Life in Hong Kong for Expats

One of the world’s leading international financial centres, the Hong Kong business environment is fast paced and despite previous economic downturns, Hong Kong remains a popular location for many expats.

Hong Kong has a prime location at the geographical and economic centre of Asia, offering expats easy access to all the major markets in the Asia Pacific region. Hong Kong International Airport is consistently rated as one of the best airports in the world and seen as an ‘engineering marvel’.

Taxis and buses operate 24/7 in the city, which also provides fast and reliable underground and overground railways.

The 2023  Mercer cost of living survey ranked Hong Kong as the most expensive city in the world for expats. Living in Hong Kong as an expat is expensive with accommodation costs accounting for one of the greatest expenses for expats, with both a lack of affordable housing and high rental prices.

(compared with a European city using a large cost of living database)

McDonalds meal HKD $45 (€5.31)
Litre milk HKD $25 (€2.95)
Pint of beer HKD $60 (€7.08)
Internet HKD $173.63 per month (€20.49)
1 bedroom city apartment HKD $18138.30 per month (€2,140.18)
Monthly transport pass HKD $500 (€59)

In addition to the high cost of accommodation in Hong Kong, the other major expenses which expats living in Hong Kong may face are education and healthcare.

Like most popular expat destinations, Hong Kong offers expat families a choice of public and private school alternatives, all of which meet a high standard academically.

Teaching in public schools is mainly through the local language, therefore many expat families opt to enrol their children in one of the many international schools. 

Hong Kong offers excellent international schools teaching various national curricula, as well as the International Baccalaureate programme. In the best schools, competition for places is high and spaces are limited. As these schools tend to be quite expensive, substantial financial pressure may be placed on expat families who do not have an education allowance built into their expat package.

Hong Kong has a world-class healthcare system. Both public and private hospitals are modern and employ highly trained English-speaking doctors. 

The government operated hospital system is managed by Hong Kong's Health Authority. There are 164 public hospitals and clinics and 12 private hospitals all offering high quality healthcare.

Fees for public hospitals vary, based on an individual’s eligible and non-eligible status. 

Eligible persons include:

• holders of a Hong Kong Identity Card issued under the Registration of Persons Ordinance
• children under 11 years of age with Hong Kong resident status
• other persons approved by the Director of Health

For expats living in Hong Kong an international health insurance can ensure continued access to quality healthcare and avoid expensive medical fees. When assessing health insurance options, expats living in Hong Kong should consider including a repatriation plan.

For more information on the healthcare system in Hong Kong click here. 

For anyone considering relocating to Hong Kong for work or study, advice and the most up to date information on visa requirements and regulations can be obtained by visiting the Hong Kong Immigration Department here.

*Costs accurate as of May 2024