Guide
Moving to Thailand? Your Complete Property Guide
From visa options to finding your first home, everything newcomers need to know about housing in Thailand.
Whether you're relocating for work, retirement, or lifestyle, finding the right home in Thailand is one of your first and most important decisions. This guide covers the property landscape for newcomers.
Rent first
Unless you've lived in Thailand before, rent for at least 6 months before buying. This lets you test the neighborhood, understand the climate, and learn market prices. RTO is the ideal middle ground — you commit to a property but aren't locked into a purchase until you're ready.
Visa considerations
- Tourist visa: Cannot own property (but can rent)
- Non-B (work): Can own condo freehold
- Retirement visa (O-A): Can own condo, popular for retirees
- Thailand Elite: 5–20 year residence, can own condo
- LTR visa: Work-from-Thailand, includes property benefits
Hidden costs
- Transfer fee: 2% of appraised value (usually split 50/50)
- Specific business tax: 3.3% if seller owned < 5 years
- Stamp duty: 0.5% (if exempt from SBT)
- Common area maintenance: ฿40–80/sqm/month
- Sinking fund: One-time ฿400–600/sqm at purchase