General information as of September 2026

Buying a condominium in Thailand as a foreigner

What to know before paying a deposit: what you can own, how the money has to arrive, and what the transfer day needs.

See listings marked foreign quota

What a foreigner can own

A foreigner can own a condominium unit outright, as long as the units owned by foreigners in that building together stay within 49% of its total unit floor area (Condominium Act B.E. 2522, section 19 bis).
A listing marked “foreign quota” is one its seller says can be transferred to a foreigner. Before paying anything, ask for a letter from the building's juristic person confirming the quota is still available.
Foreigners generally cannot own land (Land Code), so houses and townhouses are usually taken on a long lease, which can be registered for up to 30 years at a time (Civil and Commercial Code, section 540). A promise to renew is an agreement between the parties, not a right the law gives you.

The money has to come from abroad

The purchase money has to be sent into Thailand from abroad in a foreign currency and converted to baht by a Thai bank.
The bank issues a document confirming the money came in (a Foreign Exchange Transaction form or a bank letter), which the Land Office relies on to register the transfer. Give the purpose as buying a condominium unit, and keep the document.
The money can arrive in several transfers, as long as each has its document.

Costs on the transfer day

Transfer fee: 2% of the Land Department's appraised value.
Specific business tax of 3.3% if the seller has held the unit for less than five years; otherwise stamp duty of 0.5%.
Withholding income tax on the seller.
Who pays which part is agreed in the contract — write it down before paying a deposit.

Documents to have ready

Passport.
The bank's document confirming the money came from abroad.
A letter certifying the foreign ownership ratio, and a letter confirming no common fees are owed, from the building's juristic person.
The sale and purchase agreement.

Before you decide

Check the unit's title deed (Or.Chor.2): the seller's name should be the person you are dealing with, and it should carry no mortgage.
Owning a unit does not give you a visa or a right to work in Thailand.
Prices on this site are asking prices, not what anything sold for.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules and rates change; check with a lawyer or the Land Office before you buy.

What a foreigner can own

A foreigner can own a condominium unit outright, as long as the units owned by foreigners in that building together stay within 49% of its total unit floor area (Condominium Act B.E. 2522, section 19 bis).

A listing marked “foreign quota” is one its seller says can be transferred to a foreigner. Before paying anything, ask for a letter from the building's juristic person confirming the quota is still available.

Foreigners generally cannot own land (Land Code), so houses and townhouses are usually taken on a long lease, which can be registered for up to 30 years at a time (Civil and Commercial Code, section 540). A promise to renew is an agreement between the parties, not a right the law gives you.

The money has to come from abroad

The purchase money has to be sent into Thailand from abroad in a foreign currency and converted to baht by a Thai bank.

The bank issues a document confirming the money came in (a Foreign Exchange Transaction form or a bank letter), which the Land Office relies on to register the transfer. Give the purpose as buying a condominium unit, and keep the document.

The money can arrive in several transfers, as long as each has its document.

Costs on the transfer day

Transfer fee: 2% of the Land Department's appraised value.

Specific business tax of 3.3% if the seller has held the unit for less than five years; otherwise stamp duty of 0.5%.

Withholding income tax on the seller.

Who pays which part is agreed in the contract — write it down before paying a deposit.