The cost of buying property in Thailand goes beyond the sticker price. On top of the purchase price, you should budget roughly 2–6% for transaction costs, plus legal fees and some ongoing charges once you own. Here’s exactly what to expect, so there are no surprises at the Land Department.
What the cost of buying property in Thailand includes
Your total outlay breaks down into four parts: transfer taxes and fees paid at the Land Department, your legal fees, the cost of getting your money into Thailand, and the ongoing costs of owning. We’ll take them in turn.
Transfer taxes and fees
When ownership is registered at the Land Department, several charges fall due — the transfer fee (around 2% of the appraised value), plus either Specific Business Tax or Stamp Duty, and withholding tax. Together these typically come to around 2–6% of the value, depending mainly on how long the seller has owned the property.
In practice, these transfer taxes and fees are almost always split 50/50 between buyer and seller. Just make sure your contract states that clearly so there’s no confusion at completion.
Legal fees
Hiring an independent lawyer is the most important money you’ll spend — they protect the entire transaction. In Hua Hin, legal fees typically run 40,000–70,000 THB, and most lawyers offer a free initial consultation to answer your questions before you commit.
If you buy through a company
If a genuine Thai company structure applies to your situation (see our guide to for why this route now needs caution), factor in ~50,000 THB to set it up and 15,000–25,000 THB per year in accounting. For most buyers, a freehold condo or a registered lease avoids these costs entirely.
Getting your money into Thailand (condo purchases)
If you’re buying a condominium, your purchase funds must be transferred into Thailand from abroad, in foreign currency — it’s a legal requirement for registering foreign freehold ownership. Your Thai bank issues a Foreign Exchange Transaction (FET) form, which the Land Department needs to register the unit in your name. Budget for the bank’s transfer and exchange charges, and start this early.
For a villa on a leasehold, this doesn’t apply — because you’re not registering land ownership in your name, the funds can come from within Thailand. Your lawyer will confirm exactly what’s needed for your purchase.
Ongoing costs of owning
Once you own, expect:
- Common area / maintenance fees — for condos and managed estates (pools, security, gardens), usually charged per square metre.
- Land and building tax — an annual property tax, modest for residential use.
- Utilities, insurance and upkeep — the everyday running costs of any home.
A rough guide
For a straightforward condo purchase, budget the price plus about 2–6% in transfer costs (split 50/50 with the seller) and 40,000–70,000 THB in legal fees, with modest annual fees thereafter. Your lawyer can give you an exact, itemised estimate for your specific property before you commit.
For the full buying process from offer to handover, see our complete guide to .
FAQ
How much does it cost to buy property in Thailand?
Beyond the purchase price, budget roughly 2–6% for transfer taxes and fees, plus legal fees (40,000–70,000 THB in Hua Hin) and modest ongoing charges once you own.
Who pays the transfer fees and taxes — buyer or seller?
They’re almost always split 50/50 between buyer and seller — the transfer fee and the associated taxes together. It’s still worth confirming the split in your contract.
Do I have to transfer money from overseas?
Only for a condominium purchase: registering foreign freehold ownership requires funds to arrive from abroad in foreign currency, evidenced by an FET form. For a villa on a leasehold, the money can come from within Thailand.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Thai property taxes and fees change and depend on the specifics of your purchase — always confirm current figures with a qualified, independent Thai property lawyer.
