Health Insurance for Expats in Phuket: What You Need
O-A retirement visa holders must have health insurance of at least USD 100,000 or THB 3,000,000 for the whole stay, under Immigration Order 12/2568 clause 2.22(6). The O-X needs THB 400,000 inpatient cover, and the LTR USD 50,000 or an alternative. Hospitals ask for a guarantee of payment before treatment.
On this page
Hospitals in Thailand ask for a guarantee of payment before they treat you. Premium figures further down are one insurer’s published table, not a market survey.
Visas with an insurance rule
The rule depends on the visa. The Non-Immigrant O-A retirement visa needs health insurance of at least USD 100,000, or THB 3,000,000, including COVID-19 cover, valid for the whole stay. This applies to O-A holders only, under Immigration Order 12/2568 clause 2.22(6).
| Visa | Cover asked for |
|---|---|
| O-A, Immigration Order 12/2568 | USD 100,000 or THB 3,000,000 |
| O-A at Oslo | USD 100,000 or THB 3,000,000 |
| O-A at Los Angeles | THB 3,000,000 or USD 100,000 per policy year |
| O-X | Inpatient THB 400,000 |
| LTR (all four categories) | USD 50,000, or social security, or a deposit |
O-A long-stay visa
The Oslo embassy asks for cover that includes COVID-19 treatment for the whole stay in Thailand. The Los Angeles consulate asks for COVID-19 cover per policy year.
Some embassy pages still show the old THB 40,000 outpatient and THB 400,000 inpatient figures. They no longer apply. The current figure is USD 100,000 or THB 3,000,000 for the whole stay.
Buy a policy that meets USD 100,000 or THB 3,000,000. A THB 400,000 plan does not meet it.
The Los Angeles consulate accepts a Thai or a foreign insurer. A foreign insurer must also provide a Foreign Insurance Certificate, completed, signed and stamped by the insurance company. The Los Angeles consulate page points to the TGIA list of participating Thai insurers at longstay.tgia.org.
Retirement extension
A Phitsanulok immigration handbook says only holders of Non-Immigrant O-A visas must have health insurance for the retirement extension.
O-X visa
The Oslo embassy page for the O-X asks for Thai health insurance with inpatient cover of THB 400,000.
LTR visa
Every LTR category asks for health insurance of at least USD 50,000, or social security benefits in Thailand, or a deposit of at least USD 100,000. The deposit must be held for at least 12 months as of the date of application.
For LTR dependants the alternative is an additional deposit of at least USD 25,000 per person. The BOI announcement is stated as taking effect on 4 February 2025.
What a plan costs
Insurers rarely publish rates. One that does is Chubb Samaggi, whose long-stay brochure (file dated 2 March 2026) sells inpatient cover from THB 400,000 and outpatient from THB 40,000 per policy year. It carries a deductible starting at THB 100,000, and its yearly maximum is THB 440,000 to 660,000 depending on the plan.
Net premium per person per year, with the deductible at THB 100,000:
| Age | Plan 1 | Plan 2 | Plan 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-50 | THB 7,900 | THB 9,900 | THB 11,900 |
| 51-60 | THB 11,900 | THB 16,500 | THB 19,300 |
| 61-70 | THB 15,200 | THB 20,800 | THB 26,400 |
| 71-80 | THB 22,700 | THB 31,200 | THB 39,600 |
The brochure says this is the standard premium for the first policy year only, and the renewal premium is adjusted for increasing age. This plan matches the 400,000 plus 40,000 structure, not the O-A minimum of USD 100,000 or THB 3,000,000. It is a brochure from a single insurer, so use it to size the budget, not to pick a plan.
Thai state cover: what a foreigner can use
Social security for employees (Section 33)
Section 33 is for employees. The employer registers the employee as an insured person within 30 days of starting work.
For a foreign employee the Social Security Office asks for a copy of the work permit plus a passport, an alien certificate or a pink ID card. The employer deducts the employee share on every pay day and remits an equal employer share.
The wage base for contributions is at least THB 1,650 and at most THB 17,500 a month from 1 January 2026. Foreign workers insured under Section 33 have the same medical treatment rights as Thai people.
If a doctor orders you off work, social security pays 50% of your wage for up to 90 days per episode and 180 days a year. In a critical emergency you do not pay in advance: the office covers the medical charges until you are out of danger, within 72 hours.
Social security does not replace an O-A or O-X policy, because those pages ask for a policy, not an employee scheme. The LTR is the exception: social security benefits in Thailand are one of its three options.
The national health security scheme is for Thai nationals
The national health security right has three qualifications. The first is being a person of Thai nationality. The second is a 13-digit identification number from the Department of Provincial Administration.
It is a right the government provides to every Thai person from birth. Foreign residents without Thai nationality do not meet the first qualification.
The NHSO emergency right (UCEP)
UCEP is a state-policy right for critical emergency patients. They are treated at the nearest hospital without charge until out of danger and safe to move, for no more than 72 hours. Nothing published says whether this covers non-Thai patients, and emergency treatment for foreigners is rarely free. Plan to pay or to claim on your own cover.
What hospitals ask for before treating you
UK advice says all hospitals require a guarantee of payment before treating patients. Treatment, even in an emergency, is rarely free of charge.
At a private hospital, self-funding patients will usually be asked for a cash deposit before treatment begins. Most private hospitals have an international liaison officer who can help liaise with insurers.
Before admission at Bangkok Hospital Phuket, check with your insurer that the policy is valid for your purposes and that it has a direct billing agreement with the hospital. Agreements with insurers can be extended, suspended or cancelled over time.
The international insurance department is on +66 7625 4425, +66 7636 1000 or +66 7665 5000, and billing questions go to the Cashier Department. Government facilities may charge a tourist or short-term visa holder higher fees than Thai nationals and foreign residents.
How to choose a plan: a checklist
- Match the visa. Use the table above and the embassy page for the country you apply from.
- Check the insurer. The Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) consumer menu at oic.or.th/en/consumer has a “license check” entry and lists the names and locations of life and non-life insurers.
- Disclose existing conditions. A claim may be refused if a pre-existing condition was not disclosed.
- Check motorbike cover. Accident cover may not apply if the bike is over 50cc or Thai road laws were not followed.
- Ask about direct billing. Ask your insurer which hospitals bill it directly, and ask the hospital before admission.
- Check repatriation. Repatriation is normally done through a repatriation company, with costs normally covered by travel insurance or personal funds.
The OIC hotline is 1186, with business hours of Monday to Friday 8.30-16.30.
UK advice says Thailand and the UK have no reciprocal healthcare agreement, and a UK-issued Global Health Insurance Card cannot be used in Thailand.
If you are hospitalised
Contact your insurance or medical assistance company quickly if you are referred to a medical facility. If you have travel insurance, contact the insurer as soon as you are hospitalised.
On discharge you are likely to be given a medical certificate with your diagnosis, a copy of your hospital bill and any medication prescribed. Keep receipts and medical reports, which you may need to claim reimbursement.
For hospitals, interpreters and the nearest ER, see English-speaking hospitals in Phuket. For the numbers to call, see Phuket emergency numbers. Visa background is in Phuket retirement extension.
Step by step
- Check the visa ruleFind the insurance amount for your visa and confirm it with the embassy handling your application.
- Register through your employer if you workAn employer registers an employee as an insured person within 30 days of starting work.
- Check the insurer's licenceThe OIC site has a licence check and lists life and non-life insurers.
- Disclose conditions and read the exclusionsA claim may be refused if a pre-existing condition was not disclosed.
- Keep the paperworkKeep receipts and medical reports for the claim.
Not confirmed: Whether the DTV or a tourist stay needs insurance: confirm with the embassy, and buy trip cover anyway because hospitals want payment first. Hospital prices: none published, so ask for an itemised quote.
Common questions
What health insurance is required for a Thailand O-A retirement visa?
At least USD 100,000 or THB 3,000,000, covering the whole stay. It applies to O-A holders only, under Immigration Order 12/2568 clause 2.22(6).
Does the O-A visa require health insurance?
Yes, for the O-A. It needs cover of at least USD 100,000, or THB 3,000,000, including COVID-19 treatment, for the whole stay. Some embassy pages still show the old THB 40,000 outpatient and THB 400,000 inpatient figures; they no longer apply.
Does the LTR visa require health insurance?
Every LTR category asks for one of three things. They are insurance of at least USD 50,000, social security benefits in Thailand, or a deposit of at least USD 100,000 held for no less than 12 months.
Does the retirement extension need insurance?
A Phitsanulok immigration handbook says only holders of Non-Immigrant O-A visas must have health insurance for the retirement extension.
Can a foreign employee use Thai social security?
An employee registered under Section 33 can, with a copy of the work permit. Insured foreign workers have the same medical treatment rights as Thai people.
Does the Thai national health security scheme cover foreigners?
No. The first qualification is being a person of Thai nationality.
Can I use my UK GHIC in Thailand?
No. Thailand and the UK have no reciprocal healthcare agreement, so a UK-issued Global Health Insurance Card cannot be used.
Will a hospital treat me before I pay?
UK advice says all hospitals require a guarantee of payment before treating patients, and treatment, even in an emergency, is rarely free of charge.
Read next
General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.
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Comments (4)
Akaleboss
Anyone to recommend a Health insurance around Phuket town I'm 35 years old from Europe and currently staying with a long term visa. If anyone could recommend me their experiences about it and which one stand out from others would be helpful
TaxLongjumping248
Have reviewed a lot of them and settled on Pacific Cross. But there are plenty of options out there. AXA came close.
Saarrex
Medical (mental specifically) health insurance in Thailand? Hello, I was hoping someone could point me to an insurance provider for people staying long term(6-12 months) in Thailand, be it international or local provider. Medical procedures aren't cheap here, and I was hoping to establish a monthly visit to a psychiatrist to deal with what I suspect to be a depressive episode with the help of appropriate medication. Would be very appreciative of any advice you guys could share. Thank You in advance.
ColdToesAtNight
Mental health really isn’t covered by any insurance policies here. Check out Raksa or Dr Anywhere for low-ish cost medical professional sessions. You can read up on the doctor’s experience before selecting to meet with them and can do so over chat, video, or phone call.