What Foreigners Can Own in Thailand: Land, Homes, Companies and Vehicles
The rules on what foreigners can own in Thailand are simple at the top: no land, condos within a quota, and limits on company shares. The detail is in how people try to get round them, and why that has become riskier in 2026.
The short version
- Land: foreigners cannot own it; houses are held through a lease, usufruct or superficies.
- Condos: foreigners can own units freehold within the building’s 49% foreign quota.
- Companies: foreigners are generally limited to 49% of businesses covered by the Foreign Business Act.
- Nominees are illegal, and 2026 brought prosecutions and asset seizures.
- Cars and motorbikes: foreigners can own them in their own name.
Land and houses
Foreigners cannot own land in Thailand. A house is usually held through a registered lease of up to 30 years, a usufruct or a superficies, which gives rights over the land without ownership. Putting land in a Thai partner’s name makes the money a gift in law and leaves you with no ownership rights.
Condos: the one freehold option
Foreigners can own condo units outright, as long as foreigners hold no more than 49% of the building’s saleable area, and the purchase money comes from abroad in foreign currency.
Companies and the 49% rule
Under the Foreign Business Act, foreigners are generally limited to a 49% stake in many types of business unless they hold a foreign business licence or another exemption such as BOI promotion. In 2026 the authorities began requiring proof that Thai shareholders genuinely invested, flagged around 50,000 foreign-linked companies for scrutiny and referred suspects for prosecution.
Vehicles, bank accounts and other assets
Foreigners can own cars and motorbikes in their own name with proof of address, hold Thai bank accounts and investments, and own the contents of their home. A Thai will covering Thai assets makes life easier for your family.
Ownership mistakes to avoid
In law it is a gift.
Illegal, and now enforced.
2026 brought prosecutions.
Your family pays the price.
Property, business and assets
Guides from the JLIT library.
Related hubs
Property, transfers and business.
Keep going
Questions newcomers ask
Can a foreigner own land in Thailand?
No. Foreigners can hold land through a registered lease of up to 30 years, a usufruct or a superficies, but not own it.
Can a foreigner own a company in Thailand?
Foreigners are generally limited to 49% of businesses covered by the Foreign Business Act, unless they hold a foreign business licence or an exemption such as BOI promotion.
Is using a Thai nominee legal?
No. Nominee arrangements are illegal, and in 2026 the authorities stepped up checks, prosecutions and asset seizures.
