Moving to Thailand in 2026

Moving to Thailand: entry, first 30 days, 3-month budget

1. Before the trip. Choose a visa and apply online: 30 days visa-free is only enough for a trip, while living requires a long-term visa.
2. First days. Rent a condominium flat with a contract: the landlord must report your address to immigration within 24 hours.
3. Weeks 2-3. A SIM card, health insurance and a Thai bank account if your visa allows it.
4. Every 90 days. An address notification to immigration, which can be filed online.

The money in the account for the remote work visa is not spent, but it must be shown when applying. Rent is higher in Phuket and lower in Chiang Mai. We calculate the family budget in the chat. Baht converted at the rate on 6 October 2026, about 33.7 baht to the dollar.

Thailand in brief

Thailand is a Southeast Asian country of about 70 million people; the capital, Bangkok, is one of the region's largest cities. A warm climate, the sea, developed private healthcare, cheap food and easy flights across Asia have made Thailand a leading destination for remote workers, retirees and families. The currency is the baht, about 33.7 baht per dollar on 05.10.2026.

Citizenship is almost unavailable to foreigners and land purchase is closed, but there are several long-term visas, from a five-year remote work visa to 5-20 year cards for a one-time fee.

How to move in 2026

Citizens of many countries enter visa-free for short trips. None of the visas lead to citizenship, and most do not allow work for Thai companies.

Rules for specific nationalities

The visa-free period in Thailand depends on the passport.

• Russia. Russian citizens enter Thailand visa-free for short trips.

Permanent residence and citizenship

Permanent residence is granted under a small annual quota after several years of work or marriage, and citizenship after that and with Thai language. In practice foreigners live for years on renewable long-term visas without moving to permanent status.

Taxes

You become tax resident after 180 days a year. Money earned before 2024 can be brought in tax-free. See Thailand taxes.

Property

Foreigners cannot own land but can buy a condominium flat if foreign ownership in the building does not exceed 49%. Houses and villas are usually held through long-term land leases or a Thai company with a lawyer, and such structures need care. The most popular places are Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Samui.

Business and accounts

A foreigner can own most companies up to 49%, with exceptions granted through the investment board for priority sectors. A bank account is opened with a long-term visa and proof of address; banks' rules differ. We help with company registration and personal accounts.

Cost of living

Imported food, international schools and private insurance are expensive, while local cafés and transport are cheap.

Family: schools and healthcare

Thailand has more than a hundred international schools, mostly in Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai, costing about $8,000-30,000 a year. Private hospitals are among the best in Asia and draw patients from abroad, but treatment without insurance is expensive, so insurance is arranged straight away.

Practicalities

• every 90 days of stay you must report your address to immigration, which can be done online;
• the landlord registers a foreign tenant with immigration;
• funds required for the visa are kept in a bank and checked on renewal;
• the tax on remitted foreign income makes it necessary to separate pre-2024 savings from new income.

Where to live

Bangkok is chosen for work, international schools and hospitals, Phuket and Samui for the sea and family life by the beach, Chiang Mai for a cooler climate, mountains and low prices, and Pattaya for proximity to the capital and the sea. See the city guides for Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Pattaya.

Pros and cons of moving

Pros: a warm climate and sea all year, inexpensive food and transport, good private hospitals, a 5-year remote work visa and a retirement visa with clear conditions. Cons: since 15 September 2026 the visa-free stay is only 30 days, no visa leads to citizenship, most visas do not allow work for Thai companies, foreigners cannot buy land, foreign income is taxed when brought in, and the rainy and haze seasons make life hard in some cities.

Moving with pets

Bringing a dog or cat requires a microchip, a rabies vaccination given in advance, a veterinary certificate and an import permit from the livestock department, obtained before the trip. Airlines accept animals in the cabin and hold under their own rules, so choose a flight after checking the conditions. Many condominiums do not allow pets, so check this before signing a lease.

Who Thailand suits

Remote workers, retirees and families who want a warm climate, strong healthcare, international schools and low costs, and those willing to pay for a hassle-free long-term visa. It suits less those seeking a path to citizenship, the freedom to work or the right to buy land.

Moving to other countries

We have the same moving guides for other countries: the UAE, Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Portugal.

For this country: Thai long-term visa, remote work visa, taxes in Thailand, Bangkok guide, property in Thailand.