Hiring a foreign domestic worker (FDW) in Singapore is a popular solution for households seeking help with childcare, elderly care, or general housekeeping. But beyond salary and agency fees, maid levy – also known as the Foreign Domestic Worker Levy – is a recurring cost that employers must account for.
In this guide, we’ll break down the latest maid levy rates in Singapore, available concessions, who qualifies for them, and how to pay.
The maid levy is a monthly fee paid to the Singapore government for employing a foreign domestic helper. It is not part of the helper’s salary and goes directly to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Think of it as a foreign worker tax – a policy tool used to regulate the number of foreign domestic workers in the country.
As of 2025, the standard and concessionary maid levy rates are as follows:
| Category | Monthly Levy |
|---|---|
| Normal Rate (1st Helper) | SGD 300 |
| Normal (Subsequent helpers) | SGD 450 |
| Concessionary Rate | SGD 60 |
You can enjoy a lower levy of SGD 60/month if your household meets any of these conditions:
Each eligible household is allowed concession for up to 2 helpers.
To apply:
Maid levy is auto-deducted monthly via GIRO from the employer’s bank account. It’s essential to maintain sufficient funds to avoid late payment penalties. Alternatively you can use PayNow QR.
Failure to pay the levy may result in:
While maid salaries and agency fees are often top of mind, the maid levy is a mandatory and recurring cost that every employer in Singapore must plan for. If you’re eligible for concessions, take full advantage – it could save you over SGD 2,800 a year.
To learn more or check your eligibility, visit the Ministry of Manpower website.
