Skip to content

Moving guides

From Netherlands to Singapore

What changes in tax when you move from Netherlands to Singapore: what you pay today, what you would pay there and the rules Netherlands applies when you leave.

What you would save

With €150,000 a year in dividends or foreign income, compared as a genuine resident of each country.

Today in Netherlands€42,025
In Singapore€0
Yearly difference+€42,025

Full guide: Singapore →

Leaving Netherlands

  • Facts and circumstances (article 4 AWR). There is no day count. Residence depends on durable personal ties (and to a lesser extent economic ties): where your home, family, work, registration, bank accounts and assets are, and how long you intend to stay.
  • Return within one year. If you leave and come back within one year without having lived in another country, you are treated as having stayed resident the whole time.

Rules that can follow you after leaving

  • Residence fiction on return within 1 year (article 2.2 Wet IB 2001). Leaving and returning within a year without living elsewhere keeps you resident. It does not apply if you prove you were taxed as resident in an EU/EEA state, Switzerland or a designated treaty state.
  • Dutch nationals stay in Dutch inheritance and gift tax for 10 years. Dutch nationals who lived in the Netherlands are treated as resident for inheritance and gift tax for 10 years after emigrating (1 year for gift tax for non-nationals).

Exit tax in Netherlands

Conservatory assessment (conserverende aanslag) on emigration

  • Substantial interest: you (with partner or close relatives) hold at least 5% of the shares, or a class of shares, of a company.
  • Also applies to Dutch pension rights and annuities where premiums were tax-deductible, and some home-related savings products.

On emigration the substantial interest shares are deemed sold; the gain is taxed in box 2 (24.5% up to EUR 68,843, 31% above in 2026) and a conservatory assessment is issued instead of immediate payment.

Exit tax → · Am I still resident? →

Arriving in Singapore

Personal income: 0% abroad · Company tax: 17%

EntrePass, employment or Global Investor Programme (investment of SGD 10M or more).

183 days.

Foreign income received by individuals is not taxed. Local income up to 24%. One of the most expensive places in the world.

Living there

Monthly cost for one person, rent included
Singapore€3,800–4,600
Climate
Tropical; hot and humid 25-32°C year-round, frequent showers.
Direct flights to
London, Paris, Frankfurt, New York, Dubai
Safety
High
International schools
Many
Fixed internet
425 Mbps

Steps to residency

  1. 1 weeksIncorporate private limited company via ACRA
  2. 8 weeksApply for EntrePass or Employment Pass via MOM
  3. 2 weeksIn-principle approval and entry
  4. 1 weeksCard issuance appointment

About 12 weeks in total

Official websites: Tax authority · Immigration

Approximate figures that change often; check them before deciding.

Other destinations from Netherlands