Thailand reduced visa-free entry to 30 days: what this means for Phuket real estate investors

Thailand reduced visa-free entry to 30 days — and this is good news for investors

From May 20, 2025, visa-free entry to Thailand was reduced from 60 to 30 days. At first glance — a restriction. In reality — a market signal: it's time to transition from tourism to ownership.

Who does this actually matter to?

For the average tourist — practically nothing has changed. The average vacation duration in Thailand is 2–3 weeks. And if you need more — you can extend your stay for another 30 days right in the country.

But if you:

• Visit Thailand regularly — 2–4 times a year
• Want to spend 1–3 months here in winter
• Consider Phuket as a second home or a work base

...then visa rules directly affect your lifestyle. And here a smarter option appears.

What long-term solutions provide

Instead of counting days and worrying about rules, Phuket property owners get:

Long-term visas — retirement, elite Thailand Elite (up to 20 years), investment. All of them give the right to live in the country without visa hassles.

Own housing — instead of paying 3,000–8,000 ฿ per day for an Airbnb rental every time, you live in your own. This is comparable to a return on investment in just 5–7 years.

Passive income — while you are not on the island, an apartment or condo brings 6–10% per annum under management. Phuket is one of the most popular resort destinations in Southeast Asia with an occupancy rate of 70–85% in season.

Currency asset — real estate in Phuket is denominated in Thai baht and dollars. Market growth over the past 5 years has been 40–60% in a number of locations.

Why right now?

Visa rules in Thailand have already changed several times over the past few years — and will change again. This is not scary if you are an owner: you always have tools for legal long-term stay.

The Phuket real estate market continues to grow. According to analysts, the island remains one of the top 5 resort markets in Asia in terms of price growth rates. Demand from Russian, European, and Asian buyers remains consistently high.

If you come to Thailand for a month or two every year — it's time to calculate: how much have you already paid for other people's apartments?

How can a foreigner buy real estate in Phuket?

Foreign citizens can legally own:

• A condominium (apartment) under the foreign quota — up to 49% of the building's area. Full ownership rights, freehold.
• A villa or house through a long-term land lease (leasehold) for 30 years with the right to renew, or through a Thai company.

The minimum entry budget is from $80,000–100,000 for a studio in a good location. Installment plans from developers — 0% for the entire construction period.

Summary

Visa rules have changed — and this is a reminder: a tourist depends on the country's legislation. A property owner lives by different rules.

If you have been thinking about buying property in Phuket for a long time, but kept postponing — now is a good time to calculate the real numbers.

Our experts will help: we will select a property for your budget and scenario, check the legal purity, and conduct the transaction remotely — if needed.