Between idyllic beaches, a tropical climate, and an affordable cost of living, Thailand has become a top destination for retirees from around the world. Whether you dream of settling in a lively city, deep in the countryside, or enjoying the peace of a paradise island, this country offers a wide range of options.

The Land of Smiles promises a warm welcome, cultural discoveries, and gentle adventures.
If this destination interests you, discover throughout this article the key information to consider before moving to Thailand, our tips, and also our favorite provinces to retire in.

Why choose Thailand?,
our tips and key information,
the best destinations.

Why choose Thailand?

Thailand is a destination often appreciated for tropical holidays, but also for retirement under the sun. The advantages are numerous:

Climate,
living environment,
cost of living,
quality of medical care.

Climate

If you’re looking to enjoy your golden years in an exotic setting, far from Europe’s grey skies, Southeast Asia is for you. Specifically, Thailand offers a tropical climate, with sunny weather and temperatures ranging from 25 to 35 degrees all year round.

Of course, tropical climate also means rainy season. For a few months of the year, you’ll experience regular, but warm, showers. Luckily, the sun is never far and appears between each rainfall.

Living environment

From paradise beaches to tropical forests and jungles, and the towering mountains of Chiang Mai, you will find a great variety of landscapes. Alongside this comes a wide range of activities: hiking, snorkeling, cultural encounters, unique wildlife discoveries, and many more adventures.

You will enjoy low-cost domestic flights and other internal transfers to explore all of Thailand, such as the remote region of Phatthalung or the island of Koh Chang. Proximity to other countries like Vietnam, Sri Lanka, or Malaysia will also allow you to broaden your Asian experiences and discover the richness of different cultures.

Cost of living

Another major advantage of Thailand is its very affordable cost of living. Prices are on average two to three times lower than in Europe, allowing expats to enjoy a high quality of life.

For example: you can eat a delicious Pad Thai for €1.50, enjoy a cocktail for €5, or a good Italian pasta dish for €9.

Of course, your expenses will depend on your lifestyle and the province you live in. However, we recommend a minimum budget of €1,000 per month:

Rent: €350 minimum,
electricity: €40,
water: €10,
phone: €10,
fiber Internet: €10,
scooter rental & fuel: €120,
groceries: €150 minimum,
outings and other expenses: €350 minimum.

Quality of medical care

As a global leader in medical tourism, Thailand has high-quality medical infrastructures, guaranteeing good care at costs well below those in Western countries. This is especially true for dental and aesthetic clinics.

For hospital care, we recommend international hospitals such as Bangkok Hospital. The staff speaks perfect English, and care is high-quality and very fast. However, be aware that prices can be high, which a health insurance plan will cover perfectly.

Our tips and key information

Choosing your visa,
becoming a property owner,
getting health insurance,
taxes and income.

Choosing your visa

The visa is a key factor when choosing your retirement destination. Good news: the Thai government is doing everything to facilitate the arrival of European retirees on its most beautiful beaches.

There are several visas specifically for retirement, both with fairly simple procedures. In both cases, a financial condition and health insurance are required.

Non-Immigrant Visa OA

To retire in Thailand, you will need a non-immigrant visa, preferably obtained before your arrival. The OA visa is the most common option.

It does not allow you to work, but grants multiple entries, meaning you can enter and leave the country without issue during the visa’s validity period. It is valid for one year and renewable indefinitely.

Conditions:

Be over 50 years old,
hold a passport valid for at least one more year,
have health insurance covering 3 million baht (about €75,000), valid for a year from entry into Thailand,
have a monthly income of at least €2,000, or an official bank statement of at least €24,000 in a non-blocked account (or €48,000 for a joint account).

After submitting the required documents and paying the €175 fee, count about five weeks to receive your visa and finally enjoy the Thai sunshine.

Non-Immigrant Visa OX

The OX visa is similar to the OA visa but has stricter conditions. Only 14 nationalities are eligible, including French, Germany, Italy or the United Kingdom. A key difference: it is valid for five years and renewable only once. It also allows multiple entries. Application fee: €350.

Conditions:

Be over 50 years old,
hold a passport valid for at least 18 months,
have Thai health insurance covering a minimum of 40,000 baht (€1,000) for medical costs and 400,000 baht (€10,000) for hospital stays.

Financial requirements:

For the financial requirements, things get a bit more complicated. You must have a Thai bank account with a credit balance of 3 milion baht (approximately €76,000). To meet this requirement, there are two options :

Hold the full 3 million baht for at least one year before applying,
hold 1.8 million baht (€46,000) for at least one year and have an annual income of at least 1.2 million baht (€30,000).

In both cases, after one year, the 3 million baht must remain in the account for another year before withdrawal. The following year, the account balance must be at least 1.5 million baht (€38,000).

This visa can also be extended to your spouse (regardless of age) with a marriage certificate, and to children under 20.

Becoming a property owner

If your retirement in Thailand is a long-term project, you may want to buy your own apartment or villa. Good news: your dream is possible, even as a foreigner.

Main reason to invest: attractive prices. Of course, costs vary by province. In Bangkok, for example, you can find a nice one-bedroom apartment in a clean, well-located condominium starting at €50,000.

Condominium

What is a condominium? Like a residence, these co-owned buildings have shared areas: parking, pool, gym, and often security guards and cameras.

These units can be owned outright by foreigners, provided 51% of the entire building is owned by Thai nationals. The remaining 49% can be sold to foreigners.

House & Villa

For the purchase of a house, the situation is a bit more complex. Thai authorities do not allow the sale of the land, but only its lease, which blocks full ownership. In a few words, you can own a house, but not the land it stands on.

However, it is possible to acquire usage rights of the land through a long-term lease contract. The maximum lease is 30 years, renewable up to twice, thus allowing you to enjoy the land for a maximum period of 90 years.

You also have the option of acquiring land through a Thai company, whose majority shareholder must be Thai. If you are considering this option, it is advisable to consult a specialized lawyer and to create your company with a real partner who genuinely contributes to the capital.

Important Information

In both cases, these purchases are registered with the land registry, ensuring the security and legality of the transactions. Note that inheritance laws are generally similar to those in France, with a few exceptions concerning Thai companies.
Here are some of our tips to help the transaction go smoothly :

Watch out for scams. Prefer legal entities over individuals.
Compare prices and request independent appraisals.
Have the property inspected for structural issues.
Send all documents to a Thai lawyer for verification.
Avoid shady legal loopholes.
Check inheritance rules.
If staying only a few months per year, consider using a local agency to maintain or rent out your property.

Not ready to buy yet? Renting is of course possible. A two-bedroom condo apartment costs about €600/month in Pattaya, €700 in Hua Hin, and €800 in Phuket. Real estate agents are available to help at no cost, as fees are paid by landlords and sellers.

Getting health insurance

Whether visiting Thailand as a tourist or expat, we strongly recommend getting health insurance. For retirement stays, it is mandatory to obtain the visa. If you want to learn more about travel insurance, check our article: Our health tips for traveling peacefully in Thailand.

For the OA visa, you can subscribe to international insurance. For the OX visa, as mentioned earlier, you must subscribe to Thai insurance. One of the options includes Axa.

The best destinations

Ready to retire under Thai coconut trees? Choosing where to live is the next important step. Here are our favorite provinces for a peaceful yet active retirement:

Hua Hin,
Phuket,
Pattaya.

Hua Hin

Hua Hin is one of the calmest and least touristy destinations in Thailand. It’s known for hosting many retirees who enjoy the spas, the beach, and the surrounding nature.

If you want to stay active and join various associations, know that Hua Hin has a well-established international expat community. You’ll find clubs and groups offering lots of activities.

This province also offers a wide variety of things to do: world-class golf clubs, snorkeling, night markets, quiet beaches, cave exploration, and more. Don’t miss our favorites: Cicada Market and Baan Sillapin Artists Village.

Compared to more touristy Phuket, Hua Hin has a much lower cost of living. However, nightlife is quieter and the lifestyle is more Thai than European. Its two big strengths: its authentic feel due to low tourism and its proximity to Bangkok, just 3 hours by car.

In short, if you love beachfront seafood restaurants and fresh morning markets, Hua Hin is the destination for you. For a livelier lifestyle, opt for Phuket or Pattaya.

Phuket

If you want to live on a big island, Phuket will suit you better. Located in southern Thailand with its own international airport, this island makes traveling across Thailand and Asia very easy.

Phuket is very developed and large. It takes about 1.5 hours to drive from the south to the north of the island. It offers many beaches, our favorites are Nai Harn and Nai Thon, as well as forests and waterfalls, a Big Buddha with a lovely viewpoint over Kata, and a stunning Old Town district.

Its proximity to other islands is a major advantage if you want to explore the area: Koh Yao Yai, Koh Ngai, or the famous Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta, all just an hour or so away by boat.

Scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, golf, shopping malls, European restaurants, you’ll find everything here. Don’t miss a Phuket must-do: the Sunday Night Market in Old Town for street food and vibrant crowds.

Highlights: lively atmosphere and high development. You’ll find everything you need in Phuket. But keep in mind: cost of living is higher than in Hua Hin or Pattaya. It’s a very touristy area, and prices can rise significantly in high season.

Pattaya

Located two hours from Bangkok, Pattaya is also a well-known expat destination. On the Gulf of Thailand, it offers many sports: golf, tennis, swimming, gyms, fishing, yoga, walking, sailing, and diving.

Pattaya is perfect if you enjoy having a drink on a terrace. It’s famous for its bars, clubs, and nightlife. Its strengths: it’s an affordable seaside city with housing options for all budgets. However, it is often very busy with travelers, and its intense nightlife may not suit everyone. Its advantages : it's an affordable city with a pleasant seaside lifestyle and offers housing options for all budgets. However, it is often very busy with travelers, and its vibrant nightlife may not suit everyone.

Thus, Hua Hin is ideal for a peaceful retirement while maintaining regular social connections. Phuket is perfect for those looking for a variety of activities, stunning landscapes, and especially European-style comfort thanks to its advanced development. Finally, Pattaya suits those who want a very dynamic yet affordable destination, and above all, one that is close to Bangkok.

Did the information in this guide appeal to you? Don’t hesitate, come to Thailand, try out a few destinations, and choose the one that suits you best.