Just Landed in Brunei? Your First 7 Days

Brunei has three mobile operators, DST, Progresif and imagine, which all run over a single shared national network operated by Unified National Networks (UNN). That means 4G coverage and reliability are broadly the same whichever provider you choose, and it is strong across the populated coastal strip. Prepaid SIMs must be registered to your passport under national regulations, so activation is quick but requires ID at purchase.

Typical cost: Prepaid SIM from BND 8 to 10; monthly data bundles roughly BND 15 to 40 depending on data and validity

The Brunei dollar is pegged one-to-one with the Singapore dollar under a longstanding currency interchangeability agreement, and Singapore notes are accepted interchangeably in shops here (and vice versa in Singapore). Cards and contactless work smoothly in malls, supermarkets and chain outlets, but cash still dominates markets, stalls, taxis and small shops, so you always want notes on you.

Opening an account: Baiduri Bank and Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) are the two main foreigner-friendly banks, and BIBD is the largest. You will generally need your passport, your Employment Pass or Green IC and a letter from your employer to open an account, so this step usually waits until your pass is issued. Both banks have solid mobile apps for transfers and bill payment.

Cash: Cash is still king outside malls. Keep small BND notes for tamu (open-air markets), roadside food stalls, taxis, prayer donations and neighbourhood kedai. Contactless and QR payments are becoming common in supermarkets and larger chains, but do not rely on them for everyday local spending.

Tipping: Tipping is not expected and is not part of the culture. Some sit-down restaurants and hotels add a service charge to the bill; beyond that, rounding up is optional and uncommon, and no one will be offended if you do not tip.

Foreign workers do not personally self-register a home address the way you might in Europe, but residence is still a formal, mandatory process: you must obtain a Green Identity Card (Green IC), which is your legal proof of residence and status as a foreign resident. Your employer sponsor initiates this alongside your Employment Pass and labour clearance, and you must attend the immigration department in person for biometrics and to collect the card. Carry your passport at all times until the Green IC is in hand, and then carry the Green IC, as you can be asked to show identification.

Deadline: Arranged by your sponsor shortly after arrival, once your Employment Pass is approved; there is no self-service deadline you manage yourself, but do not delay attending the biometric appointment when scheduled

Where: Immigration and National Registration Department (Jabatan Imigresen dan Pendaftaran Kebangsaan), Bandar Seri Begawan

Brunei is heavily car-dependent, with sparse and infrequent public buses and only a small number of metered taxis, so most expats rent or buy a car within their first weeks. The upside is that fuel is heavily subsidised and among the cheapest in the world, roads are quiet, modern and well-maintained, and there is almost no traffic congestion by regional standards. Driving is on the left, as in the UK.

From the airport: Brunei International Airport (airport code BWN) sits about 10 to 15 minutes by road from central Bandar Seri Begawan. There is no train or metro link anywhere in the country. From the terminal, use the Dart ride-hailing app, a pre-arranged hotel or employer transfer, or an airport taxi from the rank; for oil-and-gas arrivals heading to Kuala Belait or Seria, the drive is roughly 90 minutes to two hours west.

Expats typically rent detached houses, terraces or apartments in and around Bandar Seri Begawan, with the Gadong, Kiulap and central BSB suburbs popular for their proximity to malls and amenities, while oil-and-gas workers often settle around Kuala Belait and Seria. Many employers provide housing or a housing allowance, which shapes where you end up. Much of the rental market moves by word of mouth and local Facebook groups rather than formal agencies, so networking finds better deals than browsing listings alone.

Typical rent: Roughly BND 500 to 800 per month for a one-bedroom outside the centre and BND 800 to 1,200 in central areas; larger family houses commonly BND 1,500 to 3,000 or more

Deposit norm: Typically one to two months' rent as a security deposit, plus one month's rent in advance

Brunei has a strong, well-funded government healthcare system that is heavily subsidised for citizens, with Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital in Bandar Seri Begawan as the main public referral hospital. Foreigners can use public facilities but pay considerably higher non-citizen fees than locals, and many expats prefer private options for speed and convenience, such as Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC) and Gleneagles JPMC. For anything highly complex, patients are often referred onward to Singapore.

How to access it: For non-emergencies, visit a government health centre or a private clinic, register at the counter and pay the applicable foreigner fee, bringing your passport or Green IC. For emergencies, go directly to RIPAS Hospital's emergency department in Bandar Seri Begawan or call 991 for an ambulance.

Insurance: Because non-citizen public fees are higher and private care and any Singapore evacuation can be expensive, private health insurance is strongly advised and is frequently provided by employers as part of the package. Confirm exactly what your policy covers, including private clinics, dependants and medical evacuation, before you need it.

• Dress modestly, especially women; cover shoulders and knees, and be more conservative near mosques and government offices.
• During Ramadan, do not eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours, whether or not you are Muslim, and expect adjusted business hours.
• Use your right hand for giving, receiving, eating and pointing; the left hand is considered unclean, and point with your thumb rather than a finger.
• Never point the sole of your foot at people, avoid touching anyone's head, and remove your shoes before entering homes and mosques.
• Show respect for the Sultan and the royal family at all times; criticism of the monarchy is not tolerated.
• Greet people politely and let a local lead on handshakes; many observant Muslims of the opposite sex prefer a nod or a hand over the heart to physical contact.
• Accept and offer food or drink graciously when hosted, and dress and behave with extra care when invited to a Bruneian home.

• Public consumption or sale of alcohol is illegal, and drug offences carry extremely severe penalties, including the death penalty.
• Sharia law applies alongside civil law; behaviour that is legal elsewhere, including some relationships and public displays of affection, can be an offence here.
• Fridays reshape the week: many businesses close around midday prayers (roughly noon to 2pm), so plan errands and appointments around prayer times.
• Photography of military sites, some government buildings and people without consent can cause problems; ask before you shoot.
• Importing anything beyond your permitted personal alcohol quota, or bringing in restricted items, can lead to serious trouble at customs, so declare honestly.