, S Pass medical insurance requirements; MOM on Ask.gov.sg, the S$60,000 minimum; Expatica on polyclinic non-resident fees. General information, not medical or insurance advice. Last updated 29 September 2026.