Singapore

How can one obtain the right to reside in Singapore?

This is the key issue regarding Singapore. The Employment Pass requires a local employer and a minimum salary threshold; however, it is now subject to a points-based assessment system that also considers qualifications, the composition of the employer’s workforce, and sectoral needs. A high salary is no longer sufficient. Starting a business offers a second pathway, provided it involves genuine business activity, creates local jobs, and possesses the necessary operational resources. Finally, the program for major investors offers direct access to permanent residency in exchange for significant financial commitments—in the range of ten million Singapore dollars—directed toward Singaporean funds or companies. Each of these routes requires extensive preparation and a robust application.

What is the tax regime for a Singaporean company?

The nominal corporate tax rate is 17% (Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore)—one of the lowest in Asia—and includes partial exemptions that significantly reduce the effective tax burden on initial profit tiers, with enhanced incentives for newly established companies. Added to this are the absence of withholding tax on distributed dividends and an extensive network of tax treaties, making Singapore a natural choice for a regional headquarters in Asia. These advantages require genuine substance: effective management, staff, offices, and locally made decisions. A Singaporean company lacking substance will not withstand local scrutiny, foreign tax authority reviews, or banking requirements. Furthermore, groups exceeding international thresholds are subject to minimum tax rules derived from OECD initiatives.

Singapore or Dubai: how to choose?

Both hubs often appeal to the same profiles, and the choice between them is a recurring topic in our cases. Dubai holds the advantage in three areas: zero personal taxation—contrasting with Singapore’s tax scale, which reaches 24% on local income (Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore)—far simpler and faster access to residency, and a lower cost of living for families at a comparable standard of comfort. Singapore wins on three other fronts: superior legal certainty and regulatory predictability, unparalleled access to Southeast and North Asian markets, and a much deeper financial ecosystem for asset management. The decision therefore hinges on the actual geographic focus of your business and your need for institutional security, rather than on a difference in tax rates.

Can you buy a home in Singapore?

It is possible, but rarely makes sense in the early years. Foreigners who are not permanent residents face additional duties when purchasing residential property—rates set deliberately high to deter buyers as part of a policy to control the real estate market. These costs represent a substantial fraction of the purchase price and are entirely lost if the property is resold quickly. Furthermore, there is a distinction between different property categories, with some being completely off-limits to foreigners. Consequently, the vast majority of expatriates rent their homes, which also represents the single largest expense in their budget. This issue should be addressed when drawing up your relocation budget, as it significantly alters the financial calculations compared to Dubai.

What needs to be handled regarding France?

Singapore lies outside the European Union; this means the conditions for deferring payment of the "exit tax" require precise modeling if you hold equity stakes exceeding statutory thresholds. The tax treaty between France and Singapore governs the allocation of taxing rights and sets out tie-breaker rules for cases of dual residence. One point requires the attention of executives: the distinction between Singapore-sourced and foreign-sourced income underpins the entire local tax regime, and it must align with how your income is classified in France. Any inconsistency between these two interpretations creates a risk of double taxation or, conversely, of tax disputes. This alignment should be prepared in consultation with tax specialists in both jurisdictions.

How does the France-Singapore tax treaty treat dividends?

It caps the withholding tax levied by the source state and provides a mechanism to eliminate double taxation, thereby securing financial flows between the two countries (list of tax treaties concluded by France). This structure, combined with the absence of Singaporean withholding tax on distributed dividends, makes Singapore a natural choice for a regional headquarters in Asia. It requires the ability to substantiate Singaporean tax residency.