Moving to Thailand from the UK: Your Complete Relocation Guide

TL;DR: Moving to Thailand from the UK is possible if you meet the visa rules. Brexit does not affect this move. The cost of living is much lower than in the UK, with rent typically over 60% cheaper. You will need a specific visa, such as a Non-immigrant visa for work or study, or a retirement visa if you are over 50 years old with sufficient funds (e.g., 800,000 THB in a Thai bank for a one-year retirement visa).

Imagine packing your bags, ready to move to a lively country like Thailand, only to realize your UK bank might block you because you no longer have a UK phone number. This is a common worry for many British people hoping to live abroad. Over 40,000 British expats already call Thailand home, enjoying its vibrant culture and lower cost of living. This guide will help you understand everything about moving to Thailand from the UK, from finding the right Thai visa UK to the cost of living Thailand, and even how to manage your money across borders. We will also introduce Keep My Number, a service in early access designed to help you keep your valuable UK phone number so you don’t lose access to essential services like banking and staying in touch with family.

Can People From the UK Move to Thailand?

Yes, people from the UK can definitely move to Thailand. You can do this as long as you meet all the necessary requirements, have the correct documents, and follow all the rules. This guide will walk you through the steps and the different ways you can make this move happen.

Has Moving to Thailand from the UK Changed After Brexit?

No, moving to Thailand from the UK after Brexit has not changed anything. Thailand is not part of Europe, so leaving the European Union does not impact UK citizens moving there. The rules for visas and entry remain the same for British people as they were before Brexit.

How Can You Get a Thai Visa?

To move to Thailand, you will need a visa. There are four main kinds of visas that Thailand offers to people from other countries: tourist, transit, Non-immigrant, and SMART visas. Each one serves a different purpose for your visit or stay.

The Non-immigrant visa is for foreigners who want to visit Thailand for reasons other than just holidays. This means it’s a long-term visa for those who plan to stay in Thailand for a specific period, perhaps for work, study, or retirement. There are ten different types of Non-immigrant visas, and the kind you need depends on your job or the reason for your stay. Here are some of the categories:

• F category: For people who work with a government group, an embassy, or a consulate.
• B category: For those doing business, working for a Thai company, or teaching. This is often the most common Thai visa UK for people looking for finding a job in Thailand.
• IM category: For those making investments in Thailand.
• ED category: For people studying in Thailand, attending a seminar, or going to a conference.
• M category: For journalists, reporters, or people making films.
• R category: For religious purposes, such as missionary work.
• RS category: For those planning to do scientific research or teach at a Thai research center.
• EX category: For experts or specialists in certain fields.
• O category: For various other reasons, like getting medical treatment, being part of a legal process, working in a diplomat’s home, or joining your Thai husband or wife.
• O-A and O-X category: These are the retiring in Thailand visas. The O-A visa is good for one year, and the O-X visa can last for five years.

You can also apply for the SMART visa. This visa is for investors, highly skilled workers, or business owners who want to put money into specific industries in Thailand. Each type of SMART visa has specific money requirements, based on how much you earn or invest.

Another new visa is Thailand’s Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa. This visa is for four types of foreigners: rich global citizens, rich retirees, professionals who work from Thailand, and highly skilled professionals. While the rules to get this visa are quite strict, it is valid for 10 years and you can renew it. This visa can be a good choice for digital nomads if you meet all the conditions.

When you are planning your move, remember that porting rules for your phone number can differ greatly from country to country. For example, if you are moving from the UK, you might want to learn more about how to keep your UK number abroad.

How Do You Move to Thailand from the UK?

The first step in your journey to Thailand is to visit a Thai Embassy or Consulate in the UK and apply for the visa that suits your needs. Before you go, it’s wise to contact them to find out exactly which documents you will need to bring. Make sure you are prepared with everything they ask for.

After you have been in Thailand for 90 days on your Non-immigrant visa, you can apply for an extension that lets you stay for one more year. You will also need to get a re-entry permit if you plan to leave Thailand and come back during that year. Once you have lived in Thailand legally for three years, you can then apply for permanent residency. If you stay as a permanent resident for five years, you can even apply to become a Thai citizen.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Get to Thailand from the UK?

The most common and almost only way to get to Thailand from the UK is by flying. Finding a good deal on flights can save you a lot of money when moving to Thailand from the UK. At the moment, February often offers the cheapest flights, where you might find a one-way ticket for around £208.

However, you should expect average ticket prices to be higher than this. It’s not always easy to find the very best deals, so a more realistic price for a one-way ticket is usually between £300 and £400. You can use flight comparison websites like Skyscanner to check prices from various airports in London (such as London Heathrow) to Bangkok.

When moving, keeping your old phone number is important. Read more about what happens to your number when you move abroad to avoid any surprises.

Options for Retiring in Thailand

Are you dreaming of spending your retirement years in a beautiful tropical place? Thailand can be a fantastic choice, whether you are close to retirement age or just planning for the future. Many people consider retiring in Thailand because of its lovely climate, friendly culture, and lower cost of living. But how easy is it to actually retire there? Here are the main things you should know.

Retirement Visas

Thailand has specific visas for retirees, often called the O category Non-immigrant visa. There are two main types of these visas: the O-A and the O-X. To apply for either of these, you must be at least 50 years old.

• The O-A visa is valid for one year. To apply for this visa, you need to show you have a monthly income of at least 65,000 Thai Baht (THB), or you must have a security deposit of 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account.
• The O-X visa lets you stay in Thailand for 10 years. This visa is only available to citizens of certain countries, and the UK is one of them ⁸. For the O-X visa, the financial requirements are higher: you need to have a deposit of 3,000,000 THB in a Thai bank, or an annual income of 1,200,000 THB.

Pensions

If you successfully retire in Thailand, you should know that you can still claim your UK state pension or your new UK State Pension while living there. To get the most up-to-date and accurate information about your pension, it is best to contact the International Pension Centre directly. They can provide specific guidance for your situation.

Living in Thailand - What You Need to Know

Here are some important facts to help you get started if you are thinking about moving to Thailand from the UK:

• Currency: The official currency is the Thai Baht (THB).
• Main Languages: The main language spoken is Thai. In tourist areas and bigger cities, English is also common.
• Population: Thailand has a population of around 71,871,510 people.
• British Expats: There are approximately 41,000 British expats already living in Thailand, making it a popular choice for UK citizens seeking a new life abroad.

One crucial aspect of living abroad, often overlooked, is managing your home country phone number. Keep My Number is a service in early access that lets you easily keep your existing UK mobile number. This is incredibly helpful for receiving important text messages like banking one-time passwords (OTPs), verifying online accounts, and keeping in touch with family and friends without high international roaming costs. By using a service like this, you avoid the hassle of updating your number with many different organizations. You can learn more about similar services, for example, by comparing Google Voice vs Keep My Number.

How Much Money Do You Need to Move to Thailand?

Before moving to Thailand from the UK, it is smart to understand the cost of living Thailand. In general, daily expenses in Thailand are much lower than in the UK. This means your money can go further, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle. On average, you will pay over 60% less for rent in Thailand compared to the UK. Groceries are also significantly cheaper, typically around 30% less. However, prices can change a lot depending on which city you choose to live in. For example, living in Bangkok will be more expensive than in a smaller town.

Let’s look at some average prices for common things you might spend money on in Thailand, compared to the UK ¹¹:

Item	Average Cost in Thailand	Average Cost in the UK
Three-course meal for two	around £19	£60
Loaf of fresh white bread	around £1.03	£1.21
Draught beer (0.5 liter)	around £1.50	£4.50
Monthly public transport pass	approximately £26	£68
Rent for 1-bedroom apartment (city centre)	around £363	£1,062
Basic utilities (monthly for a typical apartment)	around £55	£250
Price per square meter to buy apartment (city centre)	over 45% lower	-

As you can see from the table, a three-course meal for two people costs about £19 in Thailand, while the same meal would cost around £60 in the UK. A simple loaf of bread is about £1.03 in Thailand, slightly less than the £1.21 in the UK. A pint of draught beer is also much more affordable at about £1.50 compared to £4.50 back in the UK.

Public transport is also considerably cheaper, with a monthly pass costing roughly £26 in Thailand versus £68 in the UK. The biggest saving is often on rent; a one-bedroom apartment in the city center typically costs around £363 per month in Thailand, a significant difference from the £1,062 you would pay in the UK. Even basic utilities for an apartment are much lower, averaging £55 a month in Thailand compared to £250 in the UK.

If you are thinking about buying an apartment, property prices in Thailand are also much more affordable than in the UK. For example, the price per square meter for an apartment in a city center is over 45% lower compared to the UK. These lower costs make renting or buying property in Thailand a more accessible option for many expats.

What Is the Healthcare System Like in Thailand?

Thailand is well-known for having a very good healthcare system that is also affordable. Both Thai citizens and legal residents who are working can use the public healthcare system. This system offers essential medical services at a low cost.

However, many expats living in Thailand also choose to have private health insurance. Private healthcare is more expensive than public options, but it is still relatively affordable compared to private healthcare in many Western countries. Thai private hospitals are highly regarded for their skilled medical staff and modern equipment, so much so that Thailand has become a popular place for medical tourism ¹². This means many people travel to Thailand specifically for medical treatments because of the high quality and lower prices.

How Can You Open a Thai Bank Account?

Opening a local Thai bank account should be one of the first important steps you take when you start your new life in Thailand. It is essential for many everyday tasks, such as paying your rent, utility bills, and for general spending. Cash is still widely used in Thailand, so having easy access to your money for withdrawals is very important. Managing your finances will also become much simpler once you have a local account.

Most banks in Thailand do not allow you to open an account online. You will need to visit a bank branch in person to open your account. When you go, you must bring certain documents, usually your visa and your passport. Some banks might ask for other papers, such as proof that you live in Thailand (Thai residency) or proof that you own property there. It’s best to check directly with the bank you choose beforehand to know exactly what they require.

You should also ask if you can keep your UK bank account open while you are living in Thailand, as this is often important for receiving funds or managing finances back home. As an alternative to a traditional bank account, you could look into a service like the Wise account. It allows you to send, receive, and spend money in many different currencies, including British pounds and Thai baht. While it’s not a bank account, it offers many similar features that are useful for expats. If you eventually decide to move again or keep financial ties, you might even consider options like keeping your Thai number if living abroad.

How Can You Find a Job in Thailand?

Many expats often secure a job before they arrive in Thailand, as having employment can help them get the right visa. Both the Non-immigrant visa (specifically the ‘B’ category) and the SMART visa are often dependent on having a job offer or a business plan. This means that your work situation directly affects your ability to get a Thai visa UK and stay long-term.

However, some smaller companies might not want to deal with the paperwork involved in hiring foreigners and helping them apply for visas. But do not let this discourage you, as there are many ways to find finding a job in Thailand. Numerous job search websites and recruitment agencies can help you find employment. For example, JobsDB and JobThai are very popular online platforms for finding jobs. Recruitment firms like Hays and RECRUITdee can also provide expert help in connecting you with suitable employers.

If you are a business-minded person, you could also think about starting a business in Thailand. This path offers another way to secure your visa and live in the country. Many people choose this route to create their own opportunities.

When applying for jobs, keeping your original UK phone number can be very helpful for interviews and contacts. Find out more about how you can keep your UK number abroad.

What Should You Know About Renting or Buying Property in Thailand?

Finding a suitable place to live is one of the most important tasks when you start a new life in a different country. Whether you are renting or buying property in Thailand, you will likely need to be patient. The process can take some time, and it’s worth exploring your options carefully.

Even if you only plan to rent, it is often a good idea to hire a real estate agent. An expert agent can help you understand the local market, guide you through the rental agreements, and find exactly what you are looking for. They can save you a lot of time and effort.

If you want to get an idea of the types of apartments and houses available, here are some popular property websites in Thailand:

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

If you are interested in buying property, there are specific rules for foreigners. Generally, foreigners are not allowed to directly buy land in Thailand. The main way around this rule is to set up a private limited company where Thai citizens own more than 50% of the company. However, foreigners can buy apartments and condominiums without any major problems or extra steps. This makes buying an apartment a much simpler process than buying land for those moving to Thailand from the UK.

Checklist for Moving to Thailand from the UK

Here is a clear checklist for moving to Thailand to help you organize your relocation:

• Research Visa Options: Look into all the available visa types, choose the one that fits your situation, gather all the required documents, and then apply for your visa.
• Find a Place to Live: Start searching for an apartment or house. You might need to travel to Thailand specifically to view properties before you commit.
• Plan Your Belongings: Research and get price quotes for shipping your belongings from the UK to Thailand.
• Look into Thai Banks: Find banks in Thailand that meet your needs and understand what documents they require to open an account.
• Consider Health Insurance: Look into getting a private health insurance policy to ensure you have good medical coverage while living there.
• Inform HMRC: Tell HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) that you are leaving the UK to live abroad. This is important for your tax situation.
• Book Your Flight: Once everything else is in place, book your flight to Thailand.

Remember that managing your phone number is a key part of your move. Consider the differences between eSIM vs physical SIM when keeping your number to make the best choice for your needs.

Save on Your Relocation Costs to Thailand with Wise

Before you moving to Thailand from the UK, you will likely have many costs to cover. Some of these, such as payments for real estate, visa application fees, and rental deposits, will need to be sent across borders from the UK to Thailand.

By opening a Wise account, you can send money between the UK and Thailand with low, clear fees and at the mid-market exchange rate, which is the fair rate you see on Google. While Wise is not a bank account, it offers many useful features similar to what a bank provides.

You can also continue using Wise once you arrive in your new home. For example, you can spend money in THB right after you step off the plane using your contactless Wise card. This card works in over 150 countries and automatically converts your pounds to the local currency whenever you make a purchase. It only adds a small, upfront currency conversion fee, helping you save money on international spending.

Related reading

• Moving to China from the UK: Complete Guide for British Citizens
• Having a Baby in Australia: A Cost Guide for UK Expats