Healthcare
Singapore — Healthcare: Private Insurance
Since expats/foreigners have no access to government healthcare subsidies or MediSave funds, private health insurance is effectively mandatory. Leading expat insurance providers include Raffles Health International, Henner, and Sompo, offering comprehensive plans with large provider networks. International plans offer the widest coverage (including medical evacuation and treatment abroad); local plans are usually cheaper and Singapore-focused. Specialist consultations start around S$150, with surgeries ranging from the tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of Singapore dollars — insurance is the primary safeguard against these costs.
VerifiedGovernment / official sourcePacific Prime / alea.care expat healthcare guidesLast reviewed: 2026-07-20
Key facts
- Expats have no access to government healthcare subsidies or MediSave funds — private health insurance is effectively mandatory.
- Leading expat insurers: Raffles Health International, Henner, Sompo, among others.
- International plans offer the widest coverage (evacuation, treatment abroad); local plans are cheaper and Singapore-focused only.
- Specialist consultations start around S$150; surgeries can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of SGD.
Costs
- Specialist consultation (private): from S$150
Required documents
- Passport/pass copy
- Health declaration for underwriting
Common mistakes
- Arriving in Singapore without private health insurance, assuming public healthcare access will be affordable — foreigners pay full unsubsidized rates without it.