Swapping Milan’s trams or Naples’ seafront for Singapore’s MRT and hawker centres is a big change, but a well trodden one. Italians work here in finance, engineering, design, hospitality, luxury retail and food, and many bring families with them. This guide to moving to Singapore from Italy focuses on the steps that are specific to Italian citizens: registering with AIRE, sorting out tax and healthcare links with Italy, schooling options for Italian speaking children and plugging into the community. For general cost of living tips, our guide to moving to Singapore on a budget is a useful companion.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change, so confirm current requirements with the official bodies named below.
Visas and Work Passes for Italian Citizens
Italian passport holders can usually enter Singapore visa free for short visits, but living and working here requires a pass. The main ones, all issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), are:
- Employment Pass (EP) for professionals, managers and executives. Applications are made by the employer and assessed against salary criteria and the COMPASS points framework, which looks at factors such as qualifications, salary and the employer’s workforce profile.
- S Pass for mid skilled roles, also employer sponsored.
- Dependant’s Pass (DP) for a legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21 of eligible EP or S Pass holders. Whether a DP holder can work depends on current MOM rules, so check before taking up a job or starting a business.
- EntrePass for founders of venture backed or innovative businesses.
Salary thresholds and criteria are revised periodically, so check MOM’s website and its self-assessment tool before you negotiate an offer. Once approved, you complete formalities, which may include a medical check and biometrics, and receive your pass card.
If you later consider permanent residence, applications are handled by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Note that Singapore does not generally allow adult citizens to hold dual citizenship, which matters if you think about citizenship in the long term.
AIRE Registration and Your Ties With Italy
AIRE, the Anagrafe degli Italiani Residenti all’Estero, is the register of Italians living abroad. Italian law expects citizens who move abroad for more than twelve months to register, and you do this through the Italian consular office responsible for Singapore, generally via the Italian government’s online consular services portal.
Why AIRE matters:
- Consular services. Renewing your passport, registering births and marriages, and other documents are handled through your consular office once you are registered.
- Voting. Registered Italians can usually vote from abroad by post in national elections and referendums.
- Tax residence. Being on AIRE is one of the elements Italy looks at when deciding whether you are still tax resident there, but on its own it is not the whole picture. Where your family lives, your main home and your economic interests also count.
- Healthcare in Italy. Registering abroad typically affects your access to the Italian national health service (SSN). In general, you lose your local registration and keep access mainly to urgent care during temporary visits. Check the details with your ASL and consulate before you leave.
Italy and Singapore have a double taxation agreement. If you keep property, rental income or investments in Italy, speak to a tax adviser familiar with both systems. In Singapore, income tax is handled by IRAS (the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore), which publishes clear guides for new arrivals.
Before You Leave Italy: A Practical Checklist
| Task | What to do in Italy | What happens in Singapore |
|---|---|---|
| Documents | Get apostilled or legalised copies of birth, marriage and degree certificates as your employer or MOM may require | Used for pass applications, DP and school enrolment |
| Driving | Keep your Italian licence valid | Foreign licences can be used for a limited period, after which residents generally convert via the Singapore Police Force Traffic Police, which may involve a theory test |
| Healthcare | Collect medical records and prescriptions, ideally translated into English | Register with a GP or clinic and review your employer’s medical cover |
| Pets | Microchip, vaccinations and health certificates per Singapore’s import rules | Import licence and conditions set by the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) under NParks |
| Banking | Tell your Italian bank you are moving and keep online access | Open a local account once your pass is issued |
| Medicines | Check whether your regular medicines are controlled in Singapore | The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) sets rules for bringing medicines in |
Requirements and processes can change, so always check the current details with MOM, the Traffic Police, AVS and HSA.
Schools for Italian Families
There is no single “right” choice, and fees vary widely, so compare options early because popular schools can have waiting lists.
- International schools. Many families choose schools offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) or British curriculum. Some international schools offer Italian as a foreign or heritage language, and a number of European focused schools welcome Italian speaking students. Ask each school directly whether Italian is offered and at what levels.
- Italian language programmes. Weekend or after-school Italian classes, often linked to community associations or the cultural side of the Italian diplomatic network, help children keep up reading and writing. Ask the Italian embassy or community groups what currently runs.
- Local government schools. Foreign students can apply for places in Singapore’s public schools, usually through admission exercises run by the Ministry of Education (MOE). Places depend on vacancies, and the school year runs from January, unlike Italy’s September start.
- Returning to Italy later. If you plan to move back, ask your target Italian school how foreign qualifications are recognised, so your child’s transition is smoother.
Daily Life, Food and the Italian Community
Singapore is hot and humid all year, with no winter, so pack light, breathable clothing and expect air conditioning indoors. Most Italians quickly appreciate the safety, efficiency and excellent public transport, and miss the pace of the Italian evening and the cost of a good espresso.
Food. You will find plenty of Italian restaurants, delis and supermarkets stocking pasta, cheese, cured meats and olive oil, though imported products cost more than at home. Many Italians cook more at home and buy fresh produce from wet markets. Hawker centres are where you will discover local favourites, and they are far cheaper than Western dining.
Housing. Most newcomers rent a condominium or an HDB (Housing & Development Board) flat on the open market. Leases usually run one or two years with a security deposit, and an agent typically handles viewings.
Community. Italians in Singapore stay connected through community associations, alumni groups, Italian chambers and business networks, and informal social groups for families and young professionals. Look up current groups through the Italian embassy’s website, social media and expat forums. Events around national days, food and film festivals are common ways to meet people.
Culture shift. Singapore’s working culture can feel more formal and hierarchical, and punctuality is expected. On the other hand, the multicultural mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian and international residents means you will celebrate Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Deepavali alongside Christmas.
Settling In During the First Months
- Register your Singapore address with the Italian consulate as part of AIRE, and update it whenever you move.
- Set up Singpass, the national digital identity, once eligible, to access government services.
- Get an EZ-Link card or use a contactless bank card for MRT and buses.
- Learn the basics of CPF (the Central Provident Fund): foreigners on work passes generally do not contribute, but rules differ for permanent residents.
- Keep copies of all key documents in both paper and digital form.
Comparing notes with other Europeans helps too. Our guide on moving to Singapore from the UK covers many shared European issues, and readers from further afield may find moving to Singapore from the US useful for comparing pass and school decisions.
With good preparation in Italy and patience in your first few months, most Italians find Singapore an easy place to build a life, even if they still bring back a suitcase of Parmigiano after every trip home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my Italian spouse work in Singapore on a Dependant’s Pass? It depends on current MOM rules, which are revised from time to time. A Dependant’s Pass holder is not automatically allowed to work, so check MOM’s website before accepting a job or starting a business.
Does Singapore allow dual Italian and Singapore citizenship? Singapore does not generally allow adult citizens to hold dual citizenship. This matters if you are thinking about citizenship in the long term, so look into it carefully before applying for permanent residence or citizenship with ICA.
Can I keep driving with my Italian licence after moving? Only for a limited period. After that, residents generally convert to a Singapore licence through the Traffic Police, which may involve a theory test. Check the current conversion rules with the Traffic Police before your grace period ends.
Should I register with AIRE before or after I move? Italian law expects citizens living abroad for more than twelve months to register, which is done through the Italian consular office for Singapore. Register your Singapore address once you have one, and update it whenever you move.
Will I pay Italian tax on rental income if I keep a home in Italy? Possibly. Italy and Singapore have a double taxation agreement, but income from Italian property can still be taxable depending on your situation. Speak to a tax adviser who knows both systems, and check IRAS guides for new arrivals.
Official sources: Ministry of Manpower (MOM) · ICA