Living in Thailand
Information aboutfor movingBritish to,people livingmoving orto retiringand living in ThailandThailand, – including visas,residency, working, healthcare and driving.
- From:
-
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office - Published
- 14 January 2014
- Last updated
-
27
7November 20252024— See all updates
Getting
This helpguide withsets livingout inessential Thailand
Helpinformation fromfor theBritish Thaipeople government
For any questions about moving to or living in Thailand,Thailand. youRead mayabout behow ablethe toBritish getEmbassy helpBangkok fromcan the:help.
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asImmigrationaBureauguide(inonly.Thai)
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Professional
YouSupport helpfor inBritish Thailand
nationals canabroadsets getout helphow fromBritish English-speakingnationals professionalscan instay Thailand,safe including:
- lawyers
- translators
- funeral
abroaddirectors
Helpand fromhow the UKFCDO government
Read thegeneral travelguidance adviceon formoving Thailandor retiring abroad.
To stay up to understanddate: follow the risksBritish youEmbassy mayBangkok faceon ifFacebook, youTwitter, liveand inInstagram.
Before oryou visitgo
See Thailand.our Thistravel includesadvice thefor latestThailand informationfor on:
- visas
up-to-dateandinformationonentry requirements requirements,locallaws and culturalcustoms,differences- safety and security
ReadSee ourmoving guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get Make Check You If For If You To Thailand ToVisas helpand fromresidency
Check theentry UKrequirements governmentfor abroadThailand, including in anour emergency.travel advice.Visas,
You residencyrisk a heavy fine, possible lengthy detention (limited access to health care facilities and citizenship
space) sureand deportation if you meetoverstay theyour entryvisa. requirementsFind formore Thailandinformation beforeabout youvisa travel.overstay and deportation.Visas
Letter to support a citizenship applicationIf whichyou need a letter from the British Embassy Bangkok to support an application for Thai visacitizenship, you needcan toapply liveand inpay Thailand.for it online and the embassy will post it to you.Apply canonline getfor a visaletter to:to support a Thai citizenship applicationPassports and travel
Complete –the includingemergency oncontacts apage workingat holidaythe orback asof ayour digitalpassport. nomadThis medicalwill treatmenthelp withthe familyembassy inand Thailandlocal missionaryauthorities workknow orwho otherto religiouscontact activitiesin scientificcase researchof an emergency.
You youcan wantapply tofor extendor renew your visaBritish visitpassport from Thailand.
Check the ThaiThailand e-visatravel extensionadvice websitefor passport validity requirements.
You can apply for a new UK passport orwhile you are in Thailand. For passport advice line, contact the+44 Thai(0)300 Immigration222 Bureau0000 (inor Thai)visit https://www.gov.uk/passport-advice-line.Healthcare in Thailand
Read moreour information,Thailand readhealthcare and medical services guidance. fromGeneral the:Reporting
The yourNHS residencehas information for people moving abroad.You should buy comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you areenter stayingthe incountry. ThailandMost forThai moreinsurance thancompanies 90will days,only youprovide musthealth reportand yourmedical residencecover tofor thepeople Thaiup Immigrationto Bureauthe everyage 90of days.70.Permanent residency
If mayyou beare ableresident toin applyThailand, foryou permanentshould residencyensure inthat Thailandyou (inhave Thai)taken ifout an appropriate health insurance policy. If you meetare theworking eligibilityin criteria.Thailand, findcheck outwith your employer if you’rehealth eligibleinsurance andis howpart toof apply,your contactemployment package. You can visit the official website of Thai ImmigrationGeneral BureauInsurance (inAssociation Thai)(TGIA). for more information on insurance requirements according to your visa type.Citizenship
You doesshould notalso recognisemake dualsure citizenship.you Thisare meanscovered thatby youhealth mayinsurance havefor UK treatment, toor giveyou upwill (renounce)be yourcharged Britishby citizenshipthe NHS for toany becomecare ayou Thaireceive citizen.in the UK.Working in Thailand
If findyou outare ifplanning you’reto eligiblemove forto ThaiThailand citizenship:
and work, you may need a visa. Read the Thai government’s guidance on applyingworking forin Thai nationalityThailand
as English-speakinga lawyerforeign innational Thailandand how to get a visa.
WhenBe youaware applyof forjob citizenship,offers that appear overly extravagant or ‘too good to be true’. There is the Thaipossibility authoritiesthat maythese askturn forout ato ‘nobe objection’scams, lettereither fromin Thailand or the Britishwider EmbassySoutheast Asia region. There have been incidents where people have had their passport confiscated by scammers, have been held in Bangkok.poor Youliving canconditions, getand ahave nobeen objectioncoerced letterinto undertaking wider online. scamming activity.
Help
You withshould visamake andarrangements residencythrough applications
Theyour Britishemployer Embassyor involunteer Bangkokorganisation cannotand helpask withyour nearest Royal Thai visaembassy andfor residencyadvice applications.and information.
ForYour anyvolunteering questionsorganisation ormust issues,be contact:
legallyregisteredwiththe Thai ImmigrationMinistryBureauof(in Thai)Commerce.Youwillneedarecommendationletterfromthe RoyalvolunteerThaiorganisationEmbassyforinyourLondon- an
visaEnglish-speakingapplicationlawyerandintheThailandworkpermit.
Passports
ReadYou ourcan guidanceapply onfor moving,a livingThai orpolice retiringclearance abroadcertificate., Thisif coversyou howhave to:previously lived or worked in Thailand.
Youcanapply for a Britishpolicepassportcertificate,fromifabroad- travel
youurgentlyhavewithoutbeenaskedtoprovideyour BritishUKpassport
HealthcareStudying in Thailand
ReadIf ouryou guidanceplan onto moving,study livingin or retiring abroadThailand., Thisyou coversmust howmeet to:
- plan
allyourvisahealthcare - take
requirementsmedicinebeforeabroad
ThailandContact doesthe notrelevant havehigher aeducation reciprocalprovider healthcarein agreementThailand withto thecheck UK.what Makefees sure you have appropriateto healthpay.
Retiring insurancein toThailand
There coverare anymany healthcarethings costs.to Youconsider canif getyou insuranceare fromplanning Thaito orretire international providers.abroad.
ToGuidance findon outretiring howabroad tois getavailable medicalfrom treatment:Money Helper, Age UK and GOV.UK.
- contact
ReadyourtheinsuranceThaiprovider - read
government’sguidance on healthcarethetypesoflongstayand medicalretirementservicesvisasinthatThailandareavailableand healthhowintoThailandgetavisa
Care
Get homesappropriate health insurance.
ForThe embassy provides a list of care homes inand Thailand,how readto ouraccess guidancemental onhealth support in our healthcare and medical services in Thailand guidance.
Working in Thailand
Read ourAge UK guidance onabout moving,returning livingto orthe retiring abroadUK. This(PDF, covers488 workingKB) abroad,if includingyou documentsmoved youaboard. maySee needmore fromgeneral information on returning to the UK government.after living abroad.
Pensions
ToIf workyou retire in Thailand, you needcan aclaim workyour permitUK State Pension or worknew visa.UK TheState officialPension. ThaiContact e-visathe websiteInternational Pension Centre explainsfor thefurther differentinformation.
Read workState permitsPension andguidance visasif you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand availableand you are claiming or waiting to you.claim your UK State Pension.
ForArmed informationForces onpensions commonare risksnot andpaid jobautomatically. scams,You readcould aboutbe safetyeligible for a pension if you are over 59 years of age and securityserved in the travelarmed adviceforces for Thailandmore than 2 years. Contact the Veterans’ Gateway.
Recognition offor qualifications
If you wantget toa worklife incertificate Thailand,from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may needbe tosuspended getif youryou foreigndo qualificationsnot. recognisedThe (inBritish Thai)embassy cannot assist you. Read further information about who can sign your form.
DrivingWills inand Thailand
ReadThe ourlegal guidancerequirements onand moving,recognition livingof ora retiringWill abroad.and Thisa coversLasting howPower to:
- drive
ofabroadAttorneylegally - take
differyourinUKThailandvehiclecomparedabroad - get
todrivingthelicence letters
ForThe informationBritish onembassy drivingunderstands ina Thailand,UK includingLasting drivingPower licenceof rules,Attorney read(LPA) aboutmay roadnot travelbe inofficially Thailand,recognised in safetyThailand. andHowever, securitya Thai issued LPA can be recognised in the travelUK adviceif foran Thailand.
The Thaiapplication governmentis providesmade informationto onthe drivingUK incourt Thailand,of including:
- how
protection,thereforeallowingdecisionsto usebeormadeconvertaboutaUKforeignbaseddrivingassets.Alicence - how
willisunlikelyto applybeforrecognisedaintemporaryThailand(oneunlessyear)theThaiexecutordrivinghaslicence - Thai
beendrivingformallylicencesapprovedandbyservicesaforThaimotorists
YouGiven canthe alsoabove, contactseek yourlegal localadvice officeto ofcheck thewhere Thaiyour Departmentdocuments forwill Landbe Transport.
Tax
Readrecognised. ourThe guidanceembassy onhas moving,a livinglist orof retiringEnglish abroadspeaking lawyers in Thailand.
Tax
The UK has a a double taxation agreement with Thailand so so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact Ask the Thairelevant Revenuetax Departmentauthority foryour any questions about double taxation relief.
ConsiderYou gettingshould get professional advice on paying tax in Thailand.Thailand. ToFind do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Thailand.Thailand.
Pensions
Claiming
Read yourguidance UK pensionon:
Read
taxourifguidanceyouonleavemoving,thelivingUKortoretiringliveabroad. This covers:- how
taxtoonclaim your UK StateincomePensionifyouliveabroad - where
taxtheifUKyougovernmentgetpaysaanpensionannualandincreaseliveinabroad payingtheNationalInsurancewhileabroadtoprotectyourState Pensionandentitlementtootherbenefitsandallowances
Claiming
See ainformation Thaiabout pension
Contacttaxes thein ThaiThailand Socialfrom Securitythe OfficeThai (inRevenue Thai)Department.
Benefits
Check towhich findUK outbenefits whether you can claim Oldwhile Ageabroad Allowanceand inhow Thailand.to claim them.
Benefits
Claiming
Many UKincome-related benefits
Read oursuch guidanceas onPension moving,Credit livingand orHousing retiringBenefit abroad.cannot Thisbe coverspaid howif toyou claimare UKabroad benefitsfor abroad,more includingthan Child4 Benefit.weeks.
ClaimingMoney Thaiand benefits
YouMost mayforeign benationals entitledcan toopen somea Thaibank benefitsaccount ifin you’reThailand legallywith employedtheir inpassport Thailand.and a proof of address.
ToFollow the advice of the local bank to find out ifwhat you’retype eligibleof account you can hold given your current visa status and howwhat todocuments claim,they contactaccept the Thaifor Socialproof Securityof Officeresidence. (inThis Thai).
Buyingcould andbe rentingyour propertylease inagreement, Thailand
Reada ourletter guidancefrom onyour moving,employer, livingyour orwork retiringpermit abroad.or Thisa coverscertificate buyingof andresidence rentingfrom propertyan abroad.Immigration Office.
Generally,Some foreignbanks nationalsin cannotThailand ownmay landlimit inthe Thailand.type Forof moreaccount information,you readcan guidanceopen fromif theyou Thaihave Departmenta oftourist Landsor (inother Thai)short term visa. You may have to visit several banks or bank branches before being successful.
Accommodation and buying property
ContactGenerally anforeign English-speakingnationals lawyerare not allowed to own land in ThailandThailand. You should contact a lawyer if you’reif you are considering buying property or land .land.
VotingDriving in Thailand Thailand
UK elections
Read ourthe guidance on moving,what livingactions oryou retiringmust abroaddo to drive legally in Thailand.
Read Thisgeneral coversguidance howon to:driving abroad.
- vote
Ifinyouareaskedforaletterauthenticating,certifyingorvalidatingyourUK electionsdriver’sfromlicence,abroad - register
youasshouldancontactoverseasUKvoter
Thaiissuing elections
YouIf cannotyou votewish into Thaitake electionsyour unlessvehicle youwith holdyou, Thaisee citizenship.guidance on taking vehicles out of the UK.
Studying
How to get a driving licence in ThailandThailand..
IfYou youshould planbe extremely careful when deciding to studydrive any kind of vehicle in Thailand,Thailand. If you mustare meetinvolved allin visaan requirements beforeaccident, you travel.
Forcan more information:contact:
- read
191guidanceforonPolicetravelEmergencygrantsAssistance 1155for studentsTouriststudyingPolice
If abroadyou orrequire onurgent placementsmedical (England)
1669theforUKEmergencyorMedicineThailandService- contact
1554theforThaiSurgicoMinistryMedicalofAmbulanceEducationandRescueTeam
Children
Road travel
ReadSee our guidance onfor moving,travelling livingby orroad retiringin abroadThailand.
Roads Thisin coversThailand movingcan abroadbe withexcellent children,but including:there are also a lot of accidents. You should be extremely careful when deciding to drive any kind of vehicle in Thailand. To drive a car or ride a motorcycle in Thailand:
- getting
youpermissionmusttohavetaketheyourcorrectchildlicence.abroad - claiming
YoucanapplyforanInternationalDrivingPermitifyoualreadyholdaUK ChilddrivingBenefitlicence,abroadoryoucanapplyforatemporaryThaidrivinglicence - child
youmaintenancemustpaymentsmakeifsureayouparenthavelivesadequateabroadandappropriateinsuranceforthecategoryofvehicleyouareusing
Schools
Note andthat education
Thedriving Thaiunder Ministrythe influence of Educationalcohol providesor informationdrugs aboutis educationillegal inand Thailand.you risk being detained, fined or banned from driving.
AllIf childrenyou ageddo 6not tofollow 15the mustrules attendabove schoolit ormay homeinvalidate schoolyour intravel Thailand.
Births,insurance deaths,if marriagesyou andhave civilan partnerships
BirthsRiding a motorcycle
IfA yourhigh childnumber isof bornroad intraffic Thailand,accidents registerinvolve themotorcycles. birthThe withWorld theHealth ThaiOrganisation authorities.(WHO) Yourates canThailand doas thisone atof yourthe localworld’s districtdeadliest officecountry (‘Amphurfor office’).fatalities Theon hospitalmotorcycles, whereciting youran babyaverage wasof born5,500 canrelated helpdeaths youannually. withA thisnumber process.
Readof ourBritish guidancepeople onhave moving,been livingkilled or retiringseriously abroad.injured Thisin coversaccidents. howExercise to:
- register
extremethecautionbirthifwithyouthehireUKaauthoritiesmotorcycletoandgetalwaysweara UKhelmetbirth-certificate - apply
itforisyourillegalchild’snotfirst British passport
DeathsHiring a vehicle
ReadIf ouryou guidancedecide onto moving,hire livinga orvehicle, retiringdo abroad.not Thishand covers:
- what
overtoyourdopassportafterassomeoneadiesguaranteeabroad - how
(ittoisregisterathelegaldeathrequirementwithtothecarryUKidentificationauthorities
Ifwith someoneyou diesat inall Thailand,times). readYou guidanceshould on:
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offertoandoalternativewhenproofsomeoneofdiesIDinsuchThailand - English-speaking
asfuneraladirectorsphotocopy.inMakeThailand - what
suretoyoudohireiffromsomeoneaisreliablemurderedrentalorshop,diesthatinyoususpiciousarecircumstancescoveredinbyThailand
Marriagesyour travel insurance, and civilcheck partnerships
Readthe oursmall guidanceprint onof moving,the livinglease agreement. Motorcycles or retiringscooters abroad.for Thishire coversin howbeach toresorts getare marriedoften orunregistered formand acannot civilbe partnershipused abroad.legally on a public road.
Quad bikes
YouRiding quad bikes can be dangerous. It is also readillegal ourto guidancedrive one on howthe toroad confirmin you’reThailand, freeeven though they are available to gethire marriedon inthe Thailand.roadside.
DivorceCoach and separation travel
ReadThere ourhave guidancebeen ona moving,number livingof orserious retiringaccidents abroad.involving Thisovernight coverscoach howtravel. If toyou getare ain divorceany doubt about the safety of your transport provider or endare ainvolved civilin partnership.
Ifan incident, ensure you planrecord tothe divorcevehicle inregistration Thailand,information, considerdate, takingtime, legaland advicelocation fromof anincidents English-speakingand lawyercontact inthe Thailand.
DocumentsDepartment forof BritishLand peopleTransport inon Thailand1584.
Voting
ReadYou ourmay guidancebe onable documentsto forvote Britishin peoplesome abroad.UK Thiselections. covers: You can:
- legalising
checkandifcertifyingyouUKaredocumentsabletovote - marriage
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
WillsBirths, anddeaths, lastingmarriage powerand ofcivil attorneypartnership
Births
If your child is born in Thailand andyou should register the UKbirth havewith differentthe ruleslocal forauthorities. willsYou can then register with the UK authorities and lastingapply powerfor ofa attorneyUK (LPA).birth certificate.
TheIf Thaiyour authoritieschild arehas notBritish likelynationality, toyou recognisedo anot UKneed willto unlessregister athe Thaibirth courtwith has approved the executor.
A UK LPAauthorities mayto alsoapply notfor bea recognisedBritish in Thailand.passport.
Deaths
ASee Thaiwhat LPAto cando beafter recognisedsomeone indies.
If thesomeone UKdies ifin anThailand applicationread isour madeguidance on:
whatto thedoUKaftercourtaofBritishprotection.personIndiesthisinway,ThailandEnglish-speakingthefuneralnameddirectorsattorneyincanThailandbereavementmakeinformationdecisions–aboutThailand:anymurder,assetsmanslaughterinandthesuspiciousUK.deaths
Contact
Marriage anand English-speakingcivil lawyerpartnership
Find inout Thailandhow toyou can get legalmarried adviceor onget willsa andcivil LPApartnership abroad.
Pets
YouSee cantravelling alsowith readpets.
Emergencies
Dial guidance191 onfor howthe topolice, make,1669 registerfor ambulance or endfire abrigade, UKor lastingdial power1155 offor attorney.tourist police.
Lawyers,
Dial translators191 andto notariesreport a missing child.
ToIf findyou anhave English-speakingbeen lawyer,the translatorvictim of a rape or notarysexual assault in Thailand, read the guidance on professionalwhat servicesto ifdo you’reand abroadwhere to get support in cases of rape and sexual assault. See also https://www.gov.uk/guidance/victim-of-rape-and-sexual-assault-abroad.
Pets
If you wantare tothe bringvictim yourof peta withcrime, youhave tobeen Thailand,arrested, reador guidanceare on:
- bringing
affectedpetsbytoaThailandcrisis,contacttheBritishEmbassyBangkok - taking
.yourSeepetthedog,listcatoforEnglishferretspeakingtolawyersaandnon-EUtranslatorscountryinThailand.
Returning to the UK
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently. Thiswhich includes information on bringing family membersmembers, back to the UK, tax and access to services.
Disclaimer
YouThis caninformation alsois readprovided Ageas UK’sa guidanceguide ononly. movingDefinitive backinformation toshould thebe UKobtained afterfrom livingthe abroad.
Disclaimer
WeThai provideauthorities. thisThe informationForeign, asCommonwealth a& guideDevelopment only. ForOffice definitivewill information,not contactbe theliable Thaifor authorities.
Readany ourinaccuracies consularin informationthis disclaimer.information.
Updates to this page
Last updated 27
-
Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.
-
26 October 2023 Added a link in the 'Healthcare in Thailand section' to more detailed guidance on Healthcare and medical services in Thailand.
-
13 July 2023 Information on armed forces pensions added to retiring in Thailand section .
-
29 June 2023 Added information to Money and banking section, information on opening a bank account
-
2 June 2023 New section added - 'Retiring in Thailand'
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20 December 2022 Annual review.
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4 April 2022 Added information on opening a bank account in Thailand.
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9 December 2021 Edited Healthcare section under 'Proof of vaccination' - added details on how to obtain a 13 digit number for use with the Mor Prom app.
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18 October 2021 Updated Coronavirus section: added link referencing Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health list of private and government-managed COVID-19 testing facilities.
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8 October 2021 Healthcare section updated with information about covid-19 testing, vaccinations and proof of vaccinations in Thailand.
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15 July 2021 Information about visa overstay and deportation guide created
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23 June 2021 Update to Driving In Thailand
-
9 February 2021 Information relating to COVID vaccinations added
-
31 May 2018 Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.
-
14 January 2014 First published.
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Explore the topic
Update history
2025-12-11 13:35
Added new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK (‘Passports’ section).
2025-11-27 12:21
Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.
2024-11-07 12:00
Added link to get an administrative letter in ‘Visas and residency’ section.
2023-10-26 11:39
Added a link in the ‘Healthcare in Thailand section’ to more detailed guidance on Healthcare and medical services in Thailand.
2023-07-13 08:28
Information on armed forces pensions added to retiring in Thailand section.
2023-06-29 07:56
Added information to Money and banking section, information on opening a bank account
2023-06-02 10:33
New section added – ‘Retiring in Thailand’
2022-12-20 08:16
Annual review.
2022-04-04 06:00
Added information on opening a bank account in Thailand.