How Much Money Do You Need to Move to Thailand?
Monthly living costs are only half the answer. Moving also means one-off setup costs, money your visa may require you to hold, and a buffer for the months before life settles. Here is how to work out your number.
Work it out in four parts
- Setup costs: flights, shipping, temporary accommodation, rental deposit and advance rent, and furnishing.
- Visa money: some routes require proof of funds, for example 500,000 baht for the DTV or 800,000 baht in a Thai bank for a retirement extension.
- Monthly costs: rent, food, transport, health cover and schooling, priced for the city you choose.
- A buffer: several months of costs held back for emergencies and exchange-rate swings.
- Use the JLIT calculators to price your own situation rather than relying on averages.
One-off costs of getting here
The first two months are the most expensive. You are paying for flights, possibly a shipment, a hotel or serviced apartment while you look around, and then a deposit and advance rent on a long-term home before you have settled.
Rental businesses with five or more units are limited by Thai consumer rules to a deposit and advance rent of no more than one month each. Individual condo owners are not covered by that rule, so check the terms of each lease.
- Getting here: flights, shipping or excess baggage, pet relocation
- First weeks: hotel or serviced apartment, transport, SIM
- Your home: deposit, advance rent, furnishing, utilities set-up
- Paperwork: visa fees, document translation and certification
Money your visa may ask to see
Several long-stay routes require proof of funds, and some require it to sit in an account for a set period. Plan for this money to be unavailable for spending.
- DTV: 500,000 baht or equivalent; most embassies want it held for at least three months
- Retirement extension: 800,000 baht in a Thai account, 65,000 baht a month in income, or a combination of the two
- Retirement seasoning: the deposit is commonly required for two months before applying and three months after approval
Rules and embassy practice change. Confirm the current figure with your embassy or immigration office before you move money.
Your monthly number
Monthly costs vary more by lifestyle than by city. Rent, international schooling, private health insurance and how often you buy imported food make the biggest difference. Price your own month rather than trusting a headline figure.
Keep a buffer, in the right currency
Hold back an emergency fund for medical bills not covered by insurance, a flight home, or a gap in income. If you are paid in pounds, dollars or euros, a weaker home currency quietly raises your costs in baht, so build some slack into the plan.
Money mistakes when moving
The setup months cost far more than a normal month.
Proof-of-funds money may be locked for months.
A falling home currency is a pay cut in baht.
Insurance excesses and flights home add up quickly.
Price your own rent, schooling and health cover.
Everything on the money side of moving
Deeper guides and tools from the JLIT library.
Budgeting the move
What different budgets buy
Safety nets
Earning and moving money
Tools and hubs for your money
Calculators to price your move and hubs with the long-form finance guides.
Cost of living calculatorYour monthly budget, city by city.Open hubMoving cost estimatorA rough cost for your move.Open hub
Budget plannerPlan income and spending in baht.Open hubFinanceBanking, transfers and planning.Open hub
Visas & ImmigrationVisa routes and their money rules.Open hub
Moving HubShipping, movers and quotes.Open hubKeep going
Questions newcomers ask
How much money do I need to move to Thailand?
Add four things: one-off setup costs (travel, shipping, temporary housing, deposit and advance rent), any proof of funds your visa requires, your monthly living costs, and an emergency buffer. Use the JLIT cost of living calculator to price your own situation.
How much money do I need for a DTV visa?
At least 500,000 baht or the equivalent, and most embassies want to see it held for at least three months. Check your embassy’s current requirements.
How much money do I need for a Thai retirement extension?
800,000 baht in a Thai bank account, at least 65,000 baht a month in income, or a combination of the two. The deposit route has seasoning rules before and after approval.
How big a rental deposit will I pay?
Rental businesses with five or more units cannot take more than one month’s deposit and one month’s advance rent. Private condo owners are not covered by that rule, so terms vary.
