Singapore is an obvious destination for many students, because companies and universities work closely together there. The rules are clear but demand attention: a visa-free entry does not mean that you may work. This guide explains the pass types, the insurance and the costs of an internship in Singapore.
Short answer: German citizens usually enter Singapore without a visa for short stays, but they may not work during them. Training that is part of your studies runs through the Training Employment Pass of the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). According to the MOM, it is valid for up to three months and cannot be extended. The requirement is that you study at a recognised institution or receive a fixed monthly salary of at least 3,000 Singapore dollars. Stand: October 2026.
The key points at a glance
- Visa-free short stays exclude employment, even if you work unpaid.
- For training that is part of your studies, the MOM provides the Training Employment Pass. According to the MOM (as of 30 March 2026), it is valid for up to three months and cannot be extended.
- As an alternative to studying, the authority names a fixed monthly salary of at least 3,000 Singapore dollars.
- Healthcare for visitors is usually paid directly, which is why private travel health insurance is essential.
- Funding comes from Auslands-BAföG, the DAAD or university programmes, not from a fixed flat rate.
Which types of pass exist for an internship in Singapore?
Singapore distinguishes between visa-free visits and stays with a work pass. For interns, the Training Employment Pass is the most relevant. The overview shows the main options. The details are described by the MOM, whose page was last updated on 30 March 2026.
| Option | Typical case | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-free entry | Visit, travel, meetings without any activity | No employment. The current length of stay is stated by the Federal Foreign Office. |
| Training Employment Pass | Training or an internship that is part of your studies | Study at a recognised institution or a fixed monthly salary of at least 3,000 SGD. According to the MOM, valid for up to three months and not renewable. Anyone who has already held a TEP for the same type of training is not eligible to apply. |
| Employment Pass | Employment after graduation with a higher salary | Usually not the right route for most internships, because the requirements are higher. |
The application for the Training Employment Pass is usually made by the host organisation in Singapore. Ask them early whether they know the process and which documents they need from you.
When do you need the Training Employment Pass?
The authority names two core points. First, the training must be part of your studies. Second, you must either be enrolled at a recognised institution or receive a fixed monthly salary of at least 3,000 Singapore dollars. Foreign trainees of a branch or subsidiary from abroad must also prove the fixed monthly salary of at least 3,000 Singapore dollars. According to the MOM, the pass is valid for up to three months and cannot be renewed, so an internship of six months cannot be covered with it. For longer assignments, ask the MOM about another pass type before you accept an offer. The decision in each case rests with the authority.
What counts as a recognised institution is stated on the MOM page. If in doubt, ask there before you accept a placement.
Which health insurance do you need in Singapore?
For visitors in Singapore, treatment is usually paid directly, and costs can rise quickly. Statutory health insurance covers costs outside the EU only to a limited extent. That is why a private travel health insurance policy with repatriation and clear rules on pre-existing conditions is the usual route.
Ask your health insurer about your student insurance during the stay. Our guide Private Health Insurance for Internships: What You Need to Know sets out the typical questions you should clarify beforehand.
What does an internship in Singapore cost?
Singapore is considered expensive, especially for accommodation. The following calculation is an assumption and does not replace a market check. It helps you sort the cost items.
Example calculation for twelve weeks
Assumption: twelve weeks of internship, accommodation at 1,000 euros per month, living costs at 600 euros per month, flight 900 euros, pass fees 200 euros, insurance for the period 300 euros.
| Item | Assumption | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 3 months at 1,000 euros | 3,000 euros |
| Living costs | 3 months at 600 euros | 1,800 euros |
| Flight | Return flight | 900 euros |
| Pass and processing fees | Assumed, check the current amounts with the MOM | 200 euros |
| Insurance | Assumed for twelve weeks | 300 euros |
| Total | 6,200 euros |
Which funding is realistic?
We are not aware of any funding specific to Singapore. Auslands-BAföG can under certain conditions also cover internships that are part of your training. Your BAföG office gives the answer. The DAAD funds internships abroad through its own programmes. Whether Erasmus+ fits your university depends on its partnerships. The International Office knows the agreements and helps you choose. An overview of scholarships and funding for study abroad is provided by our guide Funding Study Abroad: BAföG, Erasmus and Scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Is visa-free entry enough for my internship?
Usually not. A visa-free stay does not allow employment, and internships with tasks are quickly treated as work. For an internship that is part of your studies, check the Training Employment Pass.
Do I need the pass for an unpaid internship as well?
If your studies are the link, the question of pay does not matter. Even so, for unpaid placements it is worth getting a written statement from the MOM before you accept.
What salary does Singapore require?
As an alternative to studying at a recognised institution, the authority names a fixed monthly salary of at least 3,000 Singapore dollars. The figure is stated on the MOM page, which was last updated on 30 March 2026. The page does not give an application fee.
Can I be treated in Singapore with my German health insurance?
That depends on the scope of cover. Statutory insurance pays only a limited amount outside the EU, and the European Health Insurance Card does not apply in Singapore. Compare private travel policies by treatment, repatriation and pre-existing conditions.
Who helps with the application?
The host organisation usually submits the application. Your university clarifies whether the internship is recognised. Questions about entry go to the Federal Foreign Office, and questions about the pass go to the MOM.
What to do now
- Clarify with your university whether the internship is part of your studies and how it will be recognised.
- Check with the host organisation who applies for the Training Employment Pass and which documents are needed.
- Compare private travel health insurance by repatriation, pre-existing conditions and excess.
- Plan your costs with your own calculation and book flights and accommodation only after the offer is confirmed.
Related guides
- Internship Abroad in Japan: Visa, Insurance and Funding
- Internship Abroad in Australia: Visa, Insurance and Funding
- Private Health Insurance for Internships: What You Need to Know
- Private travel health insurance per month: guide values by region
- Student Internship: Minimum Wage and Social Insurance
Sources: MOM Singapore, Training Employment Pass: eligibility (page last updated 30 March 2026), SGB V, section 5 (as of October 2026).
Stand: October 2026. This guide is information, not individual advice.
