Contraception
Contraception is available at polyclinics, GP surgeries and private clinics. Oral contraceptives require a prescription, as does emergency contraception — a notable difference from most comparable countries, where it is sold over the counter.
Key points
| Prescription | Required for hormonal contraception and for emergency contraception |
|---|---|
| Where | Polyclinics, GPs, hospital clinics and the Singapore Planned Parenthood Association |
| Emergency contraception | Doctor's visit needed — plan for this, as time matters |
| Condoms | Freely available in pharmacies and supermarkets |
| Minors | Can access services; confidentiality is generally respected |
| Subsidies | Polyclinic rates are subsidised for citizens and permanent residents |
| IUDs | Fitted at polyclinics and hospitals |
| Long-acting methods | Available at polyclinics and hospitals; fitting fees apply |
In practice
- Go to a polyclinic for the lowest subsidised cost.
- For emergency contraception, attend a walk-in clinic the same day rather than waiting for an appointment.
Cost and coverage
Low cost at polyclinics for subsidised patients; higher in the private sector.
Recent changes
The prescription requirement for emergency contraception has been debated, since delay reduces effectiveness.
Where to go
- Polyclinics and Singapore Planned Parenthood Association.
- KK Women's and Children's Hospital clinics.
- Health Promotion Board for information.
Worth knowing
Because emergency contraception needs a prescription, know in advance which clinics near you open late or at weekends. A copper IUD fitted within five days is the other option. Because emergency contraception requires a prescription, timing matters. Same-day walk-in clinics, not pharmacies, are the route.
The general article: Contraception · Compare with another country
Abortion
The Termination of Pregnancy Act permits abortion by an authorised medical practitioner in an approved institution up to 24 weeks. Beyond that, it is permitted only where necessary to save life or prevent grave permanent injury. Counselling is required for certain groups before the procedure.
Key points
| Time limit | 24 weeks |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Citizens, permanent residents, spouses of citizens or PRs, and holders of certain passes; others must meet residence conditions |
| Counselling | Mandatory for some groups, including unmarried minors under 16, who must obtain a certificate of attendance |
| Parental consent | Not required by the Act |
| Confidentiality | Protected by law; disclosure without consent is an offence |
| Providers | Approved public and private institutions |
| Statute | Termination of Pregnancy Act, one of the earliest permissive laws in Asia |
| Exemption | Women with certain education levels are exempt from mandatory counselling |
In practice
- Contact a public hospital or an approved private clinic for an appointment.
- Attend pre-abortion counselling where required and keep the certificate.
- Bring identification and be ready to show eligibility.
- Book the counselling session first: the 48-hour period runs from it.
- Take identity documents; eligibility is tied to residence status.
Cost and coverage
Subsidised in public institutions for eligible patients; private costs are higher.
Recent changes
Policy attention has focused on counselling requirements and on ensuring confidentiality for young people.
Where to go
- KK Women's and Children's Hospital and other public institutions.
- Health Promotion Board counselling centre.
- AWARE Singapore for information and support.
Worth knowing
Eligibility rules matter here in a way they do not elsewhere: check them before making an appointment, particularly if you are on a work pass or a student pass. The 48-hour reflection period is calculated from the counselling session, so the appointment sequence determines whether you meet the limit.
The general article: Abortion · Compare with another country
Sexual orientation
Parliament repealed the provision criminalising sex between men in 2022. In the same session the Constitution was amended so that the statutory definition of marriage as between a man and a woman, and policies built on it, cannot be challenged in court. There is no legislation prohibiting discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, and public housing and media rules continue to reflect the marriage definition.
Singapore did two things at once in 2022: it repealed the colonial provision criminalising sex between men, and it amended the Constitution so that the definition of marriage cannot be challenged in court, placing it beyond judicial reach and squarely with Parliament. The effect is decriminalisation without any movement toward recognition, and no statute prohibiting discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.
Key points
| Criminal law | The provision criminalising sex between men was repealed in 2022 |
|---|---|
| Marriage | Defined as between a man and a woman; insulated from constitutional challenge |
| Discrimination | No statutory prohibition on grounds of sexual orientation |
| Public housing | Eligibility rules are built on the marriage definition |
| Media rules | Content regulation continues to reflect that framework |
| Health care | Accessible, including anonymous testing services |
| Organisations | Community organisations operate openly within defined limits |
In practice
- Repeal removed the criminal risk; it did not create any positive right or protection.
- Housing eligibility rules matter in practice more than the criminal law did: plan around them.
- Anonymous testing and sexual health services are available and confidential.
Cost and coverage
Health services are subsidised for citizens and permanent residents; community counselling is generally free.
Recent changes
Section 377A was repealed in 2022 alongside a constitutional amendment protecting the definition of marriage from challenge; workplace fairness legislation has since been developed covering a defined list of characteristics.
Where to go
- Community counselling and support organisations.
- Anonymous sexual health testing services.
- Legal clinics providing free initial advice.
Worth knowing
The 2022 package was deliberately balanced: the criminal provision went, and the marriage definition was placed beyond judicial reach. Both halves matter when planning housing, parenthood or immigration.
Frequently asked questions
What did the 2022 repeal change?
It removed the criminal offence, which had not been actively enforced but had symbolic and practical weight. At the same time a constitutional amendment insulated the parliamentary definition of marriage from legal challenge, so recognition of same-sex relationships is now a purely political question.
Is there protection against discrimination?
No statute covers sexual orientation. Workplace fairness legislation has been developed covering listed characteristics; whether it extends here has been the subject of debate. Employers' own policies, particularly in multinationals, are often the only practical protection.
The general article: Sexual orientation · Compare with another country
Drugs and controlled substances
The strictest regime covered on this site: capital punishment for trafficking above set weights, and a statutory presumption of trafficking from quantity alone.
The Misuse of Drugs Act makes trafficking above stated weights punishable by death, with a presumption of trafficking arising from possession above lower thresholds. Consumption is itself an offence, punishable by imprisonment and a fine, and a positive urine test on return to Singapore can found a prosecution for consumption committed abroad.
The weights that trigger the capital presumption include, among others, fifteen grams of diamorphine, thirty grams of cocaine, two hundred and fifty grams of methamphetamine and five hundred grams of cannabis.
A limited alternative to the death sentence exists where the offender was only a courier and either substantively assists the authorities or is found to have a diminished mental responsibility.
Consumption is prosecuted, and repeat consumption carries a minimum sentence. A Singaporean or permanent resident who consumes a controlled drug outside Singapore can be prosecuted on return.
Rehabilitation exists through the Drug Rehabilitation Centre regime, which is a form of supervised detention rather than a voluntary health service.
Key points
| Main statute | Misuse of Drugs Act |
|---|---|
| Capital thresholds | Include 15 g diamorphine, 30 g cocaine, 250 g methamphetamine, 500 g cannabis |
| Presumption | Trafficking presumed from possession above lower thresholds |
| Consumption | An offence in itself; minimum sentence on repetition |
| Extraterritorial | Consumption abroad prosecutable for citizens and permanent residents |
In practice
- Never carry a package, a bag or a gift for another person through Singapore.
- The National Addictions Management Service provides treatment; voluntary presentation before detection is treated more favourably.
- A foreign national arrested must contact their embassy immediately, though consular assistance cannot change the applicable law.
Cost and coverage
Treatment through the public health service is subsidised. Court fines are set by statute.
Recent changes
Executions for drug trafficking have continued in recent years, confirming that the capital provisions are applied in practice and not merely available on paper.
Where to go
- National Addictions Management Service (NAMS), Institute of Mental Health.
- NAMS helpline for treatment and advice.
- Emergencies: 995.
Frequently asked questions
Can a tourist be executed for trafficking?
The capital provisions apply regardless of nationality once the weight thresholds are met.
Can I be prosecuted for using a drug abroad?
Citizens and permanent residents can be prosecuted on return for consumption committed outside Singapore.
The general article: Drugs and controlled substances · Compare with another country
Alcohol and tobacco
Vapes banned outright, tobacco age raised to twenty-one, and alcohol sale prohibited late at night.
Singapore bans the possession, purchase and use of vaping products altogether, not merely their sale — a position taken by very few countries. The minimum age for tobacco was raised progressively to twenty-one. Alcohol cannot be sold for takeaway between half past ten at night and seven in the morning, and public drinking is prohibited during those hours.
Singapore bans vapes outright — importing, selling, possessing and using them are all offences, with fines and confiscation at the border — and has raised the tobacco age to twenty-one. Retail sale of alcohol is prohibited between 10.30 pm and 7 am, and drinking in public places at those hours is an offence, with stricter zones in two designated areas. The rules are enforced, not nominal.
Key points
| Vapes | Possession, purchase and use are all prohibited, with fines |
|---|---|
| Tobacco age | 21, raised progressively |
| Alcohol sale | Prohibited for takeaway between 22:30 and 07:00 |
| Public drinking | Prohibited during the same hours |
| Liquor control zones | Stricter rules in designated areas |
| Smoking | Prohibited in almost all public places, including many outdoor areas |
| Quit services | Free national programme with pharmacist support |
In practice
- Bringing vapes into the country is an offence and is enforced at the border.
- The national quit programme is free and available at pharmacies and polyclinics.
- Check the liquor control zones if you are in certain districts at the weekend.
- Nicotine replacement is available at pharmacies without prescription.
Cost and coverage
The national quit programme is free; nicotine replacement is paid for.
Recent changes
Enforcement against vaping has intensified, with higher penalties, more border seizures and action against online sellers; the tobacco minimum age reached twenty-one in 2021 after a phased increase.
Where to go
- Health Promotion Board quit programme.
- Polyclinics and participating pharmacies.
- National Addictions Management Service for alcohol.
Worth knowing
The vaping ban covers possession and use, not just sale. Travellers are caught out by this regularly, including in transit.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if you bring a vape into Singapore?
It is confiscated and you face a fine; possession and use are offences, not just sale. Customs check for them, and penalties rise for repeat offences and for anyone importing quantities. Do not assume the rule is unenforced — it is one of the most actively policed in the region.
When can you buy alcohol in Singapore?
From shops between 7 am and 10.30 pm only. Licensed premises may serve later, but retail sale and public drinking outside those hours are prohibited, with tighter rules in the Liquor Control Zones of Little India and Geylang at weekends.
The general article: Alcohol and tobacco · Compare with another country
General sources
- gov.sg — official government portal
- Singapore Statutes Online — legislation in force