The hospital in Singapore offers an emergency service. Medical care is excellent. Private practices are also available. It is recommended to take out adequate, worldwide valid travel health insurance and travel repatriation insurance. Hospital and doctor bills, which often have to be paid immediately, can potentially be very high. Check findjobdescriptions for more information.
Notes vaccinations
[1] A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travelers over the age of one year who have been in WHO-designated infected areas within the previous six days. Excluded are travelers who have not left the transit area in the endemic areas and transit passengers who do not leave the airport in Singapore. Yellow fever vaccination is not required for direct entry from Europe.
Food and drink
Drinking water is chlorinated and may cause mild stomach upset. During the first days of vacation you should therefore drink bottled water, which is available everywhere. When buying packaged water, you should make sure that the original packaging has not been opened. Milk is pasteurized and, like dairy products made from raw milk, meat, poultry, seafood, fruits and vegetables, is safe to consume. Eating and buying food from cheap street restaurants and markets is discouraged.
Other risks
The standard vaccinations for children and adults recommended by the Robert Koch Institute (including against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), mumps, measles, rubella, pneumococci, poliomyelitis and influenza) should be refreshed before the trip if necessary. Chikungunya fever, also transmitted by mosquitoes, occurs nationwide. Mosquito repellent is required. Mosquito-borne dengue fever occurs throughout the country throughout the year, but especially before and during the rainy season. An effective insect repellent is recommended and standing water should be avoided. Hepatitis A and hepatitis B occur. A hepatitis A vaccination is generally recommended. Vaccination against hepatitis B should be given during longer stays and close contact with the local population, as well as for children and young people in general. HIV/AIDS is a danger for everyone who takes the risk of infection: sexual contact, unclean syringes or needles and blood transfusions can pose a life-threatening risk. Hand, foot and mouth disease is uncommon. It is transmitted as a smear infection, via food or as a droplet infection (coughing/sneezing). In principle, it is a harmless disease that heals relatively quickly (7 to 10 days). Strict hygiene measures (hand washing with soap) prevent this. The current pollutant values of the so-called haze, smog-like air pollution, are published daily by the Singaporean media. asthmatic, Allergy sufferers, small children, the elderly, heart and/or lung diseases should consult a doctor before traveling to Singapore. There is a risk of contracting Japanese encephalitis. Rabies also occurs in cities. Stray dogs and cats are the main carriers. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, occupational risk groups and for longer stays. In the event of a bite, seek medical attention as soon as possible. The Zika virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, joint pain and conjunctivitis. The infection often goes unnoticed or only has mild symptoms. The Federal Foreign Office advises pregnant women against non-essential travel to areas with current Zika outbreaks because the virus is suspected to cause microcephaly in the unborn child. There is neither a vaccination nor a medicinal prophylaxis. Consistent compliance with personal mosquito protection measures is recommended.
Health certificate
Work permit applicants and travelers planning to stay in Singapore for more than 30 days must have a negative HIV test. The test can be taken in the home country or at one of the 13 accredited centers in Singapore. HIV-positive people face expulsion unless married to a Singaporean.
Money
Currency
1 Singapore dollar = 100 cents. Currency code: S$, SGD (ISO code). Notes are in denominations of S$10,000, S$1,000, S$100, S$50, S$10 and S$2; Coins in denominations of S$1, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 cent. The Brunei dollar is also valid currency in Singapore at a 1:1 ratio.
Credit cards
American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Mastercard and Visa are accepted. Details from the issuer of the relevant credit card.
ATMs
Girocard The Girocard (formerly ec card) with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol is accepted worldwide. It can be used at ATMs with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol. Further information from banks and credit institutes. ATMs are widely available and can be found in all major shopping malls. Attention: Travelers who want to pay with their bank customer card abroad and withdraw money should find out from their bank about the possibility of using their card before starting their journey.
Travelers cheques
Traveller’s checks are no longer available in Germany and Switzerland and are hardly available in Austria. Travelers checks can be cashed at a few bureaux de change in Singapore.
Bank opening hours
Mon-Fri 9.30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sat 9.30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Branches of some large banks (eg Orchard Road) are open Sun 9.30am-3pm.
Foreign exchange regulations
No restrictions. Cash in excess of SGD 30,000 must be declared.
Currency Exchange
Money can be exchanged in banks and official exchange offices (“Licensed Money Changers”) (not always possible on Saturdays). Exchange offices also offer the best exchange rates.
