The real starting number, from AIC directly
The Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), Singapore's official coordinating body for eldercare, states nursing home costs start from around S$3,900 per month before any government subsidy, with the exact figure depending on the level of care needed. There may be additional fees on top, deposits and other charges vary by nursing home.
The broader market shows a wide range: heavily subsidised VWO (voluntary welfare organisation) homes like NTUC Health, Ren Ci, or St Luke's can run as low as S$1,200–S$2,800/month for eligible, subsidised residents. Private nursing homes typically run S$2,500–S$5,500/month, and premium private facilities can exceed S$12,000/month. Where a family lands in that range depends heavily on the care level required and whether the resident qualifies for subsidy.
How the subsidy actually works
Government subsidy for a nursing home is means-tested using Monthly Per Capita Household Income, the total household income divided by the number of household members. If the household has no income, the Annual Value of the home is used instead, calculated by IRAS as the estimated annual rent the property would fetch if rented out.
Subsidy levels for 2026 are calculated using 2025 Annual Values. Confirm and update your household's information through the MediShield Life Household Check e-Service before applying, an outdated record can result in a lower subsidy than you actually qualify for.
| Group | Subsidy level for residential (nursing home) care |
|---|---|
| Singapore Citizens, general means-tested | 10–75%, based on per capita household income |
| Pioneer Generation (born 1949 or earlier) & citizens born 1969 or earlier | Enhanced subsidy, up to 80% |
| Permanent Residents | Generally lower subsidy than citizens, still means-tested |
💡 Tip
To even be eligible for MOH-funded nursing home subsidy, the care recipient must be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident, and typically needs a referral and assessment (via a GP, hospital medical social worker, or the AIC InterRAI functional assessment) confirming the level of care actually required.
Other funding schemes worth knowing about
Nursing home fees rarely stand alone as the only source of financial pressure, several other schemes exist specifically to help:
• CareShield Life — compulsory long-term care insurance for Singapore Citizens and PRs; provides a monthly cash payout (from around S$600/month, rising over time) if the insured becomes severely disabled, which can be directed toward nursing home fees • ElderFund — discretionary cash assistance (up to S$250/month) for severely disabled, lower-income Singaporeans aged 30 and above who don't qualify sufficiently under CareShield Life, ElderShield, or MediSave Care • MediSave Care — allows monthly cash withdrawals (up to S$200/month) from the patient's or an approved family member's MediSave for long-term care needs • MediFund — a last-resort safety net for citizens who still face genuine difficulty after subsidies, MediSave, and the schemes above; applied for through the nursing home's medical social worker • Home Caregiving Grant — while primarily intended for home-based care, this can free up household finances that indirectly help with nursing home costs if admission follows a period of home care
VWO vs private: what the difference actually means
VWO-run nursing homes (voluntary welfare organisations, like NTUC Health, Ren Ci, Jamiyah, St Luke's) are the ones eligible for MOH subsidy and generally offer more basic amenities, shared rooms, and longer waitlists given high demand. Private nursing homes (Econ, Orange Valley, and others) generally offer better amenities, air-conditioning, private or semi-private rooms, and shorter waits, but subsidy eligibility and levels can differ, some private homes accept Pioneer/Merdeka Generation subsidies, others operate fully private-pay. Always confirm directly with the specific facility which subsidies they accept before assuming.
How to apply, step by step
1. Get a referral — from a GP, hospital care team, or medical social worker, confirming nursing home care is genuinely appropriate 2. Complete the AIC InterRAI functional assessment — this determines the actual care tier needed 3. Check and update your household's means-testing information via the MediShield Life Household Check e-Service 4. Shortlist nursing homes — compare subsidised VWO options against private homes based on location, amenities, and confirmed subsidy eligibility 5. Apply for additional schemes (CareShield Life, ElderFund, MediFund) in parallel, don't wait for the nursing home placement to be confirmed first
⚠️ Important
Costs and subsidy figures here reflect the framework as of 2026, sourced from AIC and MOH's own published figures. These are reviewed periodically, always confirm current rates directly with AIC or the specific nursing home before making a financial decision.
