Thailand remains one of the world's most popular expat destinations, offering warm weather, affordable living, world-class cuisine and welcoming visa options for retirees, remote workers and families.
Última atualização : March 2026 — Equipe editorial, eVisa-Card.com
| Capital | Bangkok |
| Currency | Thai Baht (THB) |
| Language | Thai |
| Monthly cost | ~$800–1,500/month |
| Visa Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Retirement Visa (Non-OA) | For expats 50+. Requires proof of 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account OR 65,000 THB/month income. Valid 1 year, renewable. Allows multiple entries. |
| LTR Visa (Long-Term Resident) | For remote workers earning $80,000+/year. Valid 10 years. Allows working for overseas employers without a Thai work permit. Fast-track immigration. |
| Thailand Elite Visa | Membership programme (500,000–2,000,000 THB). 5–20 year stay, VIP airport service. No income requirement. Purely residence-based. |
| Non-Immigrant B (Business) | Required if working for a Thai company. Must be accompanied by a Thai Work Permit. Annual renewal. |
| Tourist Visa / Visa Exempt | 60 days (Tourist) or 30 days (visa-exempt). Can extend once at immigration. Many expats use border runs — now strictly monitored. |
Thailand's public healthcare system (30-Baht Scheme) is available to Thai nationals and permanent residents only. As a non-resident expat, you cannot access public healthcare at subsidised rates.
Private hospitals in Thailand (Bangkok Hospital, Bumrungrad, Samitivej) are world-class and significantly cheaper than Western equivalents. A consultation costs 500–1,500 THB (~$14–42). Major surgery is 60–80% cheaper than in the US or Europe.
| Service | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| GP consultation (private) | 500–1,200 THB (~$14–34) |
| Specialist consultation | 1,200–3,000 THB (~$34–85) |
| Emergency room visit | 2,000–8,000 THB (~$57–228) |
| Hospitalisation (per night) | 5,000–25,000 THB (~$143–714) |
| Dental cleaning | 800–1,500 THB (~$23–43) |
| Eye exam + glasses | 2,000–5,000 THB (~$57–143) |
International health insurance is mandatory for retirement and LTR visas. Even on other visas, it is strongly recommended. Thai private hospitals can be expensive for major procedures, and repatriation costs without insurance can exceed $50,000.
A Thai bank account is practically essential for expats — it's required for the retirement visa deposit (800,000 THB), utility payments, rent transfers and daily transactions.
Foreigners cannot own land in Thailand, but they can own condominium units freehold (up to 49% of a building's total floor area may be foreign-owned). Houses and land must be held through a Thai company, a 30-year leasehold or a Thai spouse.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Transfer fee | 2% of the appraised value (split buyer/seller) |
| Stamp duty or specific business tax | 0.5% stamp duty OR 3.3% SBT if sold within 5 years |
| Withholding tax | 1–3% (paid by seller) |
| Lawyer fees | 30,000–80,000 THB |
| Agent commission | 3–5% (paid by seller) |
This guide is researched and maintained by the editorial team at eVisa-Card.com. Última atualização : March 2026. We strive to keep all information current but visa rules, healthcare costs and property regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with official government sources and consult a licensed professional before making major decisions.
Editorial Team — eVisa-Card.com
Expat guides written by travel experts, immigration specialists and expats with first-hand experience in Thailand.
✔ Verified information ✔ Updated March 2026 ✔ Official sources cited