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Singapore

Singapore

Singapore is often called the easiest city in Asia for family expat life: safe, green, incredibly organised. The flip side: a high cost of living and school admissions that need planning. Here is the essential picture.

Currency
Singapore dollar (S$)
Languages
English (plus Mandarin, Malay, Tamil)
Time vs Paris
6 to 7h ahead
Emergencies
995 (ambulance and fire)

FIAFE network

The Accueil for French-speaking families

In each city, a volunteer-run association from the FIAFE network welcomes, informs and helps French-speaking families settling in.

Accueil Singapour

Since 1975

The Association Française de Singapour, Accueil Singapour, has been helping French-speaking families discover the city since 1975: welcome breakfasts, neighbourhood discovery walks, sports activities and meetups for newcomers.

Where to meet them

Meetings by appointment (offices on Peck Seah Street, Tanjong Pagar).

Visit the association's website See the FIAFE page

What they offer

  • Welcome breakfasts for newcomers
  • Neighbourhood discovery walks and cultural outings
  • Sports activities and networking events
  • Practical guide and members newsletter

Other support networks

Two large national networks also support the French abroad, each with its local chapter.

  • UFE

    UFE Singapour

    The Singapore chapter of the Union des Français de l'Étranger: a mutual-aid and social network, present at the French community's big gatherings (Chinese New Year at the Embassy, practical meetups).

    Visit the website
  • Français du monde – ADFE

    Français du monde – ADFE Singapour

    The local Français du monde - ADFE section informs and supports French residents in Singapore with their paperwork and relays their concerns to the consular authorities.

    Email the chapter

The French business network

The local French chamber of commerce (CCI France International network) is a real asset for work: networking, job offers and help to restart a career or start a business locally.

CCI France International

French Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (FCCS)

The French Chamber of Commerce in Singapore connects over 650 companies, a great network for a spouse looking for a job (job board), professional contacts and networking events to settle in quickly.

Visit the website CCI country page

AEFE network

Accredited French schools

Schools accredited by the French Ministry of Education follow the French curriculum: your child can continue their schooling seamlessly, abroad and back in France.

💰 Compare school fees

Source: official AEFE directory, verified June 2026. aefe.gouv.fr

Tutoring and private lessons

To support your children's schooling across two systems, two solutions designed for expat families.

  • Axiom Academic

    Private lessons and tutoring for expat families: French curriculum, IB and British curriculum, at home or online, with teachers who know the schools in your city.

    Discover Axiom Academic

  • IB Tutor

    Tutors specialised in the International Baccalaureate: online lessons in every IB subject, to aim for top grades from MYP to the diploma.

    Discover IB Tutor

Schools and education

The Lycée Français de Singapour, AEFE-accredited, covers nursery to the French baccalaureate on one large campus. Around it, a rich international offering, but waiting lists are common.

Good to know

  • Plan ahead: for the French school and international schools alike, admissions are often settled a year in advance.
  • Local public schools are excellent but rarely accessible to foreign children.
  • Budget matters: school fees are one of the first items to negotiate in an expat package.
  • School buses are the norm, booked through dedicated operators.

Children's healthcare

The standard of care is outstanding, public and private alike. But nothing is free for foreign residents: health insurance is the first thing to sort out.

Good to know

  • Get insurance covering hospitalisation before you arrive; check maternity cover if a baby is on the horizon.
  • KK Women's and Children's Hospital is the main public reference for paediatrics.
  • Private paediatric clinics are everywhere and appointments come fast.
  • Some vaccinations are mandatory for children living in Singapore; French records are recognised, translated if needed.

French-speaking community

The French community in Singapore is large, close-knit and very organised. You settle in fast, sometimes faster than you expected.

Good to know

  • Accueil Singapour (FIAFE network) runs welcome coffees, activities and tours all year round.
  • River Valley, Holland Village and the East Coast are home to many French-speaking families.
  • Facebook and WhatsApp groups of French mums respond fast on practical questions.
  • The Alliance française offers a media library and cultural activities for children.

Family outings and events

Outdoors all year: hot and humid, yes, but the city is designed for children, from free splash pads to vast landscaped parks.

Good to know

  • Zoo, Night Safari, Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa: the iconic outings already fill several weekends.
  • East Coast Park is the family playground: cycling, beach, playgrounds and barbecues.
  • Public libraries (NLB) are beautiful, free, with remarkable children's areas.
  • Many malls have free play areas and splash pads, lifesavers in the hottest hours.

These landmarks change fast: the MumExpat community will keep them up to date.

Coming soon: the full Singapore guide.

Verified addresses, paediatricians recommended by mums, a family agenda updated every week. Join the waitlist to discover the Singapore page first.

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