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How to buy a condo in Thailand as a foreigner
Thailand remains one of the most attractive destinations for individuals seeking a tropical lifestyle, long-term residency options, or a secure investment. The country’s strong real estate market and high demand for condominiums continue to attract international buyers. However, buying a condo in Thailand as a foreigner is governed by strict legal rules, primarily under the Condominium Act B.E. 2522, which sets out the ownership rights and limitations applicable to foreign nationals.
Under this law, foreigners may own a freehold condominium unit, provided that the foreign quota of the building does not exceed 49% of the total saleable area and that the purchase funds are transferred from abroad in accordance with Bank of Thailand regulations. Despite this accessible legal framework, buying a condo in Thailand as a foreigner still requires careful due diligence, a clear understanding of the market, and verification of the property’s legal compliance to avoid significant risks.
As such, foreign buyers can rely on our cabinet to assist with the entire legal process. We help review the title deed, condominium juristic documents, developer licenses, and all Land Office requirements to ensure that buying a condo in Thailand as a foreigner is secure, compliant, and fully aligned with Thai property law.
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What are the regulations when buying a condo in Thailand as a foreigner ?
Buying a condo in Thailand as a foreigner comes with several regulations and legal requisites. The following are several key areas relating to such regulations:
According to the set laws of the land, foreigners can own a condo unit in Thailand although subject to certain levels or limits . The law restricts foreigners to own or occupy up to 49% of the entire sellable area of a condo project. On their part, Thai people or juristic person are allowed to own or purchase the remaining 51%.
The law allows foreigners to purchase or own a condo unit. As a foreigner, you are eligible if: you are either a natural person or juristic person registered under Thailand’s law The funds used for such a purchase should be sourced from overseas and then converted into foreign currency and remitted back into Thailand.
The minimum area that you can register your ownership under foreign ownership must be majority over 25 square meters. However, this minimum area size depends on the unique regulations of the province or municipality where the property is located.
Thailand’s government requires every condominium project to establish a juristic person responsible for managing and maintaining some of the common areas and facilities. Therefore, as the condo owner, you automatically become a member or stakeholder in this juristic person with specific rights and responsibilities.
Before considering a purchase, conduct thorough due diligence on the property and check its title. This is to ascertain that there is no apparent encumbrance, mortgage, or any other legal impediments to ownership.
When buying a condo in Thailand as a foreigner, you must sign various documents and contracts, such as the purchase agreement. Engage a lawyer to help you read through and ascertain that these contracts and legal soundness.
Only a full transfer of ownership can be done if the buyer and seller finish the required document. Payment will require the buyer to pay transfer fees, which are a percentage of the property’s appraised value. Other taxes may include specific business tax and stamp duty taxes.
Please note that these laws may be changed, it is therefore always essential to engage a qualified legal professional familiar with the prevailing guidelines and laws before buying a condo in Thailand as a foreigner.
Taxes to consider when buying a condo in Thailand as a foreigner
As of 2025, foreign buyers must consider several updated taxes and administrative fees when buying a condo in Thailand. The transfer fee remains set at 2% of the government-appraised value, usually shared between buyer and seller unless agreed otherwise. If the seller has owned the unit for less than five years, a Specific Business Tax (SBT) of 3.3% applies; otherwise, the transaction is subject to stamp duty at 0.5%. Withholding tax is also collected at the Land Office: 1% if the seller is a company, or a progressive rate if the seller is an individual. In addition to these transfer-related taxes, owners must now comply with the Land and Building Tax Act B.E. 2562, which imposes an annual property tax ranging from 0.02% to 0.10% of the appraised value, depending on the condo’s use. These revised 2025 liabilities mean that it is imperative for overseas purchasers to receive proper fiscal calculations and expert legal advice to ensure full compliance with the these and prevent surprises down the line.
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What are the requirements when purchasing a condo in Thailand ?
Can foreigners buy a condo in Thailand ?
A condo in Thailand can be purchased by a foreigner. According to the Condominium Act 2008 as amended in 2018, both individual foreign persons and foreign juristic persons sellable title to a condominium unit regardless of any restrictions described in the title deed. The following are the most important takeaways from the law which allows investors buying a condo in Thailand as a foreigner:
There is a 49% cap on foreign ownership in the overall sellable area of a condominium project. The remaining 51 % must be owned by Thai individuals or Thai juristic persons .
The following are qualifying owners: Individual or juristic persons who are subject to Thai law registering as individual or juristic persons who make use of money received from overseas that has been repatriated to Thailand in the form of foreign currency .
Possession of land, single-detached homes, or other forms of property in Thailand is limited to condo unit. In general, foreign persons are prohibited from owning land in Thailand, with several key exceptions .
Registration in the name of the foreign buyer can be registered as the title deed owner of the condominium unit, giving ownership rights and interests. The registration takes place at the local Land Department office.
A foreign buyer becomes a member of the condominium juristic person after the designation goes through the process. The juristic person is in charge of the development and management of the common property and entities of the project.
Therefore, the foreigner can own a condo unit in Thailand as long as the legal requirement of the using source of the funding and the registration of the owner is met. Thus, obtaining legal advice from a legal expert about Thai real estate should avoid excessive scrutiny.
For comprehensive information on property ownership regulations and the legal process of purchasing a condominium in Thailand, you can consult the Department of Lands’ official website.
Conclusion
Purchasing a condominium in Thailand by a foreigner is still the easiest and safest way to buy property in their own name. The Condominium Act B.E. 2522 offers transparency in terms of Foreigner full freehold ownership by applicable to certain conditions regarding mutual hold rights for foreign quota and fund transfer from abroad be made.
However, despite these favourable regulations, buying a condo in Thailand as a foreigner requires careful due diligence. Title verification, condominium governance, developer reliability, and Land Office formalities must all be reviewed to avoid legal or financial risks.
Our cabinet assists buyers throughout the entire process to ensure a legally compliant, transparent, and secure acquisition. With proper guidance, your investment in Thailand can be both safe and strategically beneficial.
If you are considering buying a condo in Thailand as a foreigner, you can book a free consultation with our team to discuss your project and receive tailored legal guidance at every step.
FAQ
Yes. Buying a condo in Thailand as a foreigner is permitted under the Condominium Act B.E. 2522, provided the building’s foreign ownership quota does not exceed 49% and the purchase funds are transferred from abroad.
No visa is required specifically for buying a condo in Thailand as a foreigner. However, a valid visa may be needed for long-term stays or for completing certain administrative procedures.
When buying a condo in Thailand as a foreigner, funds must be transferred from overseas in foreign currency, and the bank must issue a Foreign Exchange Transaction Form (FETF). This document is required for registration at the Land Office.
Yes. Buyers must account for transfer fees, stamp duty or specific business tax, and withholding tax depending on the seller’s profile. These costs apply equally when buying a condo in Thailand as a foreigner.
Foreigners have full freehold rights over their unit when buying a condo in Thailand, but they cannot own the land on which the condominium is built.
Not automatically. Buying a condo in Thailand as a foreigner does not grant residency or a long-term visa. Several visa categories exist, but property ownership alone does not confer immigration benefits.
Absolutely. Thai property law is highly specific, and buying a condo in Thailand as a foreigner involves legal checkpoints such as title search, contract review, compliance checks, and Land Office procedures. Our law firm ensures full legal protection during the acquisition.