Have plans to move to Singapore? Unsure how to get healthcare coverage in your new home? Read on for all you need to know to make sure you’re safe and covered in case of emergencies!
There are a lot of things you need to take care of when you plan to move overseas – finding a place to live, getting a job, sorting through your paperwork, buying a plane ticket, learning a new language…
But one detail that is often forgotten about is health insurance.
Because as good as Singapore’s public healthcare is (it ranks as one of the best in the world!), you’re still required by law to have health insurance as an immigrant there because of their national Covid-19 policies. And that’s exactly what the list of companies and international health insurance plans below can help you with.
But before we talk about your options for health insurance as an immigrant in Singapore, we’ll first talk a bit about how the Singaporean health system works, what the difference is between travel insurance and expat insurance, what type of coverage you can expect from these health insurance plans, and much more.
(And make sure to keep until the end of the article for a section on the type of visasyou can apply for to begin living, studying, and working in Singapore!)
How does the healthcare system in Singapore work?
No matter where you move, it’s important to make sure you know how the medical system works in your new country. Especially in a place like Singapore, which is home to one of the best systems in the world.
In 2014, the financial analysis magazine Bloomberg named Singapore’s healthcare system as the most efficient in the world. The country is also home to the John Hopkins Singapore International Medical Centre, which is an affiliate of the well-known John Hopkins University in the United States, and has a vast network of hospitals you can choose from.
The Singapore healthcare system is managed by their Ministry of Health, who decides which medications and treatments are offered by the public system. They have several public funds that invest in healthcare, such as the contributions of their citizens, Medisave, Medishield, and Medifund.
The healthcare system is partially private and partially public, with citizens paying the government according to the costs of the medical staff, which can make treatments a little bit expensive.
Because of this, many patients look for cheaper alternatives to the public system.
With Covid-19, although the public health system is very well-equipped, immigrants are now required by law to have private health insurance so as to not overload the country’s health system.
Do I really need health insurance as an expat in Singapore?
If you have doubts about whether or not health insurance is required in Singapore…well, it is! As I said above, having a health insurance plan is a requirement that you have to meet as an expat.
So, of course, this is a major reason to make sure you have coverage like one of the ones I’ll recommend on the list below 🙂
But beyond this, an international health plan also helps you stay healthy and safe while in a new country with laws, systems, and customs that you may not be familiar with.
Because of this, having international health insurance coverage can give you the protection of medical care for any unexpected issues or emergencies. Not to mention, there are other benefits to having a health insurance policy (as we’ll discuss in the next section).
If I’m going to be an expat in Singapore, should I get an international health insurance policy like the ones listed in this article? Or is a private Singaporean health plan better?
Ultimately, this will be a personal decision that depends on your particular medical needs, how much coverage you want, the length of your stay in Singapore, and the options available for the national plans.
Both an international plan as well as a public plan should meet your requirement for insurance in Singapore (but if you do choose an international plan, check with your local Singaporean embassy to see what the minimum coverage requirement is.
I can’t speak personally on the public insurance plan options in Singapore since I haven’t lived there myself, but I am very familiar with the international insurance companies I’ll speak more about in this article.
All that said, here are some of the reasons you may want to choose an international health insurance plan instead of a public government plan:
- International health insurance may cost less per month
- International health insurance may be easier to use if you only have a short stay in Singapore (beyond also being a requirement for all travelers in the country!)
- International health insurance can be more flexible (this is important if you’re not yet sure how long you’ll stay in Singapore since you can easily renew, cancel, or update your policy)
- International health insurance offers coverage in other countries, not just in Singapore (there’s a reason it’s called “international” health insurance, after all)
Who do these health insurance plans give coverage to?
The health insurance companies that I’ll talk about below are for the following citizens who live in Singapore as immigrants, expats, workers, or even students:
- Americans
- Canadians
- Australians
- Brazilians
- Citizens of the European Union (Portuguese, French, Germans, Dutch, Spanish, Polish, Belgian, Swedish, etc.)
- Argentinian
- British (English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish)
- New Zealanders
- And for citizens of just about any other country
In general, since the plans and companies that I recommend below are international, they can be used by just any person just about anywhere since they have worldwide coverage!
Why can’t I just get a travel insurance plan for my move to Singapore? What is the difference between travel insurance and expat insurance?
Travel insurance is necessary for any trip since it’ll cover not just emergencies and medical problems, but also unexpected travel issues like lost baggage or canceled flights.
But it’s important to know that travel insurance is not made for expats. Although it is possible to have an extended travel insurance policy that covers you for long periods of time, these policies are made for travelers with temporary stays in a country. The coverage offered by travel insurance is not valid for someone who will be moving long-term to another country.
Because of this, you’ll need to choose a health insurance plan that offers specific coverage for expats. And that’s exactly what I’ll help you do in the list below.
What are the 7 best health insurance plans for expats and immigrants in Singapore?
Finding the right health insurance plan can be quite a stressor. To help with your decision, take a look at the following table comparing the companies that I’ll recommend in the list below. This way, you can see the pros and cons of each and make the choice that’s best for you.
After the table, you’ll have a detailed description of each of the companies, their plans, their benefits, and much more!
And as always, my biggest tip here is to get a quick quote online with all of the companies that I suggest here. It may take some time, but you can save a lot of money at the end of the day! 
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| BENEFIT | LIMIT | LIMIT | LIMIT | LIMIT | LIMIT | LIMIT | LIMIT |
| Benefit Information | |||||||
| Medical Maximum | Unlimited (for the Platinum plan) | $8,000,000 | The site doesn’t specify | Unlimited | US$1,000,000 per year | The site doesn’t specify | $1,000,000 |
| U.S. In-Network Coinsurance | You choose. From 70%(100% thereafter) to 100% | 100% | No | 60% for maximum coinsurance and then 100% | Yes, for higher fees | Only in emergencies | Yes |
| U.S. Out-of-Network Coinsurance | You choose. From 70%(100% thereafter) to 100% | 90% to $5,000 (100% thereafter) | Yes, for higher fees | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Mental Health Availability | No waiting period | 12-month waiting period | Co-payment of $25 per visit, waived deductible | 75% up to 40 visits / 60% after that | No | Waiting period of 10 months | Depends on the plan |
| Mental Health Benefit | Inpatient and Outpatient: $5,000 lifetime maximum to paid in full depending on the plan | Inpatient and Outpatient: $50,000 lifetime maximum | Co-payment of $250 after deductible | 100% up to 60 days | International and ambulance: limit not specified | ||
| Inpatient Prescription Drugs | $500 to paid in full depending on the plan | Up to $8,000,000 | Yes | Complete reimbursement | Yes | Yes | |
| Outpatient Prescription Drugs | None, unless you buy the International Outpatient Option | Up to $8,000,000 | Complete reimbursement | Yes | Yes | ||
| Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains | Paid in full | Up to $8,000,000 | Yes | Up to $25,000 | No | Up to 10,000 euros | Yes |
| Accidental Death & Dismemberment | Depends on the plan | Rider available, limit depends on age. | $50,000 | Depends on the plan | |||
| Emergency Dental | Paid in full | Up to $8,000,000 | Optional | 1,000 per year, $ 200 per tooth | Yes, however you need to pay an extra fee on top of your plan | Depending on the plan, it’s unlimited | It has coverage in the Diplomat Long Term and Diplomat International plans |
| Treatment Necessary as Result of Terrorism | Up to the amount of the coverage | Rider available up to $50,000-lifetime maximum | Clause available up to maximum of $50,000 in lifetime payments | ||||
| Amateur Sports | Unlimited | Rider available up to $10,000 | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Newborn Care | |||||||
| Routine Nursery Care of a Newborn Child of a Covered Pregnancy | $25,000 to $156,000 depending on the plan | $1,000 additional deductible, $50,000 lifetime maximum, $200 wellness benefit for first 12 months | Yes | Depends on the plan | Can be unlimited depending on the plan | Can be unlimited depending on the plan | |
| Children born as a result of fertility treatment (such as IVF or surrogacy) | Only after the baby is 90 days old | Excluded | Depends on the plan | Excluded | No | ||
| Neonatal Intensive Care Unit | Check website for updated information | $250,000 maximum for first 31 days | No | Up to $250,000 for the first 31 days | No | ||
| Pre-existing Conditions | |||||||
| Pre-existing condition exclusion period | Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness | Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness | Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness | Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness | Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness | Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness | Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness |
| Pre-existing condition look back period | Any time prior to effective date | Any time prior to effective date | Any time prior to effective date | Any time prior to effective date | Any time prior to the effective date | Any time prior to the effective date | Any time prior to the effective date |
| Pre-existing annual maximum once covered | Unlimited depending on the plan | Up to $8,000,000 | Unlimited depending on the plan | Unlimited depending on the plan | Full reimbursement | Unlimited depending on the plan | Unlimited depending on the plan |
| Pre-existing lifetime maximum once covered | Unlimited depending on the plan | Up to $8,000,000 | Unlimited depending on the plan | Unlimited depending on the plan | Full reimbursement | Unlimited depending on the plan | Unlimited depending on the plan |
Worldwide Medical Insurance / Comparison Chart*
Part of the table courtesy of Tokio Marine HCC
Note: This article and table were created with information that was accurate at the time of its publishing. This information is subject to changes and updates.
In my opinion, the best international health insurance companies for immigrants are:
- Cigna
- IMG
- Now Health
- Aetna
- Global Underwriters
- SafetyWing
- Foyer Global Health
1. Cigna
In first place today is Cigna. Cigna is a company from the United States with a large presence in Europe, and it’s a great option when it comes to international health insurance plans.
With more than 60 years in the health insurance game, Cigna is well-known and has more than 170 million clients spread across the globe. Nikki (my partner) even had the help of Cigna herself when she needed an insurance plan to get her residence card in Sweden.
Given that it’s such a large company, there’s a wide range of plans for you to choose from…including plans for immigrants who will work in Singapore.
If you’re going to be moving to Singapore, you can choose from family plans or individual plans. Another benefit of Cigna plans is that you can add benefits to your plan based on the types of medical care you need to be covered.
With Cigna, you can choose from the Silver, Platinum, or Gold plan, all of which offer coverage in more than 200 countries and territories.
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly plan to cover you while in Singapore, Cigna’s “Close Care” plan is a good option. This particular plan is the cheapest that Cigna offers since it only gives coverage in your country of origin and the country where you plan to reside.
Pros of an international health insurance plan with Cigna:
- 24-hour customer service, 7 days a week
- Flexible, tailored plans for whatever you need
- Offers coverage for Covid-19 and PCR tests
- No need to register or log in to get a quote
- They have a digital system that allows you to search for nearby hospitals and clinics
- In most cases, Cigna will pay health providers directly without you needing to use their reimbursement system
Cons of an international health insurance plan with Cigna:
- Some of their plans don’t cover maternity care
2. IMG
Another company well-known in the international insurance field is IMG. IMG has been in operation for more than 25 years and has 3 subsidiaries worldwide.
IMG has many plans to choose from, both for individual immigrants and entire families. They also have specific plans for specific types of travelers, like expats. You’ll also see that they have plans for long stays overseas of a year or more, as well as short-term stays.
IMG’s website is very easy to navigate as you can filter with your dates, plan duration, destination, and much more. Beyond the filters, you can also add additional personal details like your age and specific coverage needs.
By doing this, IMG can give you a detailed quote that lets you compare all your plans and coverage options so you can choose the best one.
Just make sure to review the details of each plan because IMG doesn’t cover all age groups and not all of their plans include Covid-19 coverage.
Pros of an international health insurance plan with IMG:
- 24-hour customer service, 7 days a week
- Very flexible and customizable plans
- More than 17,000 in-network doctors worldwide
Cons of an international health insurance plan with IMG:
- Not all of their plans offer Covid-19 coverage
- They don’t cover travelers 75 or older
Now Health International’s core mission is to provide a service that is efficient, affordable, and easily accessible, as indicated by its name. The company places a strong emphasis on fostering a close and trusting relationship with its customers. They ensure that plan information is presented in a straightforward and concise manner, and any questions or concerns are promptly addressed by their dedicated customer support team.
Now Health plans are meticulously crafted to meet the unique challenges experienced by those living abroad. They aim to provide comprehensive guidance and ensure access to high-quality healthcare services worldwide.
Pros of an international health insurance plan with Now Health:
- Customized plans according to your needs
- Clear information and excellent customer service team
- Provides coverage in 194 countries and territories
- Plans with high coverage routine maternity coverage
Cons of an international health insurance plan with Now Health:
- You must wait a 12-month grace period to use maternity coverage.
- In some procedures, it is necessary to use the company’s reimbursement system, which means that you would have to pay for your care initially
4. Aetna (acquired by Allianz)
Aetna is an award winner and leader in the area of international insurance. So if you’re looking for a plan you can trust before your move to Singapore, Aetna is a good company to consider.
Although they don’t offer a large variety of plans, all of the plans they do offer are quite flexible and have the possibility to add complementary coverage (like dental care). Their plans also include ample coverage of up to 5 million USD depending on the one you choose.
You can choose from family or individual plans, and you can also include coverage for repatriation or medical evacuation if desired.
As an expat, I recommend the Aetna Pioneer plan. This plan has a basic coverage of up to 1.75 million USD. If you’re interested in learning more, just fill out the form on their website to get an exact quote and see detailed information about all available plans.
Pros of an international health insurance plan with Aetna:
- 24-hour customer service, 7 days a week
- They offer maternal care coverage
- They have an app that makes it easy to locate health services and providers
- Can choose from short-, mid-, and long-term plans
- Pre-trip support available to answer questions on topics like vaccines and regularly-used medications
Cons of an international health insurance plan with Aetna:
- Not a ton of plans to choose from
- Price is above average compared to the others on this list
Global Underwriters is yet another well-known company when it comes to insurance. They have insurance programs that help immigrants, students, digital nomads, and expats with the goal of beginning life in a new country.
For anyone moving to Singapore, I recommend their Diplomat Long Term or Diplomat International Plan. Both of these offer complete coverage and generally include all that an immigrant may need in their new home.
Pros of an international health insurance plan with Global Underwriters:
- Up to 1 million USD of medical coverage in the plans mentioned above, plus 1 million USD of coverage for accidental death and dismemberment
- 24-hour customer service, 7 days a week
- The plans mentioned above include coverage for emergency dental, medical evacuations, and repatriation of mortal remains
Cons of an international health insurance plan with Global Underwriters:
- The Diplomat Long Term plan doesn’t cover travelers in Iran, Afghanistan, or Cuba
- The Diplomat International plan doesn’t have Covid-19 coverage
- Global Underwriters doesn’t work with residents of Australia, Iran, South Dakota, Maryland, or New York
6. SafetyWing
SafetyWing is one of the most popular companies out there for digital nomads since it offers insurance plans specifically made for remote companies and workers, immigrants, and digital nomads.
One benefit of SafetyWing is that its policies are a bit more accessible than the others on the market. They also cover children aged 2-10 for free if those responsible for them have a plan.
The cost of each policy depends on your age. The most budget-friendly plan doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, though the coverage does go up to 250,000 USD. But you are able to add on pre-existing condition coverage if you need it.
My favorite benefit of SafetyWing is that the company gives you 30 days of coverage for free in your home country for every 90 days that you use your plan in another country, like Singapore.
Pros of an international health insurance plan with SafetyWing:
- Website that’s modern, intuitive, and makes it easy to access any info you need
- 24-hour customer service, 7 days a week
- 30 days of free coverage in your home country for every 90 days of coverage abroad
- They offer Covid-19 coverage and treatments as recommended by specialists
Cons of an international health insurance plan with SafetyWing:
- Their plans aren’t quite as complete as some of the other options on this list
- The prices you see on the website don’t include taxes and fees
Foyer Global Health is experienced in international health insurance plans for travelers, immigrants, digital nomads, and expats.
Not only are they a trustworthy company (they are part of the larger European Foyer Group), but they are also a company that has one of the largest diversity of plans you’ll find anywhere.
Pros of an international health insurance plan with Foyer:
- All their plans offer coverage for dental surgeries, appointments, and treatments
- 24-customer service, 7 days a week (by email or by phone)
- Pre-trip support with vaccines and the preparation of a first aid kit
- Availability of evacuation and repatriation coverage
Cons of an international health insurance plan with Foyer:
- Their coverage limits aren’t very clear
Bonus
– GeoBlue
GeoBlue has spent the last few decades offering insurance plans with worldwide health coverage.
But GeoBlue only offers health insurance for citizens and residents of the United States. So if you aren’t an American citizen or resident moving to Singapore, you can go ahead and skip this option.
GeoBlue has health plans for all types of people, including expats. Their Xplorer Essential is the one I usually recommend since it’s a long-term plan with unlimited coverage.
Pros of an international health insurance plan with GeoBlue:
- You get an app with resources & telemedicine access
- 24-hour customer service, 7 days a week
- Some of their plans cover pre-existing conditions
- All of their plans have unlimited coverage
Cons of an international health insurance plan with GeoBlue:
- Their policies only work for residents of the U.S.A. or American citizens
- Little plan flexibility or ability to customize
- Need to fill out a form or contact a broker to get information or a quote for their plans
Types of visas you can apply for to live, work & study in Singapore
If you’re planning a move to Singapore, then one of your priorities will be to do some research on and then eventually apply for a visa.
As an immigrant who is coming to work, your company will likely offer you some help with the move…including with applying for your visa and, in some cases, even helping you find a new place to live.
But whether you’ll get help or not, the most important thing is to pay attention to the type of visas that you qualify for, the documents that you need to apply, and how long it’ll take for all your paperwork to be ready. If other members of your family will be moving with you, then you’ll also need to look into what type of visas they can get.
Depending on where you’re from, you can normally stay in Singapore for up to 30 or 90 days. In which case, you’ll just need:
- A passport with at least 6 more months of validity
- Proof of funds for the length of your stay
- Roundtrip flight
- Boarding pass
- Proof of yellow fever vaccine
Below, you’ll find the 2 types of visas most commonly requested by expats new to Singapore. But make sure to speak with your local Singaporean Embassy for any specific questions you may have.
Singaporean work visas
Singapore is a destination where many immigrate to work. So let’s begin with the visa most relevant to this.
In Singapore, foreign workers are divided into 3 categories: workers with a base salary of 2,500 SGD, with salaries between 2,000 and 3,000 SGD, and with salaries above 3,000 SGD.
The first category can request a Work Permit, the second will use an S Pass, and the third an Employment Pass.
Beyond these 3 options, there is also the Miscellaneous Work Pass. This pass is valid for stays of up-to-60 days for professionals with specific qualifications like journalists, participants in congresses or presentations, missionaries…
To request these work visas, you’ll need a:
- Valid passport
- ID card
- Work pass (Employment Pass or S Pass)
- University diplomas or certificates
- Marriage certificate (if you’re married)
- Birth certificate
- References from your most recent job that include your length of time in this position and salary
Singaporean student visas
To study in Singapore, you’ll need to request the Student Pass for stays more than 30 days (if you’re going to spend less time in the country, you don’t need a visa).
How early you should apply for this visa will depend on your school.
If you’re applying to a public university, you’ll need to register with SOLAR (“Student’s Pass On-Line Application and Registration”). Through this platform, you’ll be able to access eForm 16 to request your visa.
The cost for the Student Pass is 30 SGD for processing fees and 60 SGD for the document itself.
If you’re going to be studying in a private institution, you can schedule an interview directly at the embassy and receive your next steps.
Singaporean residency permits
To get a Singaporean residency permit, you’ll need to be the spouse, child, or parent of a citizen, invest a certain amount in the country, or have proof of work from a Singaporean company.
You need to be 21 or older to request a permanent residency.
In sum…
Here are the 7 best health insurance companies for expats and immigrants moving to Singapore:
- Cigna
- IMG
- Now Health
- Aetna
- Global Underwriters
- SafetyWing
- Foyer Global Health
In conclusion…
And that’s it!
I know there’s a lot to prepare for your move overseas, but hopefully this article has helped make one of those (health insurance!) just a bit easier.
If you have any other questions about finding the right insurance policy or about moving abroad in general, let me know in the comments area below and I’ll get back to you!