By the WahLiao desk · Last verified 28 September 2026
If you fall ill in Singapore, see a private GP first: clinics are everywhere, many open late, and doctors usually dispense medicine on the spot, so one visit covers diagnosis and treatment. Expect about S$40 to S$60 at a neighbourhood clinic and more in the city centre. For emergencies, call 995 or go to a hospital’s A&E. Bring travel insurance; visitors pay unsubsidised rates.
Singapore’s healthcare is excellent and quick, but it is not free for visitors. The trick is to use the right door: a GP for most things, A&E for real emergencies, and a pharmacist for the small stuff. And before you fly, check the rules for bringing your own medicines.
Healthcare for visitors: quick facts
| Emergency ambulance | 995 |
| Non-emergency ambulance | 1777 |
| First stop for most illness | A private GP clinic; many open evenings and some around the clock |
| GP consultation | About S$40 to S$60 in the neighbourhoods; often over S$100 in the CBD |
| Public polyclinic, non-resident | About S$85 to S$89 for a consultation |
| Pharmacies | In most malls and MRT-linked shopping centres |
| Bringing your own medicine | Up to 3 months’ supply without approval, if not controlled or prohibited, with a prescription copy |
The WahLiao Verdict
| Cost | A GP visit with medicine often totals under S$100; hospital care costs far more. |
| What you get | Fast, high-quality care, usually without an appointment. |
| The mistake | Going straight to a hospital specialist for something a GP can treat. |
| Worth having | Travel insurance with medical cover. Visitors get no subsidy. |
| Always | Call 995 for a real emergency. Do not delay care to save money. |
Seeing a doctor: start with a GP
Private general practitioners are the front door of Singapore healthcare. Walk in, register with your passport, and you will usually be seen within the hour. The doctor typically dispenses medicine at the clinic, so you leave with treatment rather than a prescription to fill elsewhere. A neighbourhood GP might charge S$40 to S$60 for the consultation, and a CBD clinic more than S$100, with medicines on top.
Public polyclinics treat visitors too, but at non-resident rates of about S$85 to S$89 for a consultation, so they are not cheaper than a private GP. Hospitals charge visitors unsubsidised rates, so start with a GP unless the problem is urgent.
Emergencies
For a medical emergency, call 995 for an ambulance, or go to the A&E department of the nearest hospital, open around the clock. The emergency ambulance is for genuine emergencies; for non-urgent transport, call 1777. A&E treats everyone, but expect a substantial bill as a visitor once tests are added, which is why insurance matters.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies sit in most malls and shopping centres, with pharmacists on duty for advice on minor complaints. Many common medicines are sold over the counter; some that are over the counter elsewhere need a doctor here. For anything more than a mild complaint, see a GP.
Bringing your own medicines
The Health Sciences Authority allows visitors to bring up to three months’ supply of personal medication without approval, as long as it is prescribed to you, contains no controlled substances needing approval, and contains nothing prohibited. Carry a copy of your prescription or a doctor’s letter, and keep each medicine in its original, labelled packaging. Medicines that break the rules can be confiscated. If yours contains a controlled substance, apply to HSA before you travel.
Health tips for your trip
Drink plenty of water; the heat and humidity catch visitors out. Use insect repellent in parks and at dusk, because dengue is present, and see a doctor about any high fever. Tap water is safe to drink. Is Singapore Safe? covers the other risks.
Healthcare for visitors: FAQ
How much does it cost to see a doctor in Singapore as a tourist?
About S$40 to S$60 for a consultation at a neighbourhood GP, and often over S$100 in the city centre, plus medicines.
What is the emergency number in Singapore?
995 for an ambulance or the fire service, and 999 for the police.
Can I bring my prescription medicine to Singapore?
Yes, up to three months’ supply without approval if it contains no controlled or prohibited substances. Carry your prescription and keep it in the original packaging.
Do tourists need travel insurance for Singapore?
It is strongly advised. Visitors pay unsubsidised rates, and hospital care can be expensive.
Read next
This page belongs to Visiting Singapore, our guide for first-time visitors. Before you fly, check SG Arrival Card and Singapore Entry Requirements, and for the heat, What to Wear in Singapore.
Sources checked 28 September 2026: Health Sciences Authority, travelling with personal medications; Expatica on polyclinic non-resident fees; Singapore Handbook on GP costs and the 1777 line; Nomedic on healthcare for visitors. This page is general information, not medical advice. Last updated 28 September 2026.
