Is it illegal to visit prostitutes in Singapore?

Last updated on May 4, 2011

It is not illegal to be a prostitute in Singapore. Neither is it illegal to visit one. However, many activities related to prostitution are illegal. For example, persistent soliciting by prostitutes is prohibited under section 19 of the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act.

Managing a brothel is one of the many illegal acts related to prostitution, together with living on the earnings of the prostitution of another person, commonly known as pimping. These illegal acts and others related to prostitution are mostly documented in Part XI of the Women’s Charter.

Some publications have claimed that in reality, brothels are allowed to operate in certain red-light districts, provided the brothel owners observe a number of conditions, such as ensuring that the prostitutes are free of sexually transmitted diseases, and that the prostitutes are working out of their own volition. Prostitutes can only work in the brothels when they are medically registered and given a medical card.

Criminal Law

Arrest and Investigation
  1. Police Investigation Process in Singapore
  2. Arrestable and Non-Arrestable Offences in Singapore
  3. Police Arrest Procedure in Singapore
  4. Can the Public Make a Citizen's Arrest in Singapore?
  5. Is Lying to the Police or Authorities an Offence in Singapore?
  6. Surrender of Passport to the Police and How to Get It Back
  7. What to Do If You’re Being Investigated for a Criminal Offence in Singapore
  8. Can You Say No to a Lie Detector Test in Singapore? And Other FAQs
  9. What Should You Do If You Witness a Crime in Singapore?
  10. "Right to Remain Silent" to Singapore Police: Does It Exist?
  11. Extradition: What If I Flee After Committing Crime in Singapore
  12. Arrest Warrant Issued Against You in Singapore: What to Do
  13. Search Warrant: The Issuance and Execution of It in Singapore
  14. Police Custody in Singapore: What You Should Know
Bail
  1. The Essential Guide to Bail and Personal Bonds in Singapore
Prosecution
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  2. Prosecutorial Discretion in Singapore
  3. What is Private Prosecution?
  4. Compounding or Composition of Offences in Singapore
  5. Criminal Records in Singapore
  6. Plea Bargaining in Singapore: All You Need to Know
Criminal Proceedings
  1. Compensation for Crime Victims in Singapore: How to Obtain
  2. Using Your Right to Self-Defence When Attacked in Singapore
  3. Claiming Trial as an Accused
  4. Mitigation Plea: How to Plead for Leniency in Court in Singapore
  5. Pleading Guilty in Singapore: Consequences & Withdrawal of Plea
  6. Guide to Filing a Criminal Appeal in Singapore
  7. Presidential Clemency in Singapore
  8. Probation: Eligibility and Whether It Leaves a Criminal Record
  9. Reformative Training in Singapore: When Will It be Ordered?
  10. Visiting a Loved One in Prison or On Death Row in Singapore
  11. 7 Detention Orders in Singapore: When Will They be Ordered?
  12. Consequences of Receiving a Stern Warning in Singapore
  13. Are You Eligible for a Mandatory Treatment Order (MTO)?
  14. Can I Represent Myself in a Criminal Court Case in Singapore and How?
  15. Caning in Singapore: Judicial, School & Parental Corporal Punishment
  16. Criminal Motion: What is It and How to File One in Singapore
  17. Getting Parole (Early Prison Release) in Singapore
  18. Repatriation or Deportation from Singapore: How Does It Work?
  19. How Can Adult Offenders Get Probation in Singapore?
  20. Guide to Filing a Criminal Revision in Singapore
  21. Day Reporting Order: Eligibility and Offender's Obligations
  22. The Defence of Unsound Mind in Singapore: What is It?
Sexual Offences
  1. Legal Age for Sex in Singapore and Common Sexual Offences
  2. Accused of Molest: Outrage of Modesty in Singapore
  3. What Can Victims of Sexual Harassment in Singapore Do?
  4. What is the Law on Sexting in Singapore?
  5. Revenge Porn: What If Your Nudes are Leaked in Singapore?
  6. Crime of Voyeurism in Singapore (Penalties and Defences)
  7. Consent in Sexual Offences in Singapore and What Victims Can Do
  8. STDs: Can I Go to the Police If a Partner Infected Me in Singapore?
  9. Child Pornography in Singapore: Offences and Penalties
  10. Date Rape: What to Do If Your Drink Has Been Unlawfully Spiked?
Vice-Related Offences
  1. Is it illegal to visit prostitutes in Singapore?
  2. Is Watching, Downloading or Filming Porn Illegal in Singapore?
  3. Singapore's Drug Laws: Possession, Consumption and Trafficking
  4. Gambling Legally (In Public or Online) in Singapore
  5. Is Vaping Illegal in Singapore?
  6. DUI: Here are the Penalties for Drink-Driving in Singapore
  7. Legal Drinking Age and Drinking-Related Laws in Singapore
  8. Singapore's Legal Smoking Age & Common Smoking Offences
  9. The Offence of Human Trafficking in Singapore and Its Penalties
Cybercrime
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White-Collar Crimes
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  2. Dishonest assistance and knowing receipt - The case of David Rasif
  3. Anti-Money Laundering Laws and You
  4. All You Need to Know About Corruption in Singapore
  5. 5 Things You Need to Know about Insider Trading
Other Criminal Offences
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  2. Is Suicide Illegal in Singapore? Will I Be Punished for Trying?
  3. Is it illegal to feed stray animals in Singapore?
  4. Criminal Intimidation: Penalties for Making Threats in Singapore
  5. Penalties for Impersonating Someone and Victim Redress
  6. What are Sham Marriages and Are They Illegal in Singapore?
  7. Public Assemblies and Processions in Singapore: Police Permits and the Public Order Act
  8. Racial Enmity: Sections 298 and 298A Penal Code Explained
  9. Penalties for Unlawful Assembly and Rioting in Singapore
  10. Voluntarily Causing Hurt Penalties in Singapore (Non-Arrestable)
  11. Misbehaving in Public: 5 Things You Need to Know
  12. Is it Legal for Drivers to Carpool in Singapore?
  13. Guide to E-Scooter and PMD Laws for Singapore Riders
  14. Is Joining a Gang Illegal in Singapore?: Being Recruited and Penalties
  15. What Happens If You’re Caught Speeding in Singapore?
  16. Charged with a Traffic Offence in Singapore: What to Do
  17. Penalties for Committing Theft in Singapore
  18. Road Rage: What is It and How are Offenders Sentenced in Singapore
  19. Singapore Fake News Laws: Guide to POFMA (Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act)
  20. Laws and Penalties for Doxxing in Singapore (With Examples)
  21. Penalties for Littering and Killer Litter Offences in Singapore
  22. Organised Crimes: Penalties/Orders Syndicates Face in Singapore
  23. Singapore Animal Abuse Offences, Penalties & How to Report
  24. Penalties for Dishonest Misappropriation of Property in Singapore
  25. Here are the Penalties for Committing Forgery in Singapore
  26. Penalties for Financing Terrorist Operations in Singapore
  27. Penalties for Illegal Immigration and Overstaying in Singapore
  28. Vandalism: Penalties for Damaging Property in Singapore
  29. Kidnapping Scam: Penalties & Responding to a ‘Kidnap Call/Text'
  30. Religious Cults in Singapore: Are they Illegal? Penalties & More
  31. Committing Robbery in Singapore: What are the Penalties?
  32. Criminal Trespass in Singapore: What Happens If You’re Caught?
Certificate of Clearance
  1. How Do You Apply for a Certificate of Clearance in Singapore?