Buying property in Thailand as a UK foreigner

Thailand is well known as a holiday paradise, with its golden beaches, fabulous weather and breathtaking scenery. But it’s also a haven for expats, drawn there by cheap property prices, low cost of living, friendly people and of course, incredible food.

But there are some hurdles a foreign buyer must navigate when buying property in Thailand. In this guide, we’ll run through everything you need to know, from property prices to legal requirements. So if you’re dreaming of living, retiring or investing in Thailand as a Brit, read on.

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Buying property in Thailand as a foreigner - a step-by-step guide

Before you start your house hunt, it can be useful to know a little about how the process of buying property works in Thailand.

Here’s a quick overview of the steps involved:

1. Get your finances in order

Before you do anything, it’s a smart idea to get your finances sorted. This means setting a budget, getting a mortgage offer (approval in principle) and getting all your paperwork together.

You might also want to open a Thai bank account, or at least make sure you have an international account in Thai baht (THB). It’s not essential, but it could make things easier.

2. Find a property and arrange viewings

Now it’s time to start searching for your dream home. You can use online property portals and/or local estate agents to find properties. We’ll run through some tips later on how and where to start your search.

If you’ve found somewhere you like, arrange a viewing as soon as you can, and start researching the area in the meantime.

3. Appoint a real estate attorney

There are some legal restrictions on foreigners buying property in Thailand, and the purchase process may also be unfamiliar.

So, you’ll need the help of a local lawyer as you start your search. A personal recommendation is a good way to find a solicitor, but you can also find a list of English-speaking property solicitors on the UK Government website.

A legal expert can not only help with the paperwork and other legal aspects of the transaction, but help you work out what you’re allowed to buy and how best to structure the transaction. They can also help you avoid fraud and scams, and represent your interests throughout the process.

4. Carry out due diligence checks

Before negotiating and signing contracts, your solicitor will need to carry out extensive due diligence checks. These include:

• Verifying title deeds
• Checking zoning and planning regulations
• Reviewing building permits and leases
• Looking into the developer’s background
• Checking that you’re legally allowed to purchase - for example, a block of condominiums may already have reached its foreign ownership quota.

5. Sign the sales contract

When all the due diligence checks are complete, solicitors for both parties will draft and review the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA). This is signed and you’ll pay the deposit (if required) to reserve the property.

6. Closing the deal

At this stage, solicitors for both buyer and seller will work towards closing. Contracts are exchanged, you’ll arrange a transfer to pay the final balance and then the title deeds will be submitted to the Land Department for registration. After that, you’ll get the keys to your new home.

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What’s the property market like in Thailand?

The Thai property market has not been in the best shape recently, after experiencing a prolonged downturn. This was due to a combination of weakened consumer purchasing power, a considerable housing oversupply and a slowdown in domestic sales.³

However, industry experts pointed to clear signs of recovery in late 2025, and are optimistic that the market will continue to improve over the next 2-3 years.³

In terms of property prices, they are gradually increasing. According to figures from the Bank of Thailand, they rose by 2.71% year-on-year as of Q2 2025.⁴

Can foreigners buy property in Thailand?

Foreigners aren’t permitted to buy land in Thailand, but you can buy apartments and condominiums as a non-citizen.

However, foreigners can’t make up more than 49% of the apartment block or condo’s total unit owners.¹

You may also be able to purchase a Thai villa or larger property (but not the land) by entering into a leasehold agreement.

Another option to explore if you want to buy land or a house in Thailand is setting up your own private limited company. As long as it has mixed Thai and foreign ownership, and foreign ownership is 49% or less, the company can be used to legally buy land or property in Thailand.¹ You’ll almost definitely need a lawyer if you want to go down this route.

Can you buy property in Thailand and get residency?

No, there’s no direct route to residency in Thailand if you buy property there.

However, owning a home could potentially contribute to eligibility requirements if you’re looking to move to Thailand permanently via another residency pathway.⁵

How much are the property prices in Thailand?

Now we come to that crucial question - how much is property in Thailand?

To help you plan your budget, let’s take a look at average prices per square metre for apartments (as this is the housing type foreigners can freely purchase) in major cities and towns across the country:⁶

Location	Price per sq.m - apartment in city centre - THB	Price per sq.m - apartment in city centre - GBP
Bangkok	190,500	£4,477
Phuket	137,500	£3,231
Chiang Mai	71,250	£1,674
Koh Samui	65,000	£1,527
Pattaya	88,428	£2,078

On average, an apartment in Thailand is between 34% and 54% cheaper than in the UK, depending on whether you buy in or outside of a city centre.⁷

Another thing to note when figuring out the price for property in Thailand is that international transfers could get expensive, especially if the bank or provider adds a margin to the exchange rate to convert your pounds.

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Where is the cheapest place to buy property in Thailand?

Generally speaking, Thai cities, regions and islands with a lower cost of living such as Koh Samui, Pattaya and Chiang Mai tend to be the cheapest places to buy property.

You may also find affordable property in the seaside resort region of Hua Hin.

Can you get a mortgage from a Thai bank as a non-resident?

Unfortunately, it can be difficult for foreigners to get a mortgage from a Thai bank. This is why many expats look to apply for international mortgages - although not many UK banks offer these.

But it may be possible if you meet one of the following criteria:¹

• You’re married to a Thai national (and have full documentation to prove it)
• You’ve been working in Thailand for at least a year
• You live in Thailand as a permanent resident.

If you are eligible, you can expect Thai banks to lend you around 40% to 80% of the property’s asking price - this means you’ll need a pretty hefty deposit (especially if buying in a major city like Bangkok).¹

Loan terms are typically around 15 years. As a foreign applicant, you can also expect mortgage rates in Thailand to be higher than you’re used to back in the UK.¹

To apply for your mortgage, you’ll need a long list of documents including - your passport, residency/visa documents (if applicable), proof of income, recent payslips, and documents relating to the property purchase.

It’s a good idea to start shopping around for mortgages before starting your property search in earnest. You might want to use a broker, who can help you find the right mortgage for you. Simply having someone on your side who speaks Thai and really understands the system can pay dividends.

📚 Read more: The best UK banks for sending money abroad

Taxes and fees for owning property in Thailand

Alongside the property price, you also need to budget for the fees and taxes involved in your Thailand property purchase.

The good news is that many of the costs involved in Thai property purchases are paid by the seller, including stamp duty. However, there are still some fees buyers need to know about, such as:

Tax/fee name	Rate/fee
Transfer fee	2% - often split between buyer and seller¹
Legal fees	Varies, around 20,000 to 30,000 THB¹
Annual property tax	0.3% for residential use properties²

If you buy property with a business or you buy a lease, there may be additional costs to pay.

How can you find a property in Thailand?

The two main routes to find property to buy in Thailand are local real estate agencies and online property websites.

Property agencies and agents in Thailand

If you’re not living in Thailand, it could be useful to use a local estate agent to help you hunt down that dream property to buy. After all, they’ll have knowledge of the local market and can offer advice on the buying process.

However, you should proceed with caution when using a Thai estate agent. In Thailand, anyone can become an estate agent - there’s no regulation or a requirement for training, licensing or certification. This means the quality of services provided can vary.

So, it could be an idea to choose an agent based on a personal recommendation if possible. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions, and do as much research as you can into the agency and their background.

Property websites in Thailand

The best way to get a head start on finding a place to buy in Thailand is to look online. Great websites to find a house or apartment to buy include:

• Dot Property
• Thailand-Property.com
• DD Property
• Hipflat
• Rightmove Thailand

What are some of the pitfalls of buying property in Thailand?

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when buying property in Thailand is not using a specialist real estate lawyer. It isn’t legally required, but it is strongly recommended. Without one, it’s easy to blunder into unnecessary complications and delays, and even accidentally fall foul of the law.

Other things to watch out for include:

• Due diligence - all financial transactions in Thailand require investigation, to make sure the property purchase is a sound investment. For example, looking into the developer’s history and checking with previous owners that they’re satisfied with the quality of construction. These are all checks that an experienced real estate lawyer should carry out for you.
• Deposits - unless there is a specific ‘get out’ clause in the deposit agreement, the deposit you provide to reserve the property will be non-refundable if you back out.
• Scams - be extremely wary of scams, which means being cautious, doing your homework before making any financial transactions and getting advice from trusted professionals.

How do you choose the right property in Thailand?

Among the most popular types of property in Thailand with foreigners are apartments and condos. These are usually found in the heart of major cities and tourist hotspots. But many are also attracted to Thailand’s spacious villas, which make particularly good holiday homes.

The property type you choose all depends on where you’re buying and your budget. And of course, the legal complexities involved in buying property in Thailand as a foreigner.

Condition of the property

While it’s not mandatory to get a building survey done in Thailand, it could be a smart move. An inspection by a qualified surveyor can help you assess the condition of the property before purchasing, and uncover any potentially worrying problems.

You can find a surveyor using the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) website, as it has listings for Thailand.

Moving into your Thailand property

Before you can get the keys to your new home, you’ll have a few key tasks to run through.

These include taking out insurance, setting up your utilities and carrying out any energy efficiency renovations.

Insurance

It’s strongly recommended to take out a buildings insurance policy starting from your completion date. In fact, you might find it's a mandatory condition of your mortgage offer.

Setting up utilities

If you know when your completion date will be, it makes sense to get some essentials set up in advance of moving in.

A prime example is utilities, such as heating, power and water. Get these sorted as early as you can, and the moving process should be a little smoother.

Energy efficiency renovations

If you’ve bought an older property, you might want to make some energy efficiency improvements to it. For example, rewiring the electrics or upgrading the air conditioning system.

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And that’s it - our comprehensive guide to buying property in Thailand for foreigners.

We’ve covered all the essentials, so you should be all set to start your search and navigate the buying process in complete confidence. Good luck!

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Sources used:

1. Online Mortgage Advisor - Mortgages In Thailand Explained
2. Samui Island Realty - Thailand Property Taxes & Fees
3. The Nation Thailand - Thai property market seen rebounding in 2–3 years after passing its lowest point
4. Global Property Guide - Thailand's Residential Property Market Analysis 2025
5. KS Villas - Can I Get Residency in Thailand if I Buy a House?
6. Numbeo - Cost of Living Comparison
7. Numbeo - Cost of Living Comparison Between United Kingdom and Thailand

Sources last checked 24-Nov-2025