Moving From Hong Kong To Singapore What To Consider

Are you considering moving from Hong Kong to Singapore? There's no shortage of reasons why: a strong job market, excellent schools, cleaner air and a genuine sense of order that's hard to match anywhere else in Asia. It's not surprising that so many Hong Kongers decide to make the move each year. However, relocating to a new country, even one only a few hours away, is no small undertaking.

As Allied has helped thousands of Hong Kong families and individuals make their international move, we've put together this guide to help. You'll find practical advice on what life in Singapore is actually like, plus everything you need to plan the move itself.

• Life In Singapore
• Work & Career
• Housing
• Money & Taxes
• The Culture & Lifestyle
• Transportation
• Climate
• Planning Your Move To Singapore
• Visas & Documentation
• Packing Belongings And Furniture
• Storage
• Moving A Car Or Vehicle
• Relocating With Pets
• Choosing The Right Moving Company
• Move To Singapore From Hong Kong With Allied!

Singapore is a vibrant, multicultural city-state that attracts people from all over the world. It offers a strong quality of life and is a great option for families or young professionals. But what is everyday life in Singapore actually like, and how does it compare to Hong Kong?

Singapore is one of Asia's leading financial and technology hubs, alongside Hong Kong itself, so many professionals move between the two cities for roles in banking, fintech, trading, or professional services.

Most Hong Kong professionals relocating to Singapore will need an Employment Pass (EP), sponsored by a Singapore employer, subject to a minimum qualifying salary that rises periodically and a points-based COMPASS assessment run by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). It's best to secure a job offer before you move, since this is what your employer will need to sponsor the EP application.

You can look for roles through a Singapore-based recruitment agency, through an internal transfer with your current employer, or via job portals such as MyCareersFuture and LinkedIn.

Rent prices in Singapore are often similar to, or lower than, those in Hong Kong for comparable properties, though the gap has narrowed at the prime end of the market in recent years. Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats are one of the more affordable options. These are government-built blocks of flats that, while not a common choice among expats, are often close to MRT stations and wet markets. Foreigners can rent (though generally can't buy) HDB flats, subject to a quota on non-Malaysian tenants in certain blocks, so it's worth checking eligibility with your agent early. HDB flats can be a good way to get a feel for Singapore before committing to a longer lease elsewhere.

Private condos tend to be the preferred choice among expats and usually come at a higher price. The trade-off is added amenities, such as swimming pools, gyms and tennis courts. These properties are sometimes located further from MRT stations, so it's worth factoring that into your decision.

Real estate agents may quote different prices for the same property, so it pays to shop around. A trusted local agent makes a real difference, so ask new colleagues for a referral or join an expat community group for recommendations. Rent is often negotiable, so don't be afraid to ask for a better deal. Allied Moving Services' relocation arm SIRVA offers a home search program for assignees moving to Singapore, to help you secure the best deal.

Singapore's official currency is the Singapore dollar (SGD). Singapore uses a progressive personal income tax system for tax residents, with no tax on capital gains, dividends or inheritance.

However, Hong Kong's own system is also low and straightforward, so the real difference for most salary bands is often smaller than people expect and comes down to income level and how it's structured. As with any move, it's best to speak with a professional tax adviser to understand how your specific circumstances will be treated in both jurisdictions.

Singapore's culture is built on its mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian communities, and this shows up everywhere, from the four official languages (English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil) to the food. Hawker centres are the heart of everyday dining, offering a huge range of dishes at affordable prices, and they're one of the easiest ways for a newcomer to get a feel for the city. Major festivals such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Deepavali are celebrated widely and often mark public holidays.

Singapore is known for being clean, safe and well organised, with strict laws that keep the city running smoothly. Beyond the hawker scene, there's plenty to explore, from Gardens by the Bay and the Botanic Gardens to Sentosa Island for a beach day, along with a growing arts and music scene across the city.

Public transport and rideshare services (such as Grab) are the norm in Singapore, since owning a car is significantly more expensive than in Hong Kong. This comes down largely to Singapore's Certificate of Entitlement (COE) system, which requires buyers to bid for the right to own a vehicle for a 10-year period before they even pay for the car itself, on top of registration fees and taxes, and premiums are consistently steep enough that most residents, expats included, rely on the train network (MRT) and buses instead.

You'll want an EZ-Link card or a contactless debit or credit card to tap in and out of both. Private condos are sometimes a 10 to 15 minute bus ride from the nearest MRT station, and while some offer shuttle buses, these don't typically run overnight. If you don't plan on driving, it's worth living closer to the city centre or an MRT line.

Unlike Hong Kong's four distinct seasons, Singapore is tropical year-round, with daytime temperatures typically sitting between 24°C and 33°C no matter the month.

There isn't a winter to pack for, but there are two monsoon seasons to plan around: the north-east monsoon from around December to March, and the south-west monsoon from around June to September.

Both bring a higher chance of heavy afternoon showers and the occasional thunderstorm, so a good umbrella and light, breathable clothing will serve you better than the layers you might be used to in Hong Kong.

Now that you have a better idea of what life in Singapore is like, it's time to start planning the move itself.

As covered above, most professionals will need an Employment Pass sponsored by a Singapore employer, applied for through MOM. If you're moving with family, EP holders earning above the qualifying salary threshold can generally sponsor a Dependant's Pass for a spouse and unmarried children under 21.

High earners may instead qualify for the ONE Pass, which offers more flexibility, including an automatic Letter of Consent that lets an accompanying spouse work without a separate pass application.

Processing times vary, so it's worth starting the visa process as early as possible, particularly if you have school-aged children, since popular international schools can have admission timelines of six to eighteen months.

Hong Kong and Singapore are roughly 2,565 kilometres apart, or about a four-hour direct flight, so your belongings will still need to travel a meaningful distance by sea or air freight. It's best to get started on packing early and follow a comprehensive moving checklist so nothing important gets left behind. Using a professional packing service is a good way to make sure everything is packed securely and ready for the move.

If you're not moving everything at once, or you need time to settle into permanent housing before your belongings arrive, storage is a practical option. Short-term storage gives you flexibility to find the right home in Singapore first, without needing to have everything sorted before you leave Hong Kong.

Bringing your own car from Hong Kong to Singapore generally isn't practical. Beyond the cost and complexity of shipping a vehicle internationally, any car brought into Singapore still needs a Certificate of Entitlement before it can be registered and driven, on top of import taxes and compliance with Singapore's emissions and safety standards.

For most people relocating, it works out simpler and more cost-effective to sell your car in Hong Kong and buy locally once you've arrived, once you have a clearer sense of whether you'll need a car at all. If you do decide to ship a vehicle, a professional vehicle transportation service can talk you through the documentation and requirements involved.

Moving with pets takes extra planning, but it's manageable with the right preparation. Hong Kong sits in Singapore's Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) Schedule II (controlled risk) category, which means your dog or cat will need a valid rabies vaccination and, typically, a rabies neutralising antibody titre test taken at least 28 days after vaccination.

Your pet will also need to be fitted with an ISO-compliant microchip and hold a valid AVS import licence (and a dog licence, for dogs). If you enter Singapore within 5 days of your pet and have owned them for at least 6 months, you may be able to avoid quarantine altogether or complete a shorter 10-day home quarantine instead of quarantine at a facility.

From 1 April 2026, AVS also requires an AVS-recognised pet agent to handle import clearance at Changi, so self-clearance is no longer an option.

Given how specific these requirements are, it's worth speaking with a professional pet transportation service early in your planning, since document and test timelines need to line up precisely with your travel dates.

If you're moving internationally, choosing the right moving company matters. An overseas relocation involves multiple moving parts, so you need an international moving company with the right experience and expertise to manage the process end-to-end.

Look for a mover with a global network, since your move doesn't end when you leave Hong Kong, along with the ability to handle vehicle and pet transport, transit insurance and any other additional services you might need along the way.

If you're looking for the right moving company to handle your move from Hong Kong to Singapore, look no further than Allied Moving Services. Our dedicated and experienced team is ready to assist with your international move, every step of the way.

Discuss your move with our friendly team and receive a free quote today.