Moving from UK to Singapore: Complete Guide – What You Really Need to Know
Moving from UK to Singapore: Complete Guide means understanding visas, cost of living, housing, and lifestyle differences so you can relocate safely and confidently. Based in Singapore, Homejourney helps UK expats compare UK vs Singapore, plan their move, and find verified homes in safe neighbourhoods with full transparency.
This cluster article supports our main Singapore Expat & Relocation Pillar Guide by zooming in on the UK–Singapore journey, especially for those comparing London vs Singapore, considering expat relocation, or exploring property investment in Asia.
1. UK vs Singapore: Key Differences at a Glance
When UK expats ask if Singapore is right for them, the real question is usually: how does daily life, work and property investment compare between living UK and living in Singapore?
- Climate: Singapore is hot and humid (around 26–32°C year-round), with no seasons. Expect sudden showers, especially in November–January. Coming from London or Manchester, the constant heat is the biggest shock.
- Time zone: Singapore is typically 8 hours ahead of GMT (and 7 hours ahead of British Summer Time). This matters if you work with UK teams or manage UK investments.
- Language: English is an official language and the main working language, which makes the transition from the UK much smoother than other Asian hubs.
- Safety: Singapore consistently ranks among the safest cities in the world, with very low violent crime rates, reliable public transport and strong enforcement of laws.[7]
- Tax & income: Singapore uses a progressive individual income tax system, generally lower than the UK, and taxes only income earned in Singapore.[4][7]
For a deeper lifestyle comparison beyond this Moving from UK to Singapore: Complete Guide, read: UK vs Singapore: Property & Lifestyle Comparison | Homejourney UK vs Singapore: Property & Lifestyle Comparison | Homejourney .
2. Visas and Work Passes for UK Citizens
Most UK nationals come first as visitors, then stay long term on a work or family pass. Here’s how it works in practice.
Short Stays (Up to 90 Days)
UK citizens do not need a visa for short stays (up to 90 days) for tourism or business, but you must submit the SG Arrival Card and meet entry requirements (6 months passport validity, onward ticket, sufficient funds).[3][7]
Long-Term Work & Residency
To live and work in Singapore, you must hold a valid pass from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The main options for UK professionals include:[3][4]
- Employment Pass (EP): For professionals, managers, executives. Minimum qualifying salary around SGD 5,000/month (higher for more experienced roles). Your Singapore employer applies on your behalf.[3][4]
- S Pass: For mid-level skilled staff, with a lower salary threshold than EP but quota and levy requirements for employers.[4]
- EntrePass / business routes: For entrepreneurs starting venture-backed or innovative businesses in Singapore.[4]
- Dependant’s Pass / Long-Term Visit Pass: For spouses and children of EP or S Pass holders.[3]
Always cross-check with the Ministry of Manpower and UK Government guidance before applying, as criteria and salary thresholds are updated frequently.[3][4][7] If your case is complex (self-employed, remote worker, mixed income), seek advice from a qualified immigration or tax professional.
3. Cost of Living: London vs Singapore
From a UK perspective, housing and schooling are the biggest jumps when moving to Singapore. Based on recent expat data and UK–Singapore relocation guides, here is a realistic range for central locations like River Valley, Tanjong Pagar or Novena.[1][4][5]
- Rent (1-bedroom condo in central Singapore): roughly SGD 2,500–4,000/month depending on age of project, facilities, and walking distance to MRT.[1][5]
- Rent (1-bedroom in central London): roughly £1,500–2,500/month (excluding council tax and higher utility bills).[1]
- Public transport: A typical MRT/bus journey in Singapore costs about SGD 1–2 with a stored-value card, compared to roughly £2.50–5 on London’s Tube/bus system.[1]
- Everyday meals: Hawker centre meals often fall in the SGD 5–10 range, while a casual restaurant can be SGD 20–40 per person. In London, broadly expect £10–20 for a similar casual meal.[1][4]
Overall, multiple expat cost of living analyses suggest Singapore is slightly cheaper than London in total, but housing and international school fees are heavy line items.[1][4][5] For a full financial view, pair this guide with UK vs Singapore Cost of Living: 2025 Guide by Homejourney UK vs Singapore Cost of Living: 2025 Guide by Homejourney .
If you are budgeting for a relocation, you can also use Homejourney’s property search Property Search to check current asking rents near target MRT lines and compare them to your UK rent.
4. Housing Options for UK Expats in Singapore
Singapore property rules are very different from the UK, especially around public housing. Understanding this early protects you from costly mistakes.
Renting as a Newcomer
Most UK expats start by renting for at least 1–2 years. Standard private leases in Singapore are usually 2 years, though 1-year terms are possible with negotiation.[6]
- Popular expat areas: River Valley, Orchard, Robertson Quay for central living; Holland Village and Bukit Timah for a more suburban feel; Tanjong Pagar and Tiong Bahru if you want heritage plus convenience.
- Insider tip: If you work in the CBD (Raffles Place, Marina Bay), living along the East-West (green) or North-East (purple) MRT lines can cut your commute to under 25 minutes while avoiding premium Orchard prices.
- Viewings: Try to schedule 5–8 physical viewings over 2–3 days once you land. Photos can be misleading on size; older condos often have larger floor areas than newer ones.
To explore real projects and price ranges by district, use the Homejourney projects directory Projects Directory . Every listing on Homejourney is screened with safety and accuracy in mind, so you can compare options with more confidence.
Buying Property as a Foreigner
For UK citizens, the rules for buying in Singapore are clear-cut:[3]
- Condos/apartments: Foreigners can freely buy private condominiums and apartments.
- HDB flats: Foreigners cannot buy new HDB flats and can only buy resale HDB flats if they first obtain Singapore Permanent Resident status.[3]
- Landed property: Requires approval under the Residential Property Act; approvals are rare and usually for high-contribution individuals.[3]
If you are exploring property investment rather than immediate relocation, read UK vs Singapore: Property Investment Guide | Homejourney UK vs Singapore: Property Investment Guide | Homejourney and browse current launches via the Homejourney projects page Projects .
For financing in Singapore, compare bank packages via our mortgage and bank rates tools Bank Rates . Do note that foreign buyers may face additional stamp duties and different loan-to-value limits, so always confirm with a licensed banker or financial adviser.
5. Life on the Ground: Everyday Living for UK Expats
Beyond paperwork, Moving from UK to Singapore: Complete Guide is really about whether daily life works for you and your family.
Transport & Getting Around
- MRT & buses: Clean, safe and air-conditioned. Trains typically run from around 5:30am to just after midnight. Tap in using contactless bank cards or stored-value cards.
- Insider tip: For morning commutes, trains into Raffles Place from the East-West line (e.g., Eunos, Paya Lebar) are busiest 8–9am. If possible, shift meetings to start at 9:30am to avoid peak crush.
- Driving:
References
