Can EU citizens get residency in Thailand by buying property?

Yes. Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa - Wealthy Global Citizen: from US$500,000 (about $500k). At least USD 1m in global assets, of which at least USD 500k already invested in Thailand in own name: Thai government bonds with 5+ years to maturity, direct investment in a Thai-registered company, or Thai property. Health cover of USD 50k, or Thai social security, or USD 100k held in a bank account for 12 months.

How long does it take?

Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa - Wealthy Global Citizen: qualification result within 20 working days (longer if more documents are requested); visa then collected within 60 days of endorsement. The permit runs 10 years, renewable (issued as 5 years + 5-year extension while conditions are maintained).

Does it lead to citizenship?

No set path to permanent residence or citizenship through this route.

The Residency Index2027 edition

Thailand residency for EU citizens.

From: $500k
Permit in: 1 mo
Passport in: No
Index score: 64

EU passport You can already stay 30 days without a visa; residency is for staying longer, banking and owning.

Homes in Thailand The Thailand map

For EU citizens

What is different for EU citizens.

EU citizens can stay in another EU country for up to 3 months without registering, and can move there to live, work or retire, registering residence for longer stays.
European Union, Your Europe: Residence rights
After five years of lawful, unbroken residence in another EU country, an EU citizen automatically gains the right to live there permanently.
European Union, Your Europe: Residence rights

2 open routes

The routes to living in Thailand.

Our Thailand visa and residency guide

Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa - Wealthy Global Citizen

Open64

the personal income test for this category was removed in February 2025

Minimum: US$500,000
What counts: At least USD 1m in global assets, of which at least USD 500k already invested in Thailand in own name: Thai government bonds with 5+ years to maturity, direct investment in a Thai-registered company, or Thai property. Health cover of USD 50k, or Thai social security, or USD 100k held in a bank account for 12 months.
Processing: qualification result within 20 working days (longer if more documents are requested); visa then collected within 60 days of endorsement
Permit: 10 years, renewable (issued as 5 years + 5-year extension while conditions are maintained)
Time you must spend there: none stated in BOI criteria
Path to a passport: No set path to permanent residence or citizenship through this route.
Family: spouse and children under 20, up to 4 dependants (each needs USD 50k health cover, Thai social security or USD 25k in a bank account for 12 months)
Tax: BOI lists 'tax exemption for overseas income' as an LTR privilege; ordinary Thai tax residents (180+ days) are taxed on foreign income remitted to Thailand

Official source · Second source · checked 2026-10-20

Thailand Privilege membership (Privilege Entry Visa)

Open60

Bronze (THB 650,000, 5 years) is still offered on the official site in October 2026, although resellers reported it would close to new applicants on 30 Sep 2026

Minimum: THB 650,000 · about $19k
What counts: One-off membership fee (Bronze 650k/5y, Gold 900k/5y, Platinum 1.5m/10y, Diamond 2.5m/15y, Reserve 5m/20y by invitation); not an investment
Processing: Not published
Permit: 5 to 20 years, by tier, not renewable (membership ends; a new membership must be bought at then-current price)
Time you must spend there: none stated by operator
Path to a passport: No set path to permanent residence or citizenship through this route.
Family: each family member needs their own membership; the operator advertises a reduced 'Next Member' fee of THB 750,000
Tax: Thai tax residents (180+ days) taxed on foreign income remitted to Thailand; membership gives no tax relief

Official source · Second source · checked 2026-10-20

Residency rules, thresholds and fees change often, sometimes without notice. Everything here is general information, checked on the date shown, not legal, tax or immigration advice: confirm with the official source and a licensed adviser before you act. Continental sells property; we don’t arrange visas or residency.

Homes

Homes from the US$500,000 minimum.

Our homes in Thailand priced at the Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa - Wealthy Global Citizen minimum or above. Whether a purchase qualifies turns on the route’s conditions: the authorities and your adviser decide. We sell the home, not the visa.

All homes in Thailand

AvailableFromTHB 20m (about £450k)
Phuket, Thailand
Sole Mio Residences
Apartments and penthouses by Bang Tao Beach, Phuket
Type
Apartment
Bedrooms
1–4
Completion
Q1 2027

Pounds are approximate, at ECB euro reference rates, 20 October 2026; Gulf currencies at their US dollar pegs.

Buying in Thailand The Thailand map Thailand Visa and Residency for UK Citizens

Short answers

What people ask.

Can EU citizens get residency in Thailand by buying property?: Yes. Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa - Wealthy Global Citizen: from US$500,000 (about $500k). At least USD 1m in global assets, of which at least USD 500k already invested in Thailand in own name: Thai government bonds with 5+ years to maturity, direct investment in a Thai-registered company, or Thai property. Health cover of USD 50k, or Thai social security, or USD 100k held in a bank account for 12 months.
How long does it take?: Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa - Wealthy Global Citizen: qualification result within 20 working days (longer if more documents are requested); visa then collected within 60 days of endorsement. The permit runs 10 years, renewable (issued as 5 years + 5-year extension while conditions are maintained).
Does it lead to citizenship?: No set path to permanent residence or citizenship through this route.

The Wealth Atlas

What living well in Thailand costs.

Read it for your passport

Thailand residency, passport by passport.

Visa-free stays: Royal Thai Government Gazette, 31 August 2026: the visa exemption for 60 countries fell from 60 to 30 days on 15 September 2026. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.