Would like to get all the info to emigrate to Thailand?

By Submitted Message
Posted in Reader question
Tags:
June 5, 2019

Dear readers,

My name is Robin, man of almost 41 years. Through this way I would like to get all the information to emigrate to Thailand. I went here on holiday last year and traveled around, and yes I lost my heart too. So now I would like to see what the possibilities are to be able to live there permanently.

I am a single man (and will remain so for a while after a relationship of almost 15 years).

All info is welcome. Any questions are also welcome.

Regards,

Robin (BE)

39 responses to “Would like to get all the info to emigrate to Thailand?”

  1. eduard says up

    I don't know if you are Belgian or Dutch. If you deregister, you surrender 2% per year of state pension. This means that if you have reached the age for state pension, you will receive half of your state pension. At this age you can properly insure yourself against medical costs, but in most cases you will be kicked out at the age of 65. It also means that you have to deregister completely and can no longer claim anything from the country you are leaving.
    My advice to you is therefore, first look at it for a few years and stick to your own country for a while. You are young enough.

    • Any idea why there is BE after his name?

      • rori says up

        to be or not to be

  2. Dirk says up

    Dear Robin, at your age 41, Thailand is a fantastic country to go on holiday and put on rose-colored glasses. But living there permanently is a different story unless you have already built up assets that will last you the rest of your life. I don't think so... but you never know.
    Building a life and earning a decent income in Thailand is not easy. As a foreigner you are not allowed to work, even voluntary work is included. If you deregister in Be, you have to take out health insurance here, at your age without serious medical history, but a financial burden as the years go by. You don't want to commit to a woman just yet, but if you live here at your age, that will be a different story. Could be a nice story, but the failures are also numerous. And that costs mountains of money. In Thailand there is an unwritten law, with money, money, money, money, almost anything can exist without money. And again making money is almost impossible in Thailand.
    Finally, I wish you all the best, but I have seen a number of them leave, after about 10 years here, come to your age and return from poverty to the homeland..

  3. karel says up

    Well,

    1/. At the age of 41 you are far from being retired and you therefore lose 2% of your AOW every year. In other words, if you are 67 years old, you will only receive 50% of the AOW amount (if it still exists) from the Netherlands.
    2/ You have to pay your own healthcare costs, the Netherlands has one of the cheapest collective systems.
    In Thailand health insurance costs about 300 / 500 Euro per month.
    3/ Working for foreigners is NOT allowed, exceptions are; only professions that are needed, such as qualified English language teachers, or employees at foreign companies, but these are very limited, IKEA was only allowed to hire 3 foreign employees, for example,
    4/ Foreigners who have a job in Thailand must have a minimum salary of 65.000 Bhat per month, foreigners are very expensive for companies. A monthly salary for a Thai is about 9.000 / 12.000 per month.
    5/ A foreigner may not buy land.
    6/ A foreigner cannot own more than 49% of a company.
    7/ A foreigner must report every 90 days (too late 2.000 Bhat fine)
    8/ a Foreigner must have at least 800.000 Bhat in his bank account (as a guarantee)
    at overstay, you will be deported as a criminal.

    Tip; find a very nice Thai beauty and set up a company together for the export of goods from Thailand to Europe.

    Succes

    • Jack S says up

      I agree with you on everything, but the cost of health insurance needs to be added again. How is it possible that I was able to take out good insurance with AA in Hua Hin with 100% coverage, in and outbound and dental, which costs me 230 Euros per month. I took out insurance at 57.
      So why make up that 300 to 500?
      In addition, mine is not Thai, but German insurance, with which I am covered worldwide and, except in Germany.

      • karel says up

        sorry Jack,

        I will (have) adjusted my thought.

        Thanks for the contribution, because now Robin has a good overview of what to expect.
        Only I don't know the difference between a Belgian and a Dutch pension accrual.

    • DD says up

      2/ You have to pay your own healthcare costs, the Netherlands has one of the cheapest collective systems.
      In Thailand health insurance costs about 300 / 500 Euro per month.
      “One of the cheapest collective systems” is not what you read in all comparative studies by OECD and WHO. Still a good average.
      For a 41-year-old in Thailand perhaps around 100 Euro per month (in-patient only).

      3/ Working for foreigners is NOT allowed, exceptions are; only professions that are needed, such as qualified English language teachers, or employees at foreign companies, but these are very limited, IKEA was only allowed to hire 3 foreign employees, for example,
      “need” is very flexible, “manager” is always spot on. 1 work permit per million THB of registered capital and 5 Thai employees, so IKEA, to name just one example, could take on a lot more.

      4/ Foreigners who have a job in Thailand must have a minimum salary of 65.000 Bhat per month, foreigners are very expensive for companies. A monthly salary for a Thai is about 9.000 / 12.000 per month.
      50K for Western Europeans, Japanese, Australians… 45K for South Koreans, Singaporeans,… 35K for Eastern Europeans, Philippines, South Americans, Turks, Russians…. Must pay income tax based on that amount to get an annual extension (income can be lower as long as taxes are paid based on minimum amount).
      9-12K per month is the minimum, 24 is the national average.

      8/ a Foreigner must have at least 800.000 Bhat in his bank account (as a guarantee) in case of overstay, you will be deported as a criminal
      Only in case of retirement extension you need to have 800K in the bank. Extradition at overstay under certain conditions, if limited only 500THB per day.

    • Lung addie says up

      What does the AOW have to do with this? He is a BELGIAN and they do not know the AOW at all.
      ROBIN (BE) is listed as the contributor.

  4. Roof says up

    You will not get a retirement visa because you are still 50 years old.
    Furthermore, you cannot work in Thailand and try to earn money there. Many have tried that, but almost none have succeeded. I advise to apply for a 3 months visa in Belgium or 2 months with option yot extension. Then you get to know the country better. I don't think emigrating is a good idea. I do not know if you have already dried all the sheep financially because Thailand is certainly not cheap if you want to live a little nice.

  5. John Chiang Rai says up

    The fact that you have lost your heart after a holiday and a bit of traveling around Thailand, as you write, is not special in itself.
    It becomes tragic when you start to lose your mind too, so that you start doing things that are thoughtless, for which you will pay an expensive tuition later.
    The first question, if not the most important one, what are you going to live on, and how do you intend to arrange this with a work permit?
    Many who thought to start a restaurant or a bar with a possible Thai relationship, have been licking their financial wounds for a long time in Europe, without wanting to generalize.
    Those who did succeed, usually had a good piggy bank available, and found a good optician in time where he could exchange his rose-colored glasses for transparent ones.
    The good result of an immigration depends on various factors, whereby the sure money for living, starting capital, health insurance, etc. must certainly come from Europe in the beginning.
    Furthermore, because of the foreign language, you are dependent on a good and, above all, reliable partner.
    The sweet smile that most of us fall for in the beginning is of no value if you have to pay dearly for it later.
    I wish you the best of luck, and hope you don't become one of those who have come home very rudely.

  6. Jacques says up

    Losing your heart is one thing keeping your wits about you and using your mind is just as important if you want to take this step. You will have to meet the entry requirements of a 41 year old foreigner. They can be requested anyway. Work and medical expenses are essential unless of course you have lying money that you can use then suddenly there is a lot possible I can share with you. The chance that you won't stay alone for long is not inconceivable, especially if you lose your heart so quickly. So look before you leap but nothing is impossible. So ask the authorities in Thailand what is required for this, so that you are well prepared. Good luck with the company and put things into perspective and weigh up on the basis of a thorough preliminary investigation and with knowledge of the facts.

  7. henny says up

    Dear Robin,

    I have a timetable first emigration to Thailand. Here are useful tips.
    If you give me your e-mail address, I will send it to you.

    Yours faithfully,
    henny

    • Frank says up

      Hi Henry, would like to receive this. [email protected]

    • Michael Kleinman says up

      Dear Henry,

      I also intend to emigrate and could use any tip. Would you be so kind as to email me as well?

      [email protected]

      Thank you for your effort

    • Rene Chiangmai says up

      I am of course also very interested and would like to receive the timetable.

      [email protected]

    • Lung addie says up

      Dear Henry,
      why don't you just publish that 'timetable' on the blog. If everything is neatly colored within the lines, this should not be a problem at all and it may be useful to other readers.

      • rori says up

        join lung addie. am also excited. after only from 1978 first time until 2008 bound to aland via relationship. Since 2014 8 months on 4 months and 7 days off.

        Learn yourself every day. maybe even more because of the timetable.

    • jo says up

      Hello Henny,

      Another fan here

      [email protected]

    • Erwin says up

      Hi Henry,
      Could you also send this timetable to me please?

      [email protected]

      thank you in advance
      MVG
      Erwin

    • RobC says up

      Dear Henny, I am also very interested in that booklet. Would you like to email it to me? [email protected]

  8. Henk says up

    Hi robin,

    I can certainly imagine that it all looks very nice.
    Read the various blogs on this site and you will find out that things are not always as rosy and beautiful as they seem.
    I myself also want to settle in Thailand with my Thai girlfriend (am 60+) but have found out that it is better to stay in Thailand for 7 to 8 months but keep my base in the Netherlands and there approx. 5 month stay. (family, health and tax)
    You will first have to ask yourself how you want to provide your income until retirement, and what kind of work you CAN do in Thailand at all. Which part you want to live in (Bangkok, Northern Thailand, the tourist places) What do you think you need for your livelihood. What is this expected to be like in the future? What do you have if things unexpectedly don't work out in Thailand? Do you have a backup plan for, say, your 45th, 50th or 60th year?

    So first draw up a list of questions and try to formulate the answer to each question whether it is feasible.
    Success.

  9. John Scheys says up

    Look before you leap!!!!

    I also had that feeling when I was there on holiday for the first time 30 years ago, but after 2/3 months you fall back with your feet on the ground and you can put everything into perspective better.

    Never give up your social security just like that. Now you are still young and healthy, but will it stay that way? I myself am 71 and am also going to hibernate there for 3 months, but I don't think about living there permanently, although I now have the means for it.

  10. Johnny B.G says up

    Questions are also possible so I have a question.

    I assume you have gone through the various websites including this one to come to a wise decision and my question is what the real reason is to think that Thailand is worth settling there permanently with lots of visa things on top of that that need to be arranged?

  11. rori says up

    Very easy to get a permanent visa in Thialand.

    This is being responded to in various ways.
    In approximately the following way:

    1. If you are 50 plus you can buy a retirement visa by transferring 800.000 baht to a bank account or by depositing 65.000 baht from Europe into a bank account every month.
    2. You can of course marry a Thai (clean or dirty, who cares).
    Then you only need to have 400.000 baht in a bank account, but still have 65.00 baht per month to spend (transferred to a Thai bank account).

    Or very simply you choose the following options:
    1. You start a company with about 10 to 30 employees.

    Or:
    2. In order to apply to become a Thai Permanent Resident, you must meet the following criteria:

    a. You must have had a Thai non-immigrant visa for at least three years prior to the submission of your application. Holders of multiple NON-Immigrant visas cannot apply. You must have 3 consecutive yearly extensions in order to qualify.
    b. You must be a holder of a non-immigrant visa at the time of submitting your application.
    c. You must be able to meet one of these categories to apply for PR status in Thailand:
    c1. Investment category (minimum 3 – 10 Mil. Baht investment in Thailand)
    c2, Working/Business category

    d. Support a family or Humanity Reasons category: In this category, you must have a relationship with a Thai citizen or an alien who already posses a residence permit as a husband or wife; father or mother; or a guardian of a Thai child under 20 years of age.000

    e. Expert / academic category

    f. Other categories as determined by Thai Immigration

    You should note that the list of required documents for the application depends on the category under which the application is made.

    So the simplest is just 10 million bath is about to really be sure to invest 300.000 Euro in something. And then HOPE the immigration officer approves/

  12. Stefan says up

    I also thought about making that step 7 years ago, I then regularly visited Thailand several times a year and now I am going to Thailand for 6 months 2 months for Belgium 6 months for Thailand… I don't like the financial loss very much and I am also almost permanently in Thailand for me personally the best solution.

    • rori says up

      Completely join me on this. I adhere to the following rule. 4 months + 7 days in the Netherlands and the rest in Thailand.

  13. marc says up

    The first thing I would do is find a friend who works for the Thai government then you don't already have the problem of health insurance that insures for the whole family and then you have to see that she has about 15 rai of land then you can plant durian then you deserve more than the European people

    • rori says up

      But before you can harvest you are at least 5 years further.

  14. pyotrpatong says up

    Maybe that's his last name or does he have a driving license BE?

    • Or vaccinated against BE

      • RuudB says up

        That would be the best option now that Vlaams Belang is on the rise, and Walloons and Flemish people are once again holding each other hostage.

      • rori says up

        it would be better to be vaccinated against future heartaches.

  15. Adam says up

    Dear Robin

    I'm also Flemish, I've lived here for 4 years (since I was 47) and I think it would be interesting to have a conversation about this via email!
    [email protected]

  16. GJ Krol says up

    Dear Robin, I recognize your feeling. After my first holiday in Thailand, I thought there was no reason not to emigrate to Thailand. Thailand is a beautiful country, now, 9 years after my first holiday, I also see the negative sides. In addition to the aspects mentioned here, there is also the cultural difference. The difference in regulations; the ease with which Thailand does nothing about the infrastructure. I've been seeing the same broken up sidewalks in Chiang Mai for years. I also see the double praise and you will always be the farang. I also see the misery behind the beautiful smile. I have also noticed that Thai people easily turn away from you. My advice would be to first visit Thailand for a few years and after about 5 years take an honest look at whether you are still in love with Thailand.
    I'm glad I didn't make an irreversible decision. The Netherlands is a nasty country, overly regulated, but I wouldn't trade it for a permanent residence in Thailand for anything.

  17. Carlo says up

    After my first Thailand trip, I also thought to emigrate permanently within a few years.
    In the meantime I have become much wiser, especially through this very interesting Thailand blog, for which sincere thanks for the starters of these information lines.
    The best will indeed be to live in Thailand for periods alternating with a stay in Belgium. (or Flanders maybe after political actions; lol.)
    A factor that also plays a role is that Thailand can probably become more expensive than Europe for many things due to their increasingly expensive currency.

  18. Erwin Fleur says up

    Dear, I am amazed by the many new rules.
    I'm not Be but Nl. Cozy.

    Yours faithfully,

    Erwin

  19. Foofie says up

    Hello dear robin. There are 2 options to quickly and under 50 reside in Thailand. 1.Get married . 2. Get an elite visa. It's that simple ! A good day.

  20. Keith 2 says up

    Perhaps an idea for thailandblog to compile summaries in 3 (?) 'paragraphs' with a link to it somewhere on the start page. Then this question does not need to be asked again and again.
    1. The various forms for someone under the age of 50 to officially reside in Thailand.
    2. A number of after- and advantages in a row (visa, health insurance... etc).
    3. The experiences, alternatives and suggestions of a number of 'experience experts'.
    4. …. ?


Leave a comment

Thailandblog.nl uses cookies

Our website works best thanks to cookies. This way we can remember your settings, make you a personal offer and you help us improve the quality of the website. read more

Yes, I want a good website