Information
General information you might find useful in Singapore
Menu
SAS General Information
The list is not conclusive. There may be other services available that better suit your individual needs.
2020 Swiss referendums
You are a Swiss citizen living abroad and would like to participate in Swiss political life. You are eligible to participate in popular votes at federal level as well as elections to the National Council without having to travel to Switzerland.
https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/singapore/en/home/dienstleistungen/politische-rechte.html.html
Do take part, if you are not yet a registered voter you can do this easily. www.ch.ch or www.smartvote.ch will give you plenty of information about votes and elections. The votes from abroad are equal in numbers to the votes from the third largest canton in Switzerland – so if we all take party our voice will be heard!
Cost of Living Calculator
Information provided by the Embassy of Switzerland in Singapore / the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs / The Organization of the Swiss abroad (OSA) / Soliswiss
Insurances
AHV/IV, AVS/AI
Have you been contributing to the Swiss old-age and survivors insurance and disability insurance for the last 5 consecutive years? Then you are entitled to still contribute on a voluntary basis while living abroad. Swiss citizens living abroad can join the voluntary insurance within the first 12 months.
https://www.zas.admin.ch/zas/en/home/particuliers/cotiser-a-l-avs-ai-facultative.html
Pension fund / Vested Benefits
If you have you been contributing to a pension fund in Switzerland then you can join the voluntary insurance of the “Stiftung Auffangeinrichtung BVG” within 3 months after leaving the mandatory insurance. Premiums will be based on your last drawn salary and depend on the inclusion of risk coverage (Disability & Death). There is no employer contribution.
http://www.chaeis.net/en/lob-occupational-benefits-plans/einzelpersonen/anmeldung.html
Payout of the pension capital / vested benefits
The domicile of the pension fund / vested benefit foundation determines the source tax rate applied and tax rates vary from canton to canton.
http://www.liberty-vorsorge.ch
Health & Accident insurance
If you feel like your health & accident insurance coverage is not sufficient, you might be interested in below insurance solution. (E.g. trailing spouse with a partner on a local contract is likely to have no accident insurance coverage and only limited health insurance coverage.)
www.soliswiss.ch
Swiss banks
There are now 3 banks that encourage Swiss living abroad to open accounts with them: Migros Bank, Valiant Bank and Neue Helvetische Bank. In case you are forced to change your bank account to another bank check them out. Postfinance remains an option as well. Once the “automatische Informationsaustausch” (automatic exchange of banking information) is in place in about two years’ time, many problems regarding bank accounts should resolve themselves but not everyone can or wants to wait that long.
Swiss School in Singapore (SSiS)
SSiS is a German-speaking, international School in Singapore located in the area of Bukit Tinggi with around 300 students from Pre-School through Primary School who learn and play in a unique, green and familiar learning environment. Its curriculum is based on a bilingual education in German and English and includes French from Primary 5 onwards. www.swiss-school.edu.sg/
Others
Employing a Foreign Domestic Worker (“Helper”)
Finding Employment
- A good overview of Popular Job Sites and employment requirements is available on http://www.contactsingapore.org.sg/
- The Career Resource Center for Expats (CRCE) offers excellent workshops http://www.aasingapore.com/about-crce/
- The magic word in Singapore is Networking. Below are popular resources. Have name cards ready and exchange them with both hands.
http://www.internations.org/home/ & http://www.meetup.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/
http://www.eurocham.org.sg/ & http://www.fccsingapore.com/
http://www.cfasingapore.org/ (for the financial industry)
Driving License
The Swiss driving license is valid in Singapore for one year.
Within the first year only a Basic Theory Test (BTT) is required to convert the Swiss driving license into a Singaporean one.
(Expect a waiting list of 2-3 months for the Basic Theory Test.)
https://www.police.gov.sg/e-services/find-out/status-of-driver-improvement-points
Postal Services
- Swiss Post offers an online portal that allows changing the old Swiss address, forwarding letters to abroad etc. http://www.swisspost.ch/post-startseite/post-privatkunden/post-empfangen/post-empfangen-zustellung-verwalten.htm
- Singpost also offers an online portal that allows organising mail. http://www.singpost.com/receive-organise-mail.html
Leaving Singapore
Taxes
Before/when leaving Singapore your remuneration is withheld until all tax duties are settled.
https://www.iras.gov.sg/irashome/default.aspx
Become a member
Any Swiss citizen or foreigner linked with Switzerland can apply for a membership
Join us!
Once you are admitted as a Member of the Swiss Association Singapore, you are entitled to all the membership’s privileges.
Register now
Upcoming Events
The Swiss Association of Singapore offers a large range of events and provides a platform of contact and network to Swiss people living in Singapore.
