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Country hiring guide

Hiring in Singapore πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡¬

Singapore is a leading Asian hub with a skilled, English-speaking workforce and business-friendly rules. All-in employer cost runs around 1.17x the gross salary for locals. Here is what to know before your first Singapore hire.

Calculate a Singapore hire β†’
Capital citySingapore
CurrencySingapore dollar (SGD)
LanguagesEnglish, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil
Population~5.9 million
Payroll frequencyMonthly
VAT standard rate9% GST
Employer burden*~17% of gross
TGTC flat EOR fee$399/mo Β· Tier A
Overview

Employing in Singapore

Employment is governed by the Employment Act, with the Central Provident Fund (CPF) mandatory for citizens and permanent residents. Foreign employees are not on CPF but need a valid work pass. Written key terms are required.

Minimum wage

  • No statutory minimum wage
  • Local Qualifying Salary S$1,600/month

Payroll cycle & extra pay

  • Monthly; pay within 7 days of period end
  • AWS/13th month common, not mandatory

Public holidays

  • 11 gazetted public holidays

Onboarding & probation

  • Probation typically 3-6 months
  • Written key employment terms required
Employer costs

What you pay on top of salary

For citizens and permanent residents, the employer pays CPF of up to 17% (tapering with age), plus a small skills levy. Foreign employees carry no CPF but require levies or passes.

Employer contribution*Rate
CPF (employer, citizens/PRs <=55)17%
Skills Development Levy (SDL)0.25%*

CPF ceilings

CPF applies up to a monthly wage ceiling, and the employer rate steps down as employees get older. Foreign staff are outside CPF.

Employee-side taxes

Singapore does not operate PAYE withholding for locals; employees settle their own income tax, though tax clearance is required for departing foreigners. CPF deduction is the employer's job, which under EOR means ours.

Types of leave

Statutory leave in Singapore

Annual leave

  • 7 days after 1 year, +1/year up to 14

Maternity & parental leave

  • 16 weeks maternity (citizen child)
  • 4 weeks government-paid paternity

Sick leave

  • 14 outpatient / 60 hospitalisation days (after 6mo)

Other leave

  • 6 days childcare leave; shared parental leave
Employment termination

Ending employment in Singapore

Notice

  • 1 day to 4 weeks by tenure; pay in lieu allowed

Severance

  • Retrenchment benefit customary; 2 weeks-1 month/year*

Probation

  • Shorter notice per contract during probation

Contractor risk

  • MOM control test; CPF liability if reclassified

*All figures are estimates from public sources (2025-26), pending ops verification - same basis as the EOR cost calculator. Not tax or legal advice.

Employ in Singapore without opening an entity

Compliant Singapore employment contract, payroll, CPF, and benefits, handled. One invoice, flat $399 per month.

Get a Singapore quote