Living in Singapore · Health & safety · 7 min
Health, essential apps and moving around safely outdoors in Singapore
Everyday needs just take a GP and the right apps. For a real emergency, you already know when to head to A&E, and which number to call first.
Updated Sep 24, 2026
In Singapore, everyday healthcare runs through a General Practitioner (GP), not the emergency department. Knowing when to use each one (and which apps to have installed before you need them) is the difference between sorting something out in an afternoon or losing half a day in the wrong waiting room.
GP, polyclinic or A&E: which one is yours
For anything mild or moderate (a cold, fever, cuts, sprains, high blood pressure) start with a General Practitioner (GP) or a polyclinic; together they cover around 80% of primary care in Singapore. Call 995 or go straight to the Emergency Department only for real emergency signs: sudden or severe pain including chest pain, difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, sudden confusion, or coughing or vomiting blood.
The GPFirst programme
A GP participating in GPFirst can refer you to the Emergency Department with priority and, if you meet the programme criteria, apply a S$50 subsidy towards the A&E fee. Not every foreign resident qualifies automatically. Ask your GP whether it applies in your case before going on your own.
At the pharmacy: over-the-counter is not the same as in Mexico
Always explain your symptoms, allergies and other medication. The HSA (Health Sciences Authority) classifies medicines as general sale, pharmacy-only or prescription-only, so something you buy over the counter in Mexico may need a prescription here.
If you bring personal medication, check its ingredients before travelling: the HSA allows up to three months of a legally prescribed treatment if you carry it in its original packaging with a prescription or medical letter. Controlled medicines need prior approval. The authority recommends submitting the request at least two weeks before you travel, as a lead time for processing, not as a limit on how much you can bring.
The apps worth installing from day one
The basic app kit
- myENV: weather, rain radar, dengue clusters and air quality for your area.
- OneService: to report potholes, broken street lights or neighbourhood issues directly to the responsible agency.
- ActiveSG: to book courts, gyms and public pools.
- ScamShield: blocks fraudulent calls and texts, and lets you report scams.
Walking, running or cycling: the rules that differ
Singapore distinguishes cycling paths, shared paths and pedestrian-only routes. They are not interchangeable. The speed limit on shared paths is 25 km/h, according to the LTA active mobility rules. Since 1 June 2026, keeping an e-scooter without UL2272 certification has been an offence. Check the current requirements on the LTA e-scooters page.
Before heading out to walk, run or cycle, check the rain radar on myENV, not just the day's weather icon. If active storms are nearby, it is worth postponing outdoor activity. Lightning risk can extend beyond where it is raining at your exact spot.
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