Singapore is introducing the world's first "green aviation tax" for departing passengers from 2026. Find out who will pay, how much and when the law will come into effect

Singapore will become the first country in the world to introduce a mandatory “green tax” for all passengers flying out of the country. The new fee is aimed at financing sustainable aviation fuel SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), which should reduce CO₂ emissions and make air travel more environmentally friendly.

We will tell you about the changes in the taxation system for foreigners in Singapore in this article.

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When will the “green aviation tax” come into effect in Singapore?

The innovation will come into effect in two stages:

- from April 1, 2026 – the tax will begin to be included in tickets;

- from October 1, 2026 – it will actually be levied on flights.

Why did Singapore introduce the “green aviation tax” and what is the SAF?

Singapore wants to become the first global aviation hub to systematically use SAF – a fuel that can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional kerosene.

SAF remains expensive to produce, so the state is launching a special fund where the funds from the levy will go.

A separate structure has been created to manage finances – SAFCo, which will be responsible for the purchase and distribution of environmentally friendly fuel.

Singapore’s goals

- 1% of all aviation fuel – SAF – by the end of 2026;

- 3-5% of SAF – by 2030.

Who will pay the “green aviation tax” in Singapore?

The levy will be paid by all passengers departing from Singapore, regardless of the airline. Only transit travelers are exempt from the tax.

In addition to passenger flights, it applies to:

- Cargo flights (calculated per kg of cargo),

- Private and charter aviation (the rate depends on the type and size of the aircraft).

Training, humanitarian and charity flights are also exempt.

How much will you have to pay?

The amount of the tax depends on the distance and class of service. The state has identified five zones.

Zone 1 – Southeast Asia

- Economy: 1 SGD

- Premium: 4 SGD

Zone 2 – Northeast Asia, South Asia, Australia, Papua New Guinea

- Economy: 3.8 SGD

- Premium: 11.2 SGD

Zone 3 – Europe, Africa, Central and West Asia, Middle East, Oceania, New Zealand

- Economy: 6.4 SGD

- Premium: 25.6 SGD

Zone 4 – North and South America

- Economy: 10.4 SGD

- Premium: 41.6 SGD

Important! The tax is only charged to the nearest destination. For example, on the Singapore-Amsterdam-Paris route, the tax will only be charged for the section to Amsterdam.

An important detail: a fixed rate

The tax rates will remain unchanged, even if the market price of SAF increases.

This is done so that passengers and airlines can predict costs.

A revision of tariffs is only possible in the event of a change in national climate targets.

How will the new tax be reflected?

- Airlines will automatically include the tax in tickets;

- It will appear as a separate line in the cost calculation;

- The funds will go to a special SAF fund for the purchase of environmentally friendly fuel.

What does the introduction of a “green aviation tax” mean for travelers?

The cost of tickets will increase slightly, but passengers will effectively co-finance the global transition to more environmentally friendly aviation.

Singapore’s model could serve as a model for other countries looking to reduce emissions in the aviation sector.

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The introduction of the “green aviation tax” makes Singapore a leader in the implementation of green technologies in aviation. The new fee will help accelerate the use of SAF and reduce the climate impact of air travel. For passengers, this means a slight increase in ticket prices, but at the same time - a contribution to a more sustainable future of air travel.

As a reminder! Discover Singapore - one of the most interesting cities in Asia. We have already told you when is the best time to plan a trip, which attractions are a must-see, how to get around the city, where to stay and what you need to know about currency and security.

Photo – Freepik

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