Hiring in Singapore: Complete Guide 2027
Everything you need to know about hiring and managing employees in Singapore
Overview
Singapore is Asia-Pacific's premier business hub, offering world-class infrastructure, a highly stable legal and political environment, and a multilingual, internationally-connected workforce. It is the default staging point for companies building regional APAC teams. Employment is governed by the Employment Act 1968 (which has covered most employees since April 2019), and the CPF (Central Provident Fund) system applies to Singapore citizens and permanent residents. An EOR is the standard route for foreign companies hiring before establishing a Singapore Pte Ltd.
Currency
Primary Language
Payroll Tax
Pay Frequency
Overview
Employer Costs
Employer Social Contributions
Mandatory Benefits
EOR Service Fee
Total Additional Cost
Employee Deductions
Income Tax
Employee Social Contributions
Mandatory Employee Benefits
PAYROLL & SETUP
Setting Up Payroll in Singapore
Singapore payroll runs monthly with CPF contributions required for all Singapore citizens and permanent residents. Employer CPF contribution is 17% (for employees aged 55 and below), while employees contribute 20% — both subject to the monthly ordinary wage ceiling of SGD 8,000 since 1 January 2026 (annual ceiling SGD 102,000). Personal income tax runs from 0% to 24%. An EOR handles CPF Board registration, monthly CPF submissions via CPF EZPay, payslip issuance under the Employment Act (mandatory within 3 working days of payment), and IR8A annual income return filing. For Employment Pass holders (foreign nationals), no CPF applies but the qualifying salary must be met: SGD 5,600 (SGD 6,200 in financial services), rising to SGD 6,000 / 6,600 for new applications from 1 January 2027; S Pass SGD 3,300.
Key Labor Laws &
Requirements
Employment Contracts
- Written contract is best practice
- Key Employment Terms required within 14 days
- Probation set by contract, no statutory length
Leave & Time Off
- 7–14 days annual leave based on tenure
- Paid sick leave 14 days (60 days if hospitalised)
- Maternity leave 16 weeks if the child is a citizen, 12 weeks otherwise
Termination Rules
- 1 day to 4 weeks' notice based on tenure
- No statutory severance for resignation
- Retrenchment benefit negotiated or per contract
COMPLIANCE
Work Pass and Compliance in Singapore
Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) operates a tiered work pass system. The Employment Pass (EP) is required for foreign professionals and has a minimum salary threshold of SGD 5,600/month (SGD 6,200 financial services); SGD 6,000 for new applications from 1 January 2027 (higher for financial services). The S Pass covers mid-level skilled workers at SGD 3,300/month minimum. Employers are subject to the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF), which requires jobs to be advertised on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 consecutive days before an EP application can be submitted. MOM actively monitors hiring patterns for discriminatory practices. An EOR manages all pass applications, renewal timelines, and FCF compliance, ensuring your hiring process meets MOM requirements at every stage.
Figures checked against official sources: Ministry of Manpower (Employment Act 1968, work passes, Fair Consideration Framework, leave and notice); Central Provident Fund Board (CPF rates and wage ceilings 2026); Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (income tax, IR8A); Singapore Department of Statistics (Census 2020). Checked November 2026.
Key Challenges
- One of the highest EOR costs in Asia
- Strict Employment Pass eligibility criteria
- Mandatory CPF contributions for residents
- 14-day job advertising rule (Fair Consideration Framework) and S Pass quotas
- High cost of living impacts salary expectations
Country Highlights
Advantages
- Premier hub for Asia-Pacific operations
- Best-in-class legal and IP framework
- Highly stable political and business environment
- Multilingual and multicultural workforce
- Gateway to Southeast Asian markets
Popular Industries & Roles
Technology
Salary range: SGD 70k-SGD 140k
Singapore is APAC's premier tech hub with world-class software engineering, AI, and product talent
Financial Services
Salary range: SGD 80k-SGD 180k
Singapore is a financial centre with deep banking, asset management, and FinTech expertise
Regional HQ & Operations
Salary range: SGD 65k-SGD 130k
Regional HQ and operations management roles are a major driver of Singapore hiring for multinationals entering APAC
Top 3 Providers in Singapore
Based on our analysis of pricing, compliance record, service quality, and customer reviews
Multiplier
- 150+ owned entities; 150+ countries
- Flat $459/month annual or $499 monthly
- APAC heritage; 3,700+ companies served
- ESOP and equity administration included
Deel
- EOR in 130+ countries; owned entities in 130+
- Contractor and EOR in one platform
- 200+ integrations including Slack, Workday
- AI-powered compliance automation
Remote
- 100% owned entity model globally
- Compliance-first with IP protection
- Strong contractor management at $29/month
- Rated #1 Global Employment Platform on G2
Frequently asked questions
Hiring in Singapore through an EOR, in short.
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How much does an employer pay on top of salary in Singapore?
Employer contributions in Singapore come to 17% CPF; the largest mandatory line is CPF employer 17%. With the other statutory benefits and a typical EOR fee, budget ~22–28% on top of gross salary.
What does an EOR charge per employee in Singapore?
Published EOR fees in Singapore run $500–800/mo per employee per month, with any setup fee negotiated separately. The fee is flat, so it weighs less as the salary rises.
What does an employee in Singapore pay in tax and contributions?
Income tax is 0–24% progressive and employee social contributions are 20% CPF (20% CPF), both withheld by the employer on every pay run.
How long does it take to hire through an EOR in Singapore?
7-14 Days once the employee's documents are in. The contract is issued by the EOR's local entity and payroll runs on the local cycle (Monthly).
Which EOR providers rank best in Singapore?
Multiplier, Deel and Remote hold the first three places in our ranking for hiring in Singapore. The full top 10, with the questions to put to each provider before signing, is here: Top 10 EOR providers in Singapore.
Find a better EOR — without risk
Compare EOR providers to gain insights on cost, coverage, and contract flexibility, ensuring compliance and payroll continuity.
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