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How to Set Up a Family Office in Singapore: A Step-by-Step Guide for HNWIs

Published: 2025-05-13 Source: ChinaZ Author: wealthshield
Intro: As wealth grows across Asia, more high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) are turning to family offices to manage their assets, investments, and succession planning. Singapore has emerged as a global hub for setting up modern, tax-efficient, and

Intro:

As wealth grows across Asia, more high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) are turning to family offices to manage their assets, investments, and succession planning. Singapore has emerged as a global hub for setting up modern, tax-efficient, and discreet family offices. This guide walks you through the entire process in 2025.

Content Sections:

1.What Is a Family Office?

A family office is a private organization that handles the wealth and affairs of a single family or multiple families. It offers services such as investment management, tax optimization, estate planning, philanthropy coordination, and more.


2.Why Choose Singapore?

Political and financial stability

Attractive tax regime and incentives (e.g., 13O & 13U schemes)

Strong legal framework for trusts and holding structures

Growing ecosystem of wealth advisors, bankers, and tax lawyers


3.Requirements for Setting Up a Family Office in Singapore

Minimum Assets Under Management (AUM): typically USD $5M~$10M+

Physical presence in SG (local office)

Employment of 2+ investment professionals (can be family)

Submission of investment strategy and annual reports to MAS


4.Step-by-Step Process

Step Action

1、Choose a legal entity (e.g., Pte Ltd)

2、Appoint fund manager or in-house team

3、Apply for 13O / 13U tax exemption

4、Build investment portfolio

5、Prepare compliance filings (MAS, ACRA)


5.Outsourcing vs In-House: What Works Better?

Single-family office: more control, higher cost

Multi-family office (MFO): cost sharing, less control

Outsource accounting, compliance, IT if needed


Closing Summary:

Setting up a family office in Singapore is no longer reserved for billionaires. With flexible regulatory frameworks and growing advisory support, even mid-tier HNWIs can benefit from tax optimization, confidentiality, and legacy planning. Plan early, structure wisely.

(Editors: admin)

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