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More and more people not only want to vacation in Thailand, but also emigrate to the country. Sun, palm trees, the sea, and all of that for little, comparatively little money are among the motivators. But how do you emigrate to Thailand, how much money do you really need, and what is life actually like on the ground?
In this comprehensive guide, we answer everything related to moving to Thailand, including the most frequently asked questions about it.
Reasons
The reasons for emigrating to Thailand are diverse. Below is an overview of the most frequently mentioned reasons that motivate people to emigrate to the Southeast Asian country.
Climate & Sun
Thailand has a tropical climate and is warm all year round. Many appreciate the warmth and high number of sunny days not only on vacation, but also want to enjoy this long-term. Depending on the region, it is a bit warmer, but snow and frost are generally never seen in Thailand.
Nature
Besides the climate, nature—above all the beaches—is a major draw that attracts many people to Thailand. Islands such as Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao, in particular, boast stunningly beautiful sandy beaches surrounded by palm trees. However, the mountains and the jungle are also pleasant and provide a nice change of pace.
Kindness
The Land of Smiles does not have its name for no reason. Thai people often have a positive disposition and are rarely in a bad mood. Baseless sullenness, such as one presumably knows from cities like Hamburg, Berlin, or even Vienna, does not exist here. Thais are generally very friendly and have a noticeably higher zest for life.
Safety
Another major factor, which is unfortunately getting worse and worse in European cities, is safety. Thailand is a largely safe country. Everyday crime such as muggings or theft is rather rare. Violence and abuse also hardly ever occur, and as a woman, you can walk through Bangkok and other larger cities at night as well.
Only minor tourist traps and rip-offs are present.
Cost of living
An obvious aspect is, of course, the cost of living, which is much lower than in Germany. Expats report that with less than €2,000, they can achieve a very high quality of life in some cases. In many Central European countries, this barely covers fixed costs, and luxuries like massages, dining out, and other amenities are not part of the routine. More on that in detail later.
Taxes
The Tax system in Thailand It is not quite that simple, and there have been many changes in recent years, especially for expats.
In general, a person is only considered a tax resident in Thailand if they spend more than 180 days per calendar year in the country. The visa alone is not a tax certificate and does not lead to tax liability on its own.
Furthermore, taxes are only payable on income that originates in Thailand or is remitted to Thailand. Specifically, this is known as remittance-based taxation. Therefore, only money that is transferred to Thailand must be taxed.
However, business owners such as US LLC owners must be careful: if these are effectively managed from Thailand, the tax office can argue that the actual registered office of the business is in Thailand and taxes must be paid here as well.
Disadvantages
Thailand is not a perfect country and, just like other countries, has its disadvantages. One should be aware of these before emigrating to Thailand.
Language
Thai is one of the hardest languages in the world, and mastering it in both writing and speaking is almost a lifelong endeavor. Compared to Spanish or Italian, which use a Latin alphabet, Thai is a long-term challenge.
However, many young people speak English, which makes communication easier.
Heat and humidity
The extreme heat and humidity in the summer months are a strain for many and cannot be compared to summer in Europe. Especially from June to November, large parts of Thailand experience the rainy season, which means that humidity is high and there are short but intense rains daily.
Distance
Compared to other expat destinations like Spain, Cyprus, or the UAE, Thailand is relatively far away. Flights to Bangkok from most European airports typically take just under 10 hours. Visits home or with family therefore require better planning and are generally not possible spontaneously. In addition, you have to expect jet lag due to the 6-hour time difference.
Prerequisite: Visa
Unlike in the EU for EU citizens, there is no freedom of establishment in Thailand. You have to apply for a residence visa. There are several options for this, depending on which requirements you can meet.
DTV – Destination Thailand Visa
One of the most popular visas is currently the Destination Thailand Visa. This is currently limited to 5 years and allows a stay in Thailand. You just have to leave and re-enter every 180 days (classic visa run) to maintain it.
The primary requirement of this visa is proof of 500,000 THB, which corresponds to approximately €12,500 to €13,500. Authorities usually require bank statements from recent months that can prove this amount.
In addition, a DTV purpose must be specified. For example, remote work with proof of employment for freelancers or an employment contract.
The actual fee for this is 10,000 THB, which is equivalent to less than €300.
Caution: The DTV is not a work permit for local activities. You need a separate work permit for that. It is solely for working for companies and clients outside of Thailand.
LTR – Longterm Resident Visa
The Long-Term Resident Visa in Thailand is a 10-year premium option. Anyone who meets the quite high requirements for it can live in Thailand for 5 years and then extend it for another 5 years.
For the visa, you can choose from 4 categories:
- Wealthy Global Citizen The requirement for this is a global wealth of at least USD 1,000,000, with at least USD 500,000 of that invested in Thailand (company, government bonds, or real estate). In addition, health insurance with coverage of USD 50,000 must be in place, or Thai social security. Alternatively, a security deposit of USD 100,000 can be made.
- Wealthy Pensioner For all retirees aged 50 and over with a passive income of USD 80,000, or, if lower, a Thai investment of USD 250,000.
- Work-from-Thailand Professional It is similar to a remote work visa and requires working for a foreign company and being able to prove at least $80,000 in income over 2 years. However, the company must either be publicly traded or have generated at least $50 million in revenue in recent years.
- Highly Skilled Professional Skilled workers who work for domestic or foreign companies and earn at least 80,000 USD. Higher qualifications are required for those with lower incomes. Thailand also offers a 17 % flat tax on income.
The fee for the application is 50,000 THB, which is equivalent to around €1,320.
Source: https://ltr.boi.go.th/
Moving to Thailand: The Process
Below is a step-by-step guide to emigrating to Thailand.
Apply for a visa
The first step is to fulfill the requirements for the desired visa and then apply for it. Only once you have a visa should you plan the remaining steps in detail. Usually this can be done online or via the Embassy of Thailand in the respective country.
International health insurance
Afterwards, you should take out international health insurance. Because even if you will spend most of your time in Thailand, you should also be insured for any vacations or visits back home. International insurance providers include:
- Fine
- Passport Card
- Foyer
- April
Log out
The next step is deregistering in the home country. It is important here to deregister not only with the registration office, but also with the tax office and other authorities. This also goes hand in hand with the actual abandonment of the residence (surrender of keys) and verifiable departure within 30 days (German law).
Entry
Subsequent entry takes place with the applied-for visa, which must be presented at passport control.
Place of residence
Initially, it is recommended to look at several areas and compare them with each other. For this purpose, it is worthwhile to book Airbnb or hotels via booking.com and use the first weeks to compare different places with each other. Life in Bangkok is completely different than on Koh Samui or Chiang Mai.
Costs
The costs for a complete relocation to Thailand are variable and depend primarily on which visa is applied for and whether a moving company is hired. The total costs range from a few hundred euros to several thousand euros.
Cost of living
The cost of living in Thailand is significantly lower than in Central Europe, and that in pretty much all areas. Below is an overview of costs that occur monthly in various categories
Standard (under €2,000 per month)
Anyone who wants to lead a normal life in Thailand and also watches their money a bit will definitely need less than €2,000 per month. The following costs arise for an active lifestyle with leisure and a normal living situation.
- 1 BDR Apartment in good location 750 €
- Groceries and food €750
- Transport €150
- Leisure €150
- Insurance starting from €100
High standard of living (€3,500 per month)
If you want a high standard of living with a larger apartment or house, you have to spend a bit more. Especially in the real estate sector, location, size, and also amenities are crucial, as always.
- 1-2 BR Apartment or House €1,500
- Groceries and food €1,250
- Transport €150
- Leisure €250
- Insurance starting from €100
Luxury (starting at €5,000 per month)
Luxury exists in Thailand just like in any other country. There are hardly any limits here, but generally, starting from 5,000 € you can already maintain a very luxurious life or standard of living.
- Luxury villa near the beach or with a sea view, or penthouse in Bangkok 2,500 €
- Food and Dining 1,500 €
- Transport 250 €
- Leisure €250
- Insurance starting from €100
Experiences
Most expats in Thailand have generally positive experiences, provided they are well-prepared and adapt to the culture. It’s also important to realize that Thailand is definitely not for everyone.
Summary
Emigrating to Thailand can bring many advantages and be a nice change from the gray everyday routine. The tropical weather, lots of sunshine, friendly people, and low cost of living are definitely aspects that speak in favor of Thailand. Digital nomads, remote workers, retirees, and affluent individuals in particular benefit from attractive visa options in Thailand.
However, anyone who emigrates and tries to find a job on site or start a business will have a hard time, because entering the local labor market and economy is tough for many foreigners. Above all, the wage level in Thailand is very low.
