Moving to Thailand: taxes, residence and life
How to become tax resident in Thailand: personal, dividend and corporate tax, 9 residence programmes, days needed, climate, safety and economy — compared with 194 countries.
Taxes
In Thailand the top income tax rate is 35%, dividends are taxed at up to 10% and companies pay 20% corporate tax. Newcomers may use a special regime (0%): Foreign income taxed only if remitted; LTR visa gives further relief.
How to move and become tax resident
To become tax resident in Thailand you need at least 180 days a year (180 days in calendar year (aggregate)). The typical route is LTR visa – Wealthy Global Citizen (USD 500k in Thailand): Net assets ≥USD 1m, ≥USD 500k in Thai bonds/property/FDI; health insurance; no income test since 2025 There are 9 open residence programmes in Thailand — see the list below.
Living there
Bangkok has a tropical savanna (wet/dry) climate with winter highs around 32 °C and summer highs around 35 °C. The economy grew +2% in 2025; the IMF forecasts 1.6% for 2026. Its passport opens about 82 countries without a visa in advance. Security: Border war with Cambodia Jul & Dec 2025, truce holds; Malay-Muslim insurgency in south.
Key facts
| Top income tax | 35% |
|---|---|
| Dividend tax | 10% |
| Corporate tax | 20% |
| Special regime for newcomers | 0% — Foreign income taxed only if remitted; LTR visa gives further relief. |
| Résidence fiscale | après 180 jours — 180 days in calendar year (aggregate) |
| Voie de résidence typique | LTR visa – Wealthy Global Citizen (USD 500k in Thailand) — Net assets ≥USD 1m, ≥USD 500k in Thai bonds/property/FDI; health insurance; no income test since 2025 |
| Passeport | sans visa ou visa à l'arrivée dans 82 pays |
| Economic growth | +2% (2025), forecast 1.6% (2026) |
| Type de climat | tropical savanna (wet/dry) · 32° / 35° (Bangkok) |
| Guerre & conflits | armed — Border war with Cambodia Jul & Dec 2025, truce holds; Malay-Muslim insurgency in south |
| Tous les risques naturels | 6.7/10 |
| Solidité bancaire | 6.5/10 · BBB+ |
| Protection de la propriété | 5/10 |
| Logements chauds en hiver | 9/10 |
Residence programmes in Thailand
- Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa – Wealthy Global Citizen — Investissement CHF 400'000 · open · 2026-10
- Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa – Wealthy Pensioner — Revenu / an CHF 64'000 · open · 2026-10
- Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa – Work-from-Thailand Professional — Revenu / an CHF 64'000 · open · 2026-10
- Thailand Privilege Visa (formerly Thailand Elite) — independentMeans · open · 2026-10
- Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) — digitalNomad · open · 2026-10
- Retirement Visa (Non-Immigrant O / O-A / O-X) — Investissement CHF 19'700 · open · 2026-10
- Business Visa (Non-Immigrant B) + Work Permit — Investissement CHF 49'200 · open · 2026-10
- Permanent Residence (quota) — Investissement CHF 73'800 · open · 2026-10
- Non-Immigrant O (marriage/family) — Revenu / an CHF 11'800 · open · 2026-10
Plan your residence route
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need to spend in Thailand to become tax resident?
après 180 jours. 180 days in calendar year (aggregate) Foreign income taxed if remitted (since 2024); LTR visa holders exempt on foreign income
How much tax will I pay in Thailand?
In Thailand the top income tax rate is 35%, dividends are taxed at up to 10% and companies pay 20% corporate tax.
Which residence programmes does Thailand offer?
Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa – Wealthy Global Citizen (CHF 400'000); Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa – Wealthy Pensioner; Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa – Work-from-Thailand Professional; Thailand Privilege Visa (formerly Thailand Elite); Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
What is the usual way to move to Thailand?
LTR visa – Wealthy Global Citizen (USD 500k in Thailand). Net assets ≥USD 1m, ≥USD 500k in Thai bonds/property/FDI; health insurance; no income test since 2025
Compare with nearby countries
Afghanistan · Armenia · Australia · Azerbaijan · Bangladesh · Bhutan · Cambodia · China · Fiji · Georgia · Hong Kong · India
Information générale uniquement – pas de conseil fiscal, juridique, migratoire, en investissement ou financier, ni de relation client. Chiffres simplifiés, indicatifs et parfois dépassés. Vérifiez toujours auprès de l'autorité officielle et d'un professionnel agréé du pays concerné avant d'agir. Les liens partenaires éventuels sont signalés et peuvent nous rémunérer.