How Much Does it Cost to Move to Singapore From the UK in 2026

It’ll cost between £8,000 and £20,000+ to move from the UK to Singapore in 2026, depending heavily on whether you move solo or with family. 

This is the average cost for flights, visa fees, rental costs, health insurance and other essential services. Your total costs will vary depending on your requirements and circumstances.

Use our handy cost guide to help create a budget for your move to Singapore from the UK.

Breakdown of the Costs of Moving to Singapore

Visa and Document Costs

1. Skills Assessment – A skills assessment isn’t typically required when you apply for a work visa. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will look at your qualifications, experience, salary etc, but this will come at no extra cost. 
   
2. Authentication Fees – For some professions, you might need to authenticate your documents via a notary in the UK. Fees can range from £50 (SGD 85.62) to £100 (SGD 171.23) per document in the UK.
   
3. Mandatory Medical Check – Again, a medical check isn’t too common in Singapore, but you might require one if you are entering via an Employment Pass visa. This can cost between SGD 100 to SGD 300 (£58 to £175).
   
4. Police Clearance Certificate – You generally do not require a police clearance certificate, but for certain high-security jobs, you may need one. If required, a UK police certificate from ACRO costs £65 for the standard service or £115 for the premium two-day service (around SGD 111 to SGD 197).
   
5. Visa Application Fee – It’ll cost SGD 105 (£61) to apply for an Employment Pass visa and a further SGD 225 (£130) for the Issuance fee. The S Pass for skilled workers has the same application fee of SGD 105 (£61), but its issuance fee is SGD 100 (£58). The permanent residency visa application fee is SGD 100 (£58) with no further fees. 
   
6. Visa Assistance –  If you need basic assistance for the Employment Pass or S Pass, fees for visa assistance services range from £300 to £1,000 (SGD 513 to SGD 1,712).  This will include assistance with completing forms, document preparation and application submission. Costs can be as high as £3,000 (SGD 5136) plus for complex cases.

Travel and Relocation Costs

1. Flights From the UK to Singapore: A one-way flight ticket to Singapore from the UK typically starts around £400 (SGD 685) and can cost over £1,200 (SGD 2,050). The cost will depend on the time of year, flight class and destination flying from.
   
2. Shipping Your Belongings: 1st Move International’s shipping service to Singapore from the UK will cost roughly £2,596 (SGD 4445.18). This is the cost to ship the contents of a 3-bedroom home via a 20ft shipping container. 
   
3. Rental Deposits & Advance Rent: Monthly rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Singapore is around SGD 7,200 (£4,200) in the city centre, or roughly SGD 4,700 to SGD 5,500 in suburban areas, and you typically have to pay 1-2 months of rent as a deposit. You should aim to budget around SGD 14,000 (£8,200) for initial rental costs.
   
4. Health Insurance:  Citizens and permanent residents in Singapore are entitled to reduced healthcare costs and insurance schemes. Your employer might cover your health insurance costs but if not, you’ll need to seek health insurance for you and your family. Costs vary widely by plan type and age. An individual international plan averages around SGD 8,800 per year, and comprehensive family cover typically runs from around SGD 10,000 to SGD 25,000 per year, though basic local plans cost less.
   
5. Shipping Your Car: Shipping your car to Singapore from the UK will cost roughly £891 (SGD 1525.68) for container car shipping services from Southampton.
   
6. Shipping Your Pet: It’ll cost roughly £1,000 to £3,000 (SGD 1712.32 to SGD 5136.96) to use a pet relocation service from the UK to Singapore. This cost typically includes the flight. You’ll have to pay an import permit fee of between SGD 60 to SGD 80. Your pet may be subject to quarantine, which might cost between SGD 500 and SGD 1,000.
   
   

Average Salaries in Singapore

The median gross salary for a full-time resident worker in Singapore is around SGD 69,300 per year (roughly £40,500), or about SGD 59,000 excluding employer CPF contributions, according to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Singapore is a single city-state, so pay does not vary by residential town; it varies by industry, role and experience. By sector, the approximate median gross monthly figures are:

• Financial services: around SGD 8,700
• Information and communications (tech): around SGD 7,600
• Professional services: around SGD 6,900
• Manufacturing: around SGD 5,900
• Healthcare: around SGD 5,100
• Food and accommodation services: under SGD 3,000

Final Thoughts

The initial costs that come with moving to Singapore from the UK might seem expensive, but once you’ve settled in, your outgoings will be lower. For many people, the long-term benefits outweigh the upfront moving fees. From year-round warm weather to career opportunities, Singapore offers a high quality of life. 

You can use our guide on Singapore moving costs to create a budget for your move. This will help you avoid any hidden costs or nasty surprises. You can also get a free quote for your shipping costs with us. This will give you an accurate idea of what to expect. 

Moving to Singapore – We Can Help

When you’re ready to make the move to Singapore, get in touch with 1st Move International. We have over 25 years of experience in international moving, so we’re the first choice to get you moved safer, faster and smarter. We’ll take care of the whole move, from packing to final delivery in Singapore. Get a free, tailored quote for your removals to Singapore and begin your new adventure right away.