How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Singapore?
The average cost of an individual international health insurance plan in Singapore was USD 6,855 (approximately SGD 8,801) in 2025. Expats in Singapore are not eligible for public health insurance. They must either rely on an employer-provided plan or buy a private plan on their own.
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Are you an expat moving to Singapore? Are you unsure of what the average premium is for health insurance in the country? The insurance experts at Pacific Prime have created this guide to help you understand what you can expect to pay for health insurance in Singapore.
We will share the average health insurance costs in Singapore, explain the factors that affect insurance premiums, and more. Keep reading to learn more, or click here for a free health insurance quote!
Health Insurance Costs in Singapore for Expats
The cost of health insurance for expats in Singapore will vary depending on their private health insurance provider and plan. Expats are not eligible for the public health insurance, MediSheild Life, and must purchase their own private health insurance from a local or international provider.
Expats working in Singapore on an S-pass or a work permit may have their employers provide health insurance for them. The Ministry of Manpower requires this employer-provided health insurance to meet the following requirements:
- An annual claim limit of at least $60,000
- A copayment of 75% by insurers and 25% by employers for claim amounts above $15,000
Expats who are not employed in Singapore will have to seek health insurance coverage on their own. Expats in Singapore can expect to pay more for their health insurance in Singapore, as private health insurance premiums are higher in the country than in most other Asian countries.
Private Health Insurance Costs in Singapore
In 2025, the average annual international health insurance premium for an individual policy in Singapore was USD 6,855 (approximately SGD 8,801). The annual average cost for a family policy was USD $19,879 (approximately SGD 25,521) in the same year.
Prices for health insurance plans differ across insurance companies. Private health insurance plans from local providers may be less expensive than international health insurance providers, but they offer less geographical coverage and may offer lower maximum limits.
Private health insurance rates can rise or fall annually. Pacific Prime’s data shows us a 2% decrease in individual and family international health insurance premiums for Singapore from 2023 to 2025, but a large increase from 2020 to 2021 of 22.6%.
Comparing Singapore Health Insurance Costs to Other Asian Countries
Singapore ranks high for average international health insurance costs in Asia, with only Hong Kong having more expensive health insurance premiums. The table below illustrates the cost of private health insurance in Singapore compared to other Asian countries.
Individual International Health Insurance Annual Premiums in Asia |
|
| Country | Annual Average Premium (2025) |
| Hong Kong | USD $8,339 (around SGD 10,706) |
| Singapore | USD $6,855 (around SGD 8,801) |
| China | USD $5,915 (around SGD 7,594) |
| Taiwan | USD $5,710 (around SGD 7,331) |
| Japan | USD $5,228 (around SGD 6,712) |
| South Korea | USD $5,226 (around SGD 6,709) |
| Malaysia | USD $4,969 (around SGD 6,379) |
| India | USD $4,715 (around SGD 6,053) |
| Vietnam | USD $4,547 (around SGD 5,838) |
Singapore is also ranked the second most expensive Asian country for family health insurance premiums. We have compared average costs of family health insurance premiums across Asia in the table below.
Family International Health Insurance Annual Premiums in Asia |
|
| Country | Annual Average Premium (2025) |
| Hong Kong | USD $23,558 (around SGD 30,244) |
| Singapore | USD $19,879 (around SGD 25,521) |
| China | USD $19,188 (around SGD 24,634) |
| Thailand | USD $18,027 (around SGD 23,144) |
| Taiwan | USD $15,891 (around SGD 20,401) |
| Japan | USD $14,670 (around SGD 18,834) |
| South Korea | USD $14,660 (around SGD 18,821) |
| Malaysia | USD $13,889 (around SGD 17,831) |
| India | USD $13,016 (around SGD 16,710) |
| Vietnam | USD $12,505 (around SGD 16,054) |
These average costs are proprietary data collected by Pacific Prime through their experience with helping expats find health insurance solutions that work for them.
Factors That Affect Health Insurance Costs in Singapore
Factors that affect health insurance costs in Singapore can include age and health history, coverage level of your plan, your deductible, and more. Public health insurance and private health insurance will have different factors that affect their costs for expats.
- Your Age: Your age will affect your insurance premium due to insurance providers charging more for older individuals. This is due to the higher financial risk associated with insuring older individuals.
- The Number of Your Dependents: The number of dependents in your household (if you have them) will directly affect your insurance premium by increasing it per dependent.
- The Coverage Level of Your Plan: Plans with high levels of coverage and high annual maximum limits will always cost more than basic plans that only offer emergency coverage. This includes plans with specialized coverage like outpatient, vision, and dental.
- Your Deductible: Whether you choose a low, medium, or high deductible will directly affect your premium. Your deductible is the amount the policyholder pays before the insurance company begins to pay. High deductible plans cost less than low deductible plans.
- Your Health History: Your health history, including any pre-existing conditions, will affect your health insurance premiums. Some insurance providers won’t cover your pre-existing condition, or if they do, they will at a higher premium.
- Your Income: For public health insurance, your monthly contributions will depend on your income. Employed expats will have their monthly contributions taken out of their paychecks, while self-employed expats will have to pay based on their income.
To learn more about the factors that affect the cost of health insurance, download our guide, The Cost of International Health Insurance Report 2024.
How to Reduce Private Health Insurance Costs in Singapore
Expats in Singapore interested in securing a private health insurance plan can help keep their annual or monthly premiums affordable by comparing plans from different providers, customizing their coverage, and choosing a high-deductible plan.
1. Compare a Variety of Plans from Different Providers
Compare a variety of plans from different private health insurance providers before you choose a plan. You may find a plan that has higher coverage for a better price than one from a different health insurance provider. You can use free quote tools to help compare plans more efficiently.
When comparing separate plans, make sure you analyze the geographical coverage, annual limits, benefits covered, and exclusions. Take your time with this step so you don’t miss any key points. Comparing plans can help you find the most affordable solution for your health insurance needs.
2. Customize Your Health Insurance Coverage
Don’t pay for coverage you don’t need, and customize your coverage in your health insurance plan. Are you unsure if you’ll need vision coverage? Don’t choose a plan with vision riders. If you don’t think you’ll need outpatient coverage, choose inpatient-coverage-only plans.
3. Choose a High-Deductible Health Insurance Plan
Choosing a high-deductible plan can lower your annual or monthly premium. With a high-deductible plan, the insurance company will pay less upfront and shift more of the financial risk to the policyholder. This can help keep your health insurance premiums more affordable.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does Singapore have expensive healthcare?
Healthcare can be expensive in Singapore, especially for expats, as they are not eligible for government-subsidized medical care. The high prices of healthcare in Singapore are largely due to the high-quality and modern equipment, facilities, and highly specialized doctors.
Can expats receive free healthcare in Singapore?
Expats cannot receive free healthcare in Singapore. An expat receiving medical care in Singapore will either have to pay out of pocket or use their private health insurance coverage.
Are foreigners eligible for public health insurance in Singapore?
Foreigners are not eligible for public health insurance in Singapore. The public health insurance, Medishield Life, is only available for Singaporean citizens and permanent residents. Expats may receive employer-provided health insurance, but this generally only covers up to a limited amount.
What does expat health insurance cost in Singapore?
Expat health insurance in Singapore can vary in price depending on the plan. Individual expats in 2025 paid an average of USD 6,855 (approximately SGD 8,801) annually for international health insurance. Families paid an average of USD $19,879 (approximately SGD 25,521) in the same year.
How can expats get health insurance in Singapore?
Expats can get health insurance in Singapore through private health insurance providers or their employers. Private health insurance providers can be local or international, and offer short-term or long-term coverage. Working expats will have their health insurance provided automatically for them.
Conclusion:
Expats in Singapore must purchase their own private health insurance plan as they are not eligible for public health insurance coverage. Expats with an S-pass or working permit may have their health insurance provided through their employer.
Are you ready to begin shopping for your private health insurance plan for Singapore? Contact the insurance experts at Pacific Prime. We partner with a diverse range of top international health insurance providers in Singapore and across the globe.
We are brokers with over 20 years of experience in providing insurance solutions to expats and digital nomads worldwide. We can help you understand insurance quotes and plans and offer our unbiased advice. If you’d like to compare plans on your own, feel free to use our free quote generator.
If you’d like to read more helpful guides on health insurance costs for expats, check out our articles below:
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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