Retire in Phuket: Visa, Money, Insurance and Monthly Cost
You can retire in Phuket from age 50. The one-year retirement extension asks for THB 800,000 in a Thai bank, income of THB 65,000 a month, or income plus deposit totalling THB 800,000. The LTR Wealthy Pensioner visa asks for passive income of USD 80,000 a year.
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Retiring in Phuket starts with a choice between two routes. Both start at age 50, and the money test decides which fits.
| Retirement extension | LTR Wealthy Pensioner | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 50 | 50 |
| Money test | THB 800,000 in a Thai bank, THB 65,000 a month, or both | USD 80,000 a year |
| Permission | No more than 1 year at a time | 5 years, extendable by 5 |
| Government fee | THB 1,900 | THB 50,000 |
| Reporting | Every 90 days | Once a year |
The extension needs a non-immigrant visa first. The next section shows which ones exist.
Which visa you arrive on
A Non-Immigrant O (retirement) visa holder may stay in Thailand for 90 days. An O-A holder may stay 1 year. An O-X holder may stay up to 10 years with multiple entries.
O-X for listed nationalities
O-X runs 5 years from first entry, with an option to extend for a further 5 years. You must be a national of Australia, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland or the United States.
The funds test is one of two options. Option 1 is THB 3 million deposited in a Thai bank. Option 2 is THB 1.8 million in a Thai bank plus income of THB 1.2 million a year.
The retirement extension at Phuket Immigration
The extension is permission to stay for no more than 1 year at a time. The criteria come from Order 12/2568. You file in person at the Phuket Immigration Office, 482 Phuket Rd., Talad Yai, Mueang, Phuket 83000.
Money routes
| Route | What you show |
|---|---|
| Income | Evidence of income of at least THB 65,000 a month |
| Deposit | At least THB 800,000 in a Thai bank |
| Combined | Income during the year plus Thai bank deposit totalling at least THB 800,000 as of the filing date |
For the deposit route, the money stays in the account at least 2 months before filing and at least 3 months after permission is granted. Three months after permission you may withdraw, but at least THB 400,000 must stay.
Documents and fee
- Form TM.7.
- A copy of your passport.
- Evidence of income such as pension, interest or dividends.
- A certificate of deposit from a commercial bank in Thailand and a copy of the bank account.
The fee is THB 1,900 per extension. The office phone is 0 7622 1905. It is closed on Saturday and Sunday and on national public holidays.
If you are refused
If you do not meet the criteria, you must leave within 7 days of the day permission ended.
Hours and the other service points are in the Phuket Immigration Office guide. Forms and the queue are in retirement extension in Phuket.
The LTR Wealthy Pensioner visa
The LTR visa has four categories. Wealthy Pensioners are retirees aged 50 and older with an annual pension or stable passive income.
- Passive income of at least USD 80,000 a year at the time of application.
- If income is below USD 80,000 but at least USD 40,000, an additional investment of USD 250,000.
- Health insurance of at least USD 50,000, or social security benefits in Thailand, or a deposit of at least USD 100,000 in a bank account.
Permission is for 5 years, extendable by 5 more if the qualifications are still met. The processing fee is THB 50,000 per person when you collect the visa in Thailand.
LTR holders report once a year instead of every 90 days. They file TM.95 in place of TM.47. The full guide is LTR visa in Phuket.
Health insurance cover you may need
| Route | Cover |
|---|---|
| Extension, O-A holders | USD 100,000 or THB 3,000,000 for the whole stay |
| LTR Wealthy Pensioner | USD 50,000, or the alternatives above |
For the extension, only holders of a Non-Immigrant O-A visa must have health insurance. A Thai policy carries proof of insurance in the form the insurance regulator approves, and you can check it on longstay.tgia.org.
A foreign policy needs certification from your embassy in Thailand or a notarised signature certification from your foreign ministry. As of January 2025, an insurer may refuse cover in full or in part. Then you need at least THB 3,000,000 in a Thai bank for at least 2 months before filing.
Policy types and what pays are in health insurance for expats in Phuket.
What healthcare costs
Bangkok Hospital Phuket publishes its room rates per night. The last column adds the room rate, three meals, nurse service and hospital service.
| Room | Room rate | Four lines together |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Private (Ward 5A) | THB 5,950 | THB 13,850 |
| VIP Room (Ward 5A) | THB 10,300 | THB 19,850 |
| VIP Private Room (Ward 3B) | THB 13,000 | THB 22,550 |
| ICU, CCU, SICU | THB 5,200 | THB 17,600 |
Deposit and insurance
For elective surgery or inpatient admission, a deposit of around 80% of the estimated cost is typically required unless the hospital holds a Letter of Guarantee from your insurer. Check that your policy is valid for your stay and that a direct billing agreement exists.
With your consent, the hospital asks your insurer for a Guarantee of Payment once it holds your documents, a medical report and a price estimate. It does not offer periodic instalments.
More prices are in Phuket hospital costs for foreigners. Hospitals with English-speaking staff are in English-speaking hospitals in Phuket.
Monthly budget for one person
Rent, food and transport come from Numbeo, a crowd-sourced site. Its Phuket figures rest on 479 entries and are city-wide, not area prices. Health insurance is not in these totals.
| Line | Lean | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | THB 15,600.00 | THB 24,466.67 |
| Utilities | THB 3,299.62 | THB 3,299.62 |
| Internet | THB 577.26 | THB 577.26 |
| Mobile | THB 376.67 | THB 376.67 |
| Food | THB 9,000.00 | THB 16,232.1 |
| Transport | THB 1,000.00 | THB 5,500.00 |
| Fitness | none | THB 1,756.66 |
| Total | THB 29,853.55 | THB 52,208.98 |
How the lines are built
Lean rent is a one-bedroom outside the centre; comfortable rent is one in the centre. Lean food is two inexpensive meals a day at THB 150 each for a month. Comfortable food is one mid-range meal a day, half of the THB 1,082.14 price for two.
Lean transport is twenty Smart Bus Route 2 rides at the THB 50 flat fare. Comfortable transport is twenty taxi rides of five kilometres, at a THB 100 start and THB 35 per kilometre. The full breakdown is in Phuket cost of living.
Reports and leaving Thailand
A foreigner on temporary stay notifies an immigration officer of the residence every 90 days. Reports may be made from 15 days before until 7 days after the due date. An online notice closes 7 days before the due date. A late report is made in person with a THB 2,000 fine.
Leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit means the temporary stay permit has expired. A single re-entry permit costs THB 1,000 and a multiple one THB 3,800. Details are in the report guide and the re-entry permit guide.
Where to live and what to read next
Pick an area by your situation in where to live in Phuket. Side-by-side tables are in Phuket areas compared. Rental steps are in renting an apartment in Phuket, and ownership rules are in buying a condo in Phuket as a foreigner.
Next in this journey: retirement extension, then the regular address report, then the address notice, then the LTR visa.
Not confirmed: Renewal deposit rules and the accepted age of the bank letter. Premiums for older applicants. The Thailand Elite Visa is not covered here.
Common questions
How old must I be to retire in Phuket?
At least 50 for the retirement extension and for the LTR Wealthy Pensioner visa.
How much money does the retirement extension need?
One of three routes: income of THB 65,000 a month, THB 800,000 in a Thai bank, or income plus deposit totalling THB 800,000.
Do I need health insurance for the extension?
Only aliens holding a Non-Immigrant O-A visa must have it, with cover of USD 100,000 or THB 3,000,000 for the whole stay.
What does the LTR Wealthy Pensioner visa ask for?
Passive income of USD 80,000 a year at the time of application. Between USD 40,000 and USD 80,000 you also invest USD 250,000.
How much is a month in Phuket?
A lean month for one person is about THB 29,853.55 and a comfortable one about THB 52,208.98, before health insurance.
Does a hospital ask for a deposit?
Bangkok Hospital Phuket usually asks for a deposit around 80% of the estimate for elective surgery or admission, unless it holds a Letter of Guarantee.
What do I report after retiring in Phuket?
A foreigner on temporary stay notifies the address every 90 days. LTR holders report once a year.
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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