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Foreign Ownership in Thailand: Can You Buy Real Estate?

Can a Foreigner Own Real Estate Property in Thailand?

Yes, foreigners can own real estate in Thailand under specific conditions. The most straightforward option is purchasing an apartment in a condominium. Under Thai law, up to 49% of the total livable area in a condominium development can be owned by foreigners as freehold. This means the ownership is registered directly in the buyer’s name at the Land Department, which is Thailand’s equivalent of a land registry.

The remaining 51% of the condominium units must be owned by Thai nationals or made available for long-term lease (3 x 30

 years) to foreigners. In new real estate developments, freehold units are often the first to be sold. Once the 49% foreign ownership quota is reached, the only available option for foreign buyers is a long-term lease, which is also registered at the Land Department.

For villas or properties that are not part of a condominium, foreigners have two main options:

  1. Leasehold Ownership – The most common approach is a 30-year lease with two renewal options, allowing a total of 90 years. This long-term lease is legally registered with the Land Department.

  2. Thai Company Ownership – Some foreign buyers choose to establish a Thai

  3.  company to hold the property. This method requires careful structuring to comply with Thai law, and legal experts can assist in ensuring a secure investment.


Are There Agency Fees in Thailand?

No, buyers do not pay agency fees in Thailand. Real estate agencies are compensated by sellers, meaning the price displayed on listings already includes agency fees.


What Are the Costs of Buying or Selling Property in Thailand?

  • Property Transfer Fee2% of the government-appraised value of the property, typically shared between buyer and seller.
  • Stamp Duty0.5% of the selling price, payable upon resale.
  • Withholding Tax3.3%, applicable if the property is sold within 5 years of ownership.

If purchasing a condominium or a villa within a managed community, buyers must also contribute to a sinking fund. This fund covers future major maintenance expenses, such as road repairs, swimming pool maintenance, and electrical infrastructure.


How Much Are Common Fees, and What Do They Cover?

When purchasing property in a condominium or a gated community, buyers should consider monthly maintenance fees. These costs vary depending on the size of the residence, available facilities, and services provided.

In Phuket, common fees typically range from 30 to 100 THB per square meter per month. These fees cover:

  • Maintenance of common areas (gardens, walkways, etc.)
  • Swimming pool, gym, sauna upkeep
  • Garbage collection
  • Security services
  • Condominium management operations
  • In some cases, private pool maintenance for villas
Condominium residence in Rawai, Phuket, Thailand

Condominium residence in Phuket – Rawai Beach


Is There a Property Tax in Thailand?

Thailand has a land tax, but in practice, it is very low—usually just a few thousand baht per year. As of 2019, a new property tax was announced, though details were still pending confirmation at the time.

Unlike many other countries, Thailand does not have an annual housing tax or significant property tax for private residences.


What Is the Process for Buying Property in Phuket?

The property purchase process in Thailand involves two key professionals:

  1. Real Estate Agent – Helps the buyer find a suitable property and provides market insights.
  2. Legal Advisor – Ensures the purchase is legally secure.

The process includes:

  • Signing a sales agreement and paying a deposit to reserve the property.
  • A due diligence period of about one month, during which the legal advisor checks:
    • Sales contract details
    • Title deeds
    • Land ownership status
    • Developer credentials
    • Any outstanding mortgages or encumbrances
  • If necessary, the lawyer modifies the contract before providing final approval for the buyer to proceed with the full payment.

How to Pay for Property in Phuket?

For a foreigner to obtain a freehold title or register a long-term lease, the payment must be made via an international bank transfer in a foreign currency to a Thai bank account.

Once the funds arrive, the bank issues a Foreign Exchange Transaction Form (FETF). This document is essential for:

  • Registering ownership with the Land Department
  • Ensuring that when the property is later sold, the seller can legally repatriate the funds out of Thailand

 

Phuket Condos for sale
Freehold

Patong Sea view freehold condo

1 Bedrooms
·
1 Baths
·
Size 69.00 m2
Patong sea view condo   Patong sea view condo for sale ! Perfectly located, just 5 minutes away the ...
฿ 6,800,000
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One-Bedroom Plus Condo for Sale at The Title...

1 Bedrooms
·
1 Baths
·
Size 51.00 m2
One-Bedroom Plus Condo for Sale at The Title Rawai, Phuket The one bedroom condo type at the Title R ...
From ฿ 6,732,000
Phuket Villas for sale

House at Land & House Park Chalong

2 Bedrooms
·
2 Baths
·
Size 122.00 m2
Land and Houses Park – House available for purchase in Chalong A recently renovated house (completed ...
฿ 6,500,000
Phuket Condos for sale

Condominium near Bang Tao Beach

1 Bedrooms
·
1 Baths
·
Size 40.00 m2
Condominium near Bang Tao Beach New condominium development within walking distance to Bang Tao Beac ...
From ฿ 5,200,000
Phuket Condos for sale
Freehold

Condo for sale The Title Rawai

1 Bedrooms
·
1 Baths
·
Size 46.00 m2
Condo for Sale at The Title Rawai – Foreign Freehold Ownership Looking for a condo for sale at The T ...
฿ 5,200,000
Phuket Condos for sale

New Rawai beach front condominium

1 Baths
New Rawai beach front condominium New Rawai condo project for sale. Launched in 2024, this beach fro ...
From ฿ 5,030,000
Phuket Condos for sale

Condo for Sale at The Beachfront Hotel, Rawa...

1 Baths
·
Size 44.00 m2
Condo for Sale at The Beachfront Hotel, Rawai  Live the beachfront lifestyle or invest in a prime Ph ...
฿ 4,500,000
Phuket Condos for sale

Condominium residence near Nai Harn Beach

1 Bedrooms
·
1 Baths
·
Size 27.00 m2
Condominium residence near Nai Harn Beach Exceptional location for this new condominium project unde ...
From ฿ 4,279,000
Phuket Condos for sale
New listing !

Condominium for sale near Kata Beach

1 Bedrooms
·
1 Baths
Condominium for sale near Kata Beach New condominium project for sale near Kata Beach on Phuket West ...
From ฿ 3,990,000
Phuket Condos for sale

One bedroom condo at The Title Rawai

1 Bedrooms
·
1 Baths
·
Size 31.00 m2
One-Bedroom Condo for Sale at The Title Rawai, Phuket The one bedroom condo type at the Title Rawai ...
From ฿ 3,875,000
Phuket Condos for sale

Appartements for sale at The Title Rawai

Appartements for sale at The Title Rawai, Phuket Discover The Title Rawai, a premium condo and apart ...
From ฿ 3,875,000
Phuket Long Term Rental

6 bedroom sea view villa for rent in Chalong

6 Bedrooms
·
8 Baths
·
Size 530.00 m2
6 bedroom sea view villa for rent in Chalong Discover this stunning sea-view villa located in the tr ...
From ฿ 350,000 / month
Phuket Long Term Rental
Available now

Villa for rent – The Trinity Layan, Ph...

4 Bedrooms
·
4 Baths
Brand New Luxury Villa for Rent at The Trinity Villas – Layan, Phuket Experience the ultimate in con ...
฿ 300,000 / month
Phuket Long Term Rental
Available Dec 2024

Five bedroom villa for rent Phuket

5 Bedrooms
·
5 Baths
·
Size 700.00 m2
Luxurious 5-Bedroom Modern Tropical Villa for Long-Term Rent Welcome to this stunning modern tropica ...
฿ 299,000 / month
Phuket Holiday rental
Rented

Five bedroom villa Rawai

5 Bedrooms
·
5 Baths
·
Size 450.00 m2
Five bedroom villa for rent in Rawai  This Rawai villa  is a quality finishing villa and set in the ...
฿ 180,000 / month
Phuket Holiday rental

Baan Bua Nai Harn Zen Villa

3 Bedrooms
·
4 Baths
·
Size 260.00 m2
Luxury 3 bedroom pool villa for rent in Nai Harn Baan Bua Rent a villa in Nai Harn and treat yoursel ...
From ฿ 170,000 / month
Phuket Long Term Rental

Thai-Style Villa for Sale in Rawai, Phuket

4 Bedrooms
·
5 Baths
·
Size 400.00 m2
Thai-Style Villa for Sale in Rawai, Phuket  This spacious Thai-style villa offers a serene lifestyle ...
/ month ฿ 160,000
Phuket Long Term Rental
Available now

New 3 bedroom villa for rent – Rawai

3 Bedrooms
·
3 Baths
Brand new 3-Bedroom Pool Villa for Long-Term Rent in Rawai Discover this stunning 3-bedroom, 3.5-bat ...
From ฿ 135,000 / month

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