Country overview
Singapore
Positioned here, like Hong Kong, as a regional HQ and holding base rather than a delivery hub. It is a high-cost location, but company formation is fast and the treaty network, banking and connectivity are strong.
Southeast Asia
How minimum wage works here
No general minimum wage. Progressive Wage Model (PWM) wage floors apply to specific sectors and occupations, and firms hiring foreign workers must pay local staff at least the Local Qualifying Salary (S$1,800/month from 1 Jul 2026).
Cities
Employer contributions
CPF (Central Provident Fund)
Employer 17% of ordinary wages up to S$8,000/month (max S$1,360) for citizens/PRs aged 55 and under; lower rates apply at older ages
Not payable for foreigners on work passes.
Source: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries – SingaporeLast checked Oct 2026Skills Development Levy (SDL)
0.25% of monthly remuneration, minimum S$2 and maximum S$11.25 per employee
Source: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries – SingaporeLast checked Oct 2026Foreign Worker Levy (Work Permit / S Pass holders)
Monthly levy for Work Permit and S Pass holders; varies by pass type, sector and tier
Not modeled in the calculator. Employment Pass holders do not attract the levy.
Source: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries – SingaporeLast checked Oct 2026
Labour-law notes
Progressive Wage Model: sector-specific wage floors (e.g. cleaning, security, landscape, lift & escalator, retail, food services, waste management, administrators, drivers)
Source: Ministry of Manpower – What is the Progressive Wage ModelLast checked Oct 2026Local Qualifying Salary: S$1,800/month (S$10.50/hour part-time) from 1 Jul 2026 for local employees counted towards foreign-worker quotas
Source: Ministry of Manpower – Local Qualifying SalaryLast checked Oct 2026
13th-month pay
No statutory 13th-month requirement identified; pending confirmation.
Internet
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Country median (Aug 2026): fixed 462.50 Mbps down / 360.79 up; mobile 164.35 Mbps down / 21.84 up
Country-level median, not city-specific.
Public holidays 2026
11 gazetted public holidays in 2026; holidays falling on Sunday move to Monday (1 Jun, 10 Aug, 9 Nov)
Regular holidays
- 1 Jan – New Year's Day
- 17–18 Feb – Chinese New Year
- 21 Mar – Hari Raya Puasa
- 3 Apr – Good Friday
- 1 May – Labour Day
- 27 May – Hari Raya Haji
- 31 May – Vesak Day (observed 1 Jun)
- 9 Aug – National Day (observed 10 Aug)
- 8 Nov – Deepavali (observed 9 Nov)
- 25 Dec – Christmas Day
Power
Awaiting firsthand field notes.
Entity setup basics
Incorporate a private limited company via ACRA Bizfile: S$15 name application + S$300 registration. Requires at least one director ordinarily resident in Singapore, at least one shareholder, a local registered office, and a company secretary within 6 months.
Fees: https://www.acra.gov.sg/register/business/choosing-business-structure/
Typical steps
- Name application and incorporation via Bizfile (often through a filing agent)
- Resident director and company secretary
- Corporate bank account
- CPF employer registration
- Work passes (EP / S Pass) for foreign staff
Timeline and cost
Realistic timeline (especially bank account opening and nominee-director costs) to come from field notes.
EOR / payroll coverage
| Provider | EOR status | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Deel | Listed | Provider page |
| Remote | Listed | Provider page |
| Multiplier | Listed | Provider page |
Based on each provider's public country page. Confirm coverage, pricing and entity model directly before signing. No affiliate links.
Last checked Oct 2026