Life in Thailand: Visas, Housing and Everyday Tasks for Relocating

Living in Thailand requires an appropriate basis for staying, a budget that fits your habits, and a plan for everyday tasks. Start with the purpose of your move and a financial plan, then choose a neighbourhood, housing and payment methods. Also plan for connectivity, medical care and children’s education if you are moving as a family.

This guide is a directory of topic-specific resources for expats, people relocating and long-term travellers. Use it to understand the sequence of steps, then follow the link in each section for details about a specific task. Visa validity, the permitted stay after entry and tax residency are different concepts; check each separately.

Current as of publication. Visa, tax and banking terms may change. Check the requirements of the institution you choose before submitting documents. This material helps you prepare for a move and draft questions for specialists; individual legal, tax and medical decisions require separate consideration.

How much money do you need to move and live day to day?

There is no single cost for moving: expenses depend on housing, family size, food, transport and medical needs. For your estimate, separate initial payments, a regular budget and a reserve. List separately the funds you will use to demonstrate your financial position for a visa application.

The account balance for a visa application is not the same as the visa fee. Account for the housing deposit separately too: read the refund terms and possible deductions in advance.

Keep the emergency reserve as a separate budget line so it is not quietly spent on ordinary expenses. Record actual spending and compare the same set of expenses when choosing an area. For a more detailed breakdown of categories, see the cost of living in Thailand.

How to choose a city and neighbourhood for a long-term stay

Choose an area for an ordinary workday: commuting, shopping, school, medical care and home internet. A good view is not enough. First list the conditions you need, then check specific addresses.

The table below lists questions for comparing locations. The answers depend on the housing, routes and length of stay you choose.

Walk or drive your main routes before signing a long-term contract. Check the apartment at the times when you plan to work and rest: noise, lighting and connectivity may affect your choice.

If you are moving as a family, first match the accommodation with a suitable school and an available place. If you work remotely, add video-call conditions and backup internet to your checklist. This way, your long-term stay in Thailand will be based on your needs, not someone else’s ranking of cities.

Visas for a long-term stay: DTV terms and where to apply

Choose your basis for staying according to your purpose: remote work, local employment, study, family or retirement. For eligible applicants, the DTV provides a long validity period and multiple entries. A visa’s validity does not mean you have permission to live in the country continuously for that entire period.

According to the Royal Thai Embassy in Helsinki and the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs guidance:

The base fee in the Thai MFA’s general guidance is THB 10,000. Embassies publish their own fees in the currency of payment; the amounts below are not conversions of this fee.

Washington requirements are published on the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington’s DTV page. The London embassy also asks for proof of permanent residence; this requirement is specific to that place of application.

The difference is clear in the bank documents: Helsinki asks for a recent statement, while Washington asks for statements covering the last three months. The same account balance does not make the document sets identical. Before paying and applying, check the current fee and document list of the embassy you have chosen.

Compare other grounds through the guide to visas in Thailand. Choose a route that matches your planned activities; do not treat a DTV as automatic permission to do any kind of work or business.

Housing in Thailand: Renting, Buying and Utility Bills

Renting and buying serve different needs. To get to know an area, it can help to choose temporary accommodation first and view long-term options. Compare condos—apartments in condominium buildings with shared property—as well as houses, townhouses and villas by their contract terms and maintenance requirements.

Before paying, check:

• the landlord’s or representative’s authority;
• the condition of the accommodation, furniture and appliances;
• meter readings and applicable rates;
• the breakdown of payments and their recipients;
• deposit refunds and grounds for deductions;
• early termination and the handover process.

Record the property’s condition and the agreed terms in writing. For more on the contract and everyday issues, see the guide Renting a Home in Thailand.

When buying an apartment the foreign quota is limited to 49% of the total floor area of the condominium’s apartments, not their number or the floor area of the entire building (Thai government portal). The official document list includes proof that foreign currency was brought into Thailand; whether this document applies depends on the basis for purchase. Review the rights to the apartment, land and building separately; there is no universal company-based arrangement.

Before the transaction, agree on the property checks, buyer documents, payment process and registration of the ownership transfer. Include taxes and registration fees in the estimate, and clarify how the parties will split the payments. A useful starting point is buying property in Thailand.

Utility costs, common-area maintenance and reserve-fund contributions should be kept separate from rent or the purchase price. The specific contract determines who receives the bills and whom the resident pays; agree on this for a private house too.

Check the legality of short-term accommodation separately. A government announcement describes a proposed accommodation bill, and the proposal does not confirm that the reform has taken effect or that existing restrictions have been repealed (Thailand Public Relations Department).

Banks and payments: documents, accounts and payment methods

Start preparing documents with the bank you have chosen and your basis for staying. The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) list calls for documents related to the purpose of entry, including a work permit for people working in Thailand. This is an example of preparation, not a standard package required by every bank.

Bangkok Bank’s savings-account page lists an initial deposit of THB 500. The bank directs foreign applicants to contact a branch directly. Confirm current product terms and document requirements before applying: a deposit does not guarantee that the account will be opened.

Prepare these questions before contacting the bank:

• Which documents are required for your status?
• What formats of supporting documents are accepted?
• Which services are included in the product you selected?
• What are the service terms and available transactions?

Do not assume that a rental agreement or work permit is a universally sufficient set of documents. A separate bank account for a foreigner may be useful when moving, but opening one is subject to the bank’s own decision.

Agree with the recipients on how to pay for housing and utilities before moving in. Record the account details, due dates and how payment will be confirmed; discuss a backup option. Not having a Thai bank account does not by itself mean you cannot pay utility bills.

Tax residency and overseas income

A person is considered a tax resident if they have spent a total of 180 days or more in Thailand during a tax year. The threshold day itself is included: saying “more than 180 days” would change the rule’s meaning. This wording appears in the Revenue Code on the Thai Revenue Department website.

Tax residency and tax on specific income need to be considered separately. The Revenue Department’s guidance on foreign tax credits raises distinct questions: when foreign income is received and when it is transferred to Thailand, starting from January 1, 2024. These questions do not mean that every transfer of savings is automatically taxable.

For a discussion with an adviser, gather:

• information about where the money came from;
• the dates income was received and money was transferred;
• records of time spent in the country;
• proof of tax already paid.

Do not rely only on the total amount paid into an account. Prepare a transaction history and documents that help distinguish income from other funds. A visa and its validity period do not replace a calculation of days spent in the country.

Connectivity, internet and organising your work

Check connectivity at the apartment address. Before signing a contract, find out whether home internet can be installed, what installation involves, how equipment is paid for and how to cancel the service. Assess mobile internet where you will work and make calls.

For your workspace, check:

• connection quality in the rooms you need;
• whether you can make video calls;
• noise and lighting;
• where a desk and power outlets can be placed;
• a backup connection if the main one fails.

The advertised plan speed is not enough to judge a workday. Check the tasks you do regularly: uploading files, talking with colleagues and accessing work services. To compare options, see the guide Mobile Service and Internet in Thailand.

Remote work, employment by a local company and running a business are different situations. Include a check of permitted activities under your chosen status in your relocation planning. A convenient workspace solves a practical problem; the legal basis for working needs separate consideration.

Medical care, insurance and moving with children

Plan for medical care before moving in: identify a suitable clinic, how to get there and how to contact your insurer. Compare a policy with your long-stay situation. A product name alone does not explain its coverage.

Ask the insurer:

• Is the policy suitable for the stay I am planning?
• How are chronic conditions handled?
• Are outpatient care and hospitalisation included?
• What exclusions and out-of-pocket payments apply?
• How should I arrange a claim and get assistance?

Keep your policy terms and assistance contacts somewhere easy to find. This checklist can help you choose insurance; discuss treatment decisions with a medical professional.

For a child, check whether there is a place at a school or kindergarten, the language of instruction and admission terms. Request a complete estimate covering tuition, meals, materials, transport and other fees. Travel the route from your planned home at the time you would normally need it.

Match the school choice to your budget and neighbourhood before signing a long-term lease. Separately list the documents for your child and the basis for each family member’s stay: school admission and visa matters require their own preparation.

Seasonality and climate: what to consider when choosing housing

Climate affects commuting, working from home and housing costs. Assess the area during the period when you plan to live there, and check the apartment’s ventilation, air-conditioning and condition. A view from the window is no substitute for these checks.

During a viewing, ask:

• Who maintains the air conditioner?
• How is electricity billed?
• Is transport accessible during the rainy season?
• How can you assess air quality?

The cool season in the north calls for separate preparation of your home and daily routine. Read more about winter in northern Thailand. There is no universal need to move to another region; it depends on the season, the apartment and your needs.

Legal support: when to hire an independent specialist

An independent specialist can be especially useful when buying property, registering a company or dealing with a complex visa issue. Decide in advance exactly what you are asking them to do: check documents, review a contract, assist with an application or transaction. Discuss their professional qualifications and fees.

For a purchase, agree on:

• checks of the property and documents;
• the authority of the seller and representatives;
• payment and transfer terms;
• taxes and registration fees;
• the scope of assistance and the work product.

The specialist should understand your goals and explain the consequences of contract terms in plain language. Discuss independence from the seller and any possible conflict of interest separately. For more on what support involves, see the guide Legal Help When Buying Property.

Do not sign terms you do not understand on the assumption that you can work them out later. It is better to agree in writing on the checks, fees and work product.

Where to start: entry, moving in and an everyday checklist

It is easier to organise a move to Thailand in sequence: basis for staying, entry preparations, temporary accommodation, then longer-term practical arrangements. This leaves time to view neighbourhoods before taking on rental commitments. Here is a suggested sequence.

1. Choose your basis for staying. Match the purpose of your trip to a visa route, the requirements of the place of application and your planned activities.
2. Complete the digital arrival card (TDAC). The form was introduced for foreign nationals entering Thailand from May 1, 2025 and is free (Royal Thai Embassy in London). The official instructions say to complete it online before entry, within the three days before your arrival date.
3. Move into temporary accommodation. View neighbourhoods and long-term options, and check routes, connectivity and the apartment’s condition.
4. Arrange address reporting. The notification of a foreign national’s place of residence (TM.30 form) must be filed by the host—the owner, person responsible for the accommodation or hotel manager—within 24 hours after your arrival. Agree with the owner or manager who will file it and what proof you will receive. Check separately whether a new filing applies after a return or a change of accommodation.
5. Prepare bank documents. Get the document list for your status and agree on available payment methods before deciding about an account.
6. Arrange utility payments and connectivity. Record meter readings, rates, payment recipients and the terms for setting up internet.
7. Track your spending. Record rent, utilities, food, transport and medical care to refine your own budget.

After entry, set up a calendar for follow-up tasks. Record your entry date, permitted stay and any applicable extension and reporting procedures; track days for tax status separately. Address reporting, stay extensions and tax calculations serve different purposes and do not replace one another.

If you stay in the country for more than 90 consecutive days, the law requires you to report your residential address to immigration every 90 days. For how to file this notification and by when, see the guide The 90-Day Report in Thailand.