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Singapore: wat je moet weten voor vertrek

Het belangrijkste

  • Submit the free SG Arrival Card (ICA website or MyICA app) within 3 days before arrival; ignore paid third-party sites.
  • Vapes are illegal to bring, own or use: devices are seized with an on-the-spot S$700 fine; repeat offenders on visit passes are barred from re-entry. Etomidate ('Kpod') vapes are treated as drugs.
  • Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and India passports need a visa in advance (e-Visa via an authorised agent or local sponsor).
  • Drug trafficking carries the death penalty; chewing gum cannot be imported and littering/eating on the MRT is fined.
  • There is no duty-free allowance for cigarettes: declare and pay tax on any tobacco you bring.

Inreis en visa

Citizens of the US, UK, EU and many others enter visa-free; the stay granted (usually 30 or 90 days) is shown on the e-Pass emailed after immigration. Chinese citizens get 30 days visa-free under a mutual exemption. Nationals on the Assessment Level I list (incl. Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, India) must get a visa beforehand. All visitors except some exempt categories must submit the SG Arrival Card.

Online aankomstformulieren en vergunningen

Geldigheid paspoort: At least 6 months of passport validity for entry; confirm any stricter carrier requirements.

Aan de grens kan worden gevraagd naar

  • Most visitors use automated lanes at Changi; you receive an electronic visit pass (e-Pass) by email instead of a stamp.
  • Carry proof of onward travel and sufficient funds.
  • Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from a risk country.

Douane

  • No duty-free concession for cigarettes or tobacco: declare them and pay duty, or face fines.
  • Alcohol: up to 2 litres duty-free under conditions (aged 18+, away 48+ hours, not arriving from Malaysia).
  • Chewing gum (except medical/dental), e-cigarettes, firecrackers and obscene material are prohibited.
  • Declare cash over S$20,000 (or equivalent).
  • Controlled medicines (e.g. strong painkillers, sleeping pills, ADHD drugs) may need an HSA approval before travel.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: eservices.ica.gov.sg ↗, mfa.gov.sg ↗, ica.gov.sg ↗, ica.gov.sg ↗, ica.gov.sg ↗

Geld

Bijna overal kun je met de kaart betalen. Kaarten worden bijna overal geaccepteerd.

Betaalnetwerken: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, UnionPay, JCB

Apple Pay — werkt · Google Pay — werkt

Waar je geld wisselt

  • Licensed money changers at The Arcade (Raffles Place) and Mustafa Centre (Little India) offer near mid-market rates
  • Money changers in People's Park Complex (Chinatown)

Waar je beter niet wisselt

  • Hotels
  • Banks (poor retail rates)
  • Changi airport counters for large sums

Geldautomaten: Bank ATMs (DBS/POSB, OCBC, UOB) are everywhere; local banks generally don't add a fee for foreign cards, but your bank may. You rarely need much cash.

Fooi: Not expected. Restaurants add a 10% service charge plus 9% GST ('++' on menus); taxis don't expect tips.

  • SimplyGo accepts supported foreign contactless cards and wallets. Foreign Visa/Mastercard transit payments incur a SGD 0.60 admin fee per day of use, plus any issuer fees; use the same card/device to tap in and out.
  • Hawker centres increasingly accept cards/QR but some stalls are cash only.
  • Russian-issued Visa/Mastercard cards do not work abroad.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: support.apple.com ↗, simplygo.com.sg ↗, mas.gov.sg ↗, simplygo.com.sg ↗, iras.gov.sg ↗, usa.visa.com ↗, mastercard.com ↗

Regels en verboden

Verboden

  • Vapes: possession or use fined S$700 (adults) with seizure; repeat offenders on visit passes banned from re-entry; etomidate vapes prosecuted as drugs with possible deportation.
  • Drugs: death penalty for trafficking; positive urine tests count as consumption even if used abroad.
  • Chewing gum import and sale are banned.
  • Littering, spitting and jaywalking are fined.
  • Eating or drinking on MRT trains and stations: fine up to S$500; durians not allowed on public transport.
  • Smoking only in designated smoking areas; fines up to S$1,000.
  • Drones require CAAS permits in many areas and near airports/military sites.
  • Unlicensed public protests and assemblies are illegal.

Wetten die reizigers onbewust overtreden

  • Alcohol cannot be consumed in public places 10:30pm–7am, or sold in shops in that window.
  • Feeding pigeons and monkeys is fined.
  • Not flushing public toilets can be fined.
  • Caning is a possible sentence for vandalism and some other crimes, including for foreigners.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: bakermckenzie.com ↗, loyaltylobby.com ↗, gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗, hsa.gov.sg ↗

Cultuur en kleding

Religie: Buddhism about 31%, Christianity about 19%, Islam about 16%, Taoism about 9%, Hinduism about 5%; about 20% no religion (2020 census).

Kleding: Casual is fine almost everywhere. At mosques and temples cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes; robes are lent at major mosques such as Sultan Mosque.

Etiquette

  • Queue patiently; 'choping' (reserving hawker seats with a tissue packet) is a local custom—respect it.
  • Return trays at hawker centres (rule enforced since 2021).
  • Keep voices down on public transport.
  • Use both hands or the right hand when handing items to elders.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: singstat.gov.sg ↗, visitsingapore.com ↗

Klimaat

Equatorial: hot and humid all year (25–32°C) with frequent short thunderstorms. Northeast monsoon Dec–early Mar (wettest Nov–Jan); southwest monsoon Jun–Sep with occasional haze.

Per maand
  • januari: Wet start, drier late; Lunar New Year
  • februari: Driest, sunniest month
  • maart: Warm, fewer storms
  • april: Hot; afternoon thunderstorms
  • mei: Hottest; storms
  • juni: Hot; haze possible
  • juli: Hot; haze possible
  • augustus: Hot; National Day 9 Aug
  • september: Hot; haze possible
  • oktober: Storms increase
  • november: Very wet; northeast monsoon wet phase
  • december: Wettest month in Changi 1991–2020 normals; cooler

Beste seizoen: February–April is driest, but the city is good all year thanks to air-conditioning and covered walkways.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: weather.gov.sg ↗, visitsingapore.com ↗, weather.gov.sg ↗

Wat mee te nemen

  • Plug adapter (type G, UK-style; 230V)
  • Compact umbrella
  • Light layer for very cold air-conditioning
  • Sunscreen and hat
  • Insect repellent (dengue)
  • Contactless card or phone wallet for MRT/buses
  • Doctor's letter for prescription medicines

Niet meenemen / invoer verboden

  • Vapes and e-cigarettes (seized, fined, possible entry ban)
  • Chewing gum
  • Undeclared cigarettes (fines per pack)
  • Controlled medicines without HSA approval
  • Fireworks, pepper spray, knives with locking blades

Praktisch

Stopcontacten: Type G; 230V 50Hz

Water: Tap water is safe to drink.

Verkeer: links rijden

Mobiel en eSIM: Singtel, StarHub, M1 tourist SIMs at Changi and 7-Eleven (passport needed); eSIMs widely available; free Wireless@SG Wi-Fi.

Apps: Grab, Gojek, TADA, CDG Zig, SimplyGo, MyICA, Google Maps

Gezondheid: Excellent healthcare but very expensive. Dengue occurs; use repellent. Haze can affect people with asthma.

Verzekering: Not required for visa-free visitors; strongly recommended due to high medical costs.

Noodnummers: Police 999; Ambulance/Fire 995

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: gov.uk ↗, pub.gov.sg ↗, pub.gov.sg ↗

Inreisregels veranderen. Controleer vóór de reis de website van de ambassade of immigratiedienst van het land.