How Singapore's Healthcare System Works for Expats
Singapore's healthcare is structured in three tiers. Polyclinics offer heavily subsidized primary care — but only for citizens and PRs. Public hospitals are partially subsidized for citizens/PRs but charge full unsubsidized rates to EP holders. Private hospitals (the primary choice for most expats) are world-class but expensive without insurance.
- MediShield Life (national insurance): mandatory for citizens and PRs only — EP holders are excluded
- Integrated Shield Plans (IPs): private top-up insurance layered above MediShield Life, not available to foreigners without PR
- EP holder healthcare: primarily covered by employer-provided group insurance — negotiate this before signing your contract
- Polyclinics: S$30–50 unsubsidized for non-citizens vs. S$8–12 for citizens — still affordable for routine issues
- Emergency: call 995 for SCDF ambulance (free transport); emergency department at public hospital charges full rates to non-citizens
- Annual check-up packages at private hospitals: S$300–1,200 — popular with health-conscious expats
