Moving to Thailand with my family?
Dear readers,
Hello, we are a family of 5 people. I am 32, my husband is 35 and I have 3 kids aged 9, 2,5 and 7 months. I have been wanting to leave the Netherlands for years, I have been working as a freelancer for about 2 years now and have reached a point where I earn approximately an above-average monthly salary per week, I also have various passive income streams.
Basically my idea is just sell everything, pack up and go and see if I want to stay there and for how long. Is such a thing possible? Because you cannot really emigrate, but have to renew your visa every time? Is my wish realistic? Is this just possible? Can I go there and start a new life?
So my income is not a problem, because in addition to my own work, I also take courses where I teach people to achieve the same, so this course will really go to the next level if I change my location and show what is feasible. We would like to settle in Phuket and have already found a school for our eldest son.
I'd love to hear some advice from you.
Regards,
Denise
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Everything is possible. As long as your income is enough, I don't see any problems.
I do have a tip for you: invest as little as possible in Thailand (rent instead of buy a house), so that if you don't like life in Thailand, you can simply emigrate back to the Netherlands without much damage.
And why should only a sufficient income be important to be able to stay in Thailand for a long time without any problems?
Denise, what do you mean by 'not really emigrating'? You immediately leave the Netherlands, so you emigrate. You move your residence to another country and that is emigration.
Can you immigrate to Thailand? Immigrate is to settle somewhere from another country. So yes. You become a resident of Thailand, certainly also 'sell everything' from a tax perspective, and even as a real resident if you go through that procedure. But you do have to get an extension every year, although you can agree on a different regime with a capital injection.
But which visa? For that, I would read this blog carefully through the hundreds of visa questions. You may need a work permit because you want to teach courses in Thailand. I would really ask if there are any obstacles on the road there, and that can also be done in this blog.
You probably already know that you cannot take your health insurance with you. You have already made the choice for Phuket. Beautiful island and full of Russians…
Denise everything is possible...but everything can also turn out completely different than you expect. I had my daughter with a Thai name not be required to go to school...still four and a half, six months with me in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia...until she was five. We were in Thailand the most...especially in and around PKK, does not mean Phuket...in 2014 still a quiet town Prachuap Kiri Khan.
You only start a new life if the old one can be thrown on the scrap heap. Another life does not necessarily start in another country. Everything is possible, but you are the engine. Good luck.
Dear Dennis,
Never deregister from the Netherlands. The children are insured for free. Right to facilities that are not available in Thailand. First rent something in a neighborhood where for example the beach is nearby and a resort with a children's pool in the shade. Preferably with salt water. Where I have a house I am 10 minutes from the beach and a beautiful resort. The address is 89/5 Soi Najomtien 52, Na Jomtien, Sattahip, Chonburi, 20150 Na Jomtien, Thailand.https://sunset-village-beach-resort-pattaya.hotelmix.co.th/#lg=384800&slide=942938857
This photo is old because now the trees are much bigger. Even the large swimming pool is almost in the shade. The water is cool. 15 degrees colder due to a special technique. The houses are expensive, but you come to enjoy them.
If you have a drink you can swim for free in the pools and sea. If you want to buy you can.
Prices between 1 and 1,5 million baths with at least 3 bedrooms. Life here is also to be enjoyed. Another important tip: give your children good education according to Dutch law. Most educational institutions do not count here. Consult with your education officer about the options. My children have online school, among other things. Recognized by the Dutch state.
Does anyone have any questions or comments? [email protected]
Ad, Denise writes about emigrating; then you have to deregister from the Netherlands and that usually means the end of your healthcare policy. There are rules for that and they are there to be adhered to. Fraud with this is a crime and if discovered you will be in trouble. Could cost you a lot of money.
You can also take out health insurance policies if you live in Thailand and, especially for young people like this, it does not have to cost a fortune; Moreover, you make a choice about something and there are consequences. Denise can inquire at AA in Thailand and you can contact them in Dutch, also for other insurance policies.
AA in Thailand, Hua Hin, Phuket, Pattaya etc. has been taken over by Aliance, New Delhi India. They no longer do international insurance. AA World is also part of Aliance but does. In case of calamities there seems to be a whole team ready. AA World has made a good impression on me so far. They do not have an office in Thailand.
For a family with three children, international insurance is really expensive. And what the children are missing, international schools are almost unaffordable. You have to contact them because Thai schools have a questionable level, also applies to Thai universities!
SUCCESS. (look before you leap)
A house in Jomtien with 3 bedrooms for 1.5 million baht, as I would like to see, we pay more just for the construction alone and not on the sea.
I don't know how many times you have already visited and experienced Thailand, but coming to live here is not an easy thing to do, money alone will not get you there, it requires a lot of flexibility, patience, dealing with a different mentality, road traffic... hassle with visa extension every year , and that with children, to secure their future, international schools are recommended, but they are very expensive. Look before you leap, good luck
Dear Dennis,
Answering your question is a headache. To start with, your stay as a family in Thailand for a longer period of time. You emigrate from NL and immigrate in TH. If you want longer than one year, an extension of your stay must be requested. If you meet the financial conditions, your extension of stay is simply a fact.
But I'm wondering on the basis of which visa you want to realize that stay? I assume that you do not want to go to TH as tourists, you do not report whether you have Thai family there, on the grounds of 'retirement' it is not possible because you are not yet 50 years old, you are not sent by an NGO, nor do you have a work permit.
Is it possible on the basis of Non Immigrant O-OA? I am not aware of an age restriction, you must have 800K ThB in a bank account or demonstrate a monthly income of ThB 65K. It seems to me from your information that income is insured for both the application and the extensions of stay. In that case, your husband and children could piggyback on your visa as 'dependent'. They do not have to meet any financial requirements themselves.
But to be sure, please check with Thailandblog visa resource RonnyLatYa via the contact form. https://www.thailandblog.nl/contact/
You report a 3-part income: 1- passive sources of income. (Check whether these are sufficient to meet the Immigration requirements). 2- as a freelancer, and 3- as a course provider.
Remember that as a foreigner you are not allowed to work in Thailand. The general rule is that a foreigner may never do work, which a Thai could also do. If you do, there are unpleasant consequences. A second mandatory rule is that you always need a work permit. Without a 'work permit' no labor/work/performance/task/action for the purpose of earning income may be performed.
You are dealing with 1- the 'Foreign Employment Act (Amend. 1978)': it regulates in a rather strict manner that a foreigner who wants to work must have a work permit, but obtaining one is a complicated issue.
2- the 'Foreign Business Act 1999': explains in which sectors a foreigner can and may not work. Added are appendices with prohibited activities, of which no. 21 of list 3 often applies.
Working as a freelancer is similar to being a 'digital nomad'. You also need a work permit for this in Thailand. Teaching or taking courses is in any case out of the question, unless you work by invitation and/or in the employ of a training institute located in TH. They will then arrange the work permit and the required Visa B. How your family fits into this is a question for RonnyLatYa.
A final note: in TH you are subject to the Thai tax regime. https://www.rd.go.th/english/index-eng.html
Please let us know how you are doing in your search for possibilities.
O – OA – OX are all from 50 years of age.
Denise and Herman B, if you live in Thailand with (partly) Dutch income, you primarily fall under the scope of the NL-TH tax treaty. Furthermore, Thai legislation comes into play. Dutch legislation also remains in force in some areas.
You're forgetting a very important thing. Many people think that everything is cheap in Thailand, but that is really not the case. But one thing is very expensive: good education for the children. Nist International School will cost you a total of 1 million baht for a 3-year-old, which is 1.4 euros per year. Look here for the calculation https://www.international-schools-database.com/in/bangkok/nist-international-school-bangkok/fees
The cheap Thai education is not good compared to the Netherlands.
Insurance is also very expensive if there are five people.
If you have 3 children, the Netherlands is the best option.
Maybe this will help you.
https://www.facebook.com/BaanThaiSolutions
Good luck!
Considering your age (32 and 35) and that you will not be working for a company (work permit), the chances of staying in Thailand for a long period of time do not seem that great to me.
You may be able to stay if you can prove that your children attend school there. You can then obtain an extension of your period of stay based on your children attending school there.
Then goes through this extension
11. Visa extension – In the case of being a family member of an alien who has been permitted a temporary stay in the Kingdom for study in an educational institution according to Clauses 2.8 or 2.9 hereof (applicable only to parents, spouse, children, adopted children, or spouse's children):
You must have at least 500 Baht in your account in Thailand
“In the case of parents, funds must be deposited in a bank in Thailand, under the father's or the mother's name, of no less than Baht 500,000 for the past three months. For the first year only, the applicant must have proof of a deposit account in which said amount of funds has been maintained for no less than 30 days prior to the filing date.”
https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/visa-extension/#1610937186137-c021ebcc-a224
But it is best to contact immigration there for more details.
Another option and if you want to spend the money on it is to contact Thailand Elite.
https://www.thailandeelite.com/en
Have possibilities for a family and no age limit. Costs something of course.
Be careful when working and if you do not have the correct proof such as a work permit.
Don't start that. Not only you can be expelled outside Thailand, but also your entire family...
And I don't really need to tell you that a family of 5 has pretty good health insurance.
Dear Dennis,
Interesting question, which ties in with my orientation.
I am currently delving into copywriting, and then I want to earn my money online.
You write that you are a freelancer, may I ask what you do?
Greetings, Marcel
What a nice intention Denise. It makes me happy. It will enrich your life and for the children such a life will be of inestimable value. Just do it but prepare yourself because I do not read that in your story. I see different people who see bears on the road appearing but you can very well avoid that. How long you can stay in Thailand you can ask at a visa agency in the Netherlands and if Thailand suits you, you can for example become part-time employed (or your husband) and in that way obtain a status by means of a work permit. Thailand has become the most expensive country in terms of income tax from 1 January (for as long as it lasts) so bring as little as possible to this country. If you stay here for less than 180 days for now, you do not have to file a tax return because you are not a tax resident. Time will tell. Most expensive in the world because the top rate is for example 35% and no social provision is returned for this as in the Netherlands. Then the health care costs. When I estimate your/your income, you quickly pay 700 euros per month in the Netherlands. (health insurance premiums). ++++++Ref: As a self-employed person, you must pay a percentage premium for the Zvw on the taxable profit of your company. The amount of this premium is determined annually. In 2024, the percentage is 5,32% on a maximum of € 71.628 taxable profit. The maximum in 2024 is therefore € 3.810.21 Mar 2024. +++++++++ For example, at Oom insurance you have a great in- and outpatient worldwide coverage policy for this money. Anyway; Win all the information you can as you have done now. A series from the Bitcoin family is currently running on Primevideo or videoland. They have already visited 42 countries and lived there for a short or long time. Thailand is also on their list. I recommend that documentary to you. Taxes, health care and homeschooling are things. It is all gradually becoming clearer. Good luck 🙂
Asking a Dutch visa agency to find out how long you can stay in Thailand seems like bad advice to me. Relying on the Thai regulations, supplemented if necessary with the explanation of our visa expert here on this blog, is a much better way. Not that there is much prospect of long-term residence, because the person asking the question simply does not meet the requirements. And becoming employed, as you suggest, is also only possible for a very limited number of professions.
Kor, what do you want us to believe? I quote 'Thailand has become approximately the most expensive country in terms of income tax from January 1 (for as long as it lasts), so bring as little as possible to this country. If you have stayed here for less than 180 days, you do not have to file a tax return because you are not a tax resident.'
Both sentences are incorrect and in my opinion indicate that you have not researched the subject and/or are not following this blog attentively.
Lammert de Haan and I explained here that the Thai government has indicated that treaties will be respected. I have further pointed out to readers that the 180-day rule is the Thai legal text, but that the treaty, in particular Article 4, the domicile article, takes precedence.
Yes, there are still obstacles in the way, especially Article 23, paragraph 5, of the treaty, and the Thai advisory community still expects an explanation from 'Bangkok' about the 60 treaties that this country has concluded. There are also terrifying stories in the internet media, but I don't know what they are based on. 'Hearsay' I think.
I would hate it if readers were misled. Just wait and see, and as far as Article 23(5) is concerned, I am working on it and will discuss it with Lammert. I haven't been to Heerenveen in a long time...
because in addition to my own work, I also take courses where I teach people to achieve the same, so this course will really go to the next level if I change my location and show what is feasible.
It seems like you want to convince people at courses and prove it by changing your location.
Whether this is feasible depends on your personal circumstances.
There are many influencers active on the internet who also try to generate an income.
The feasibility of this of course depends on the number of clicks and followers.
If you can continue your own freelance work in Thailand and earn a monthly wage in a week, then it must be financially possible to build a life there.
Make sure you do your homework regarding visas/insurance/work permits, etc.
Good luck,
Let's see how it goes.
Annemarie