National Service and exit permits

Exit permit and bond for NS-liable males, no deferment for degrees abroad, NSmen travelling for 12 months or more.

Pre-enlistees (not yet served)

• NS-liable male Singapore citizens and PRs aged 13 and above need an exit permit to be abroad for 3 months or more (CMPB: exit permit and bond).
• Boys from 13 to 16½ staying abroad for 2 years or more must also furnish a bond: the higher of S$75,000 or 50% of both parents' combined gross annual income, as a banker's guarantee.
• Penalties: up to S$2,000 fine for under-16½s staying abroad without a permit (and for each parent); from 16½ without a valid permit up to S$10,000 fine and/or 3 years' jail.
• Apply via the NS portal.

Studying in Germany before NS

CMPB states that deferment will not be granted for degree courses; deferment for overseas studies is possible only up to A-Level or diploma level, with age limits (CMPB: deferment for studies). A German bachelor or an Ausbildung before NS is therefore usually not possible. Overseas pre-enlistees: CMPB.

NSmen (operationally ready)

• Since April 2023 NSmen need an exit permit only for trips of 12 months or more; for 6 months or more they are encouraged to inform their unit (MINDEF fact sheet, NS portal).
• Moving to Berlin for work usually means more than 12 months, so plan the exit permit and your ICT obligations. Whether a permit is granted, and how in-camp training is handled while abroad, is decided by MINDEF.

Citizenship and NS

Renouncing Singapore citizenship does not end outstanding NS obligations; see Citizenship and PR.