SINGAPORE – A mandatory licensing regime will be imposed on all massage establishments, with police bringing an end to rooms, partitions and cubicles for open-concept outlets which were supposed to operate in full view of the public.
The change comes in the wake of public unhappiness over the current system, with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) noting an increase in vice-related activities and infringement of conditions imposed on open-concept massage establishments.
Open-concept establishments were exempted from licensing since 2018, but are required to be registered with the police.
Under the new regime, slated to come into force by the second half of 2026, all massage establishments will be subjected to the same “fit and proper” requirements.
The new regime will also remove the licensing exemption for open-concept massage establishments.
They will be subjected to more stringent licensing criteria, and a requirement to obtain the relevant approvals from the Housing Board or Urban Redevelopment Authority before setting up shop.
These establishments must also comply with conditions including the requirement to not have rooms, partitions or cubicles within the shop.
“Since the exemption took effect in 2018, the police have observed a steady rise in public unhappiness, arising from the increase in number of open-concept massage establishments and the social disamenities they create.
Police have also observed an increase in vice-related activities and infringements of exemption conditions in open-concept massage establishments,” said SPF in a statement on April 21.
Massage establishments are grouped under three categories.
Category 1 licences are granted to those that operate in HDB shop houses, shopping centres and hotels, while Category 2 licences are given to those operating in spaces away from residential areas, schools and places of worship.
