Expatriate insurance in Thailand
If you're planning to move to Thailand as an expatriate, it's crucial to take out health insurance that's right for you. Medical costs in Thailand can vary considerably, and it's essential to have medical insurance that provides comprehensive coverage for your local health needs, as well as for your travels and eventual return to your home country.
The “Land of Smiles” is well known for its bright sunshine, beautiful beaches and magical temples. It’s no wonder that today, Thailand is home to nearly 7 million expatriates from all over the world. The coronavirus epidemic has put the brakes on expatriation to Thailand due to economic difficulties, but in the long term, the development of Asia continues to encourage expatriation to Thailand. Who doesn’t want to work in the sun? Enjoy a better quality of life? In any case, make sure you’re properly insured to make the most of your expatriation to Thailand! For some visas, international health insurance is compulsory, and Mondassur can advise you on the most suitable insurance for your visa to Thailand.
Expatriate insurance Thailand Gold Nomad Expat
Our contract with good levels of cover, adapted to life in Thailand.
From
74€
- Worldwide coverage
- Maximum age: 65
- Covers up to 100% of routine medical care
- 100% hospitalization coverage
- Up to €500,000 per year
- Maternity coverage up to €4,500
- Covers pre-existing conditions
- Coverage of pharmaceutical costs
- Repatriation assistance
- Civil liability
- Individual protection
Expat Insurance Thailand Gold Expat Access
Economical international health insurance tailored to your expatriation plans.
From
93€
- Worldwide coverage
- Minimum age: 14
- Maximum age: 65
- Covers 80% of routine medical care
- 100% hospitalization coverage
- Up to €750,000 per year
- Maternity coverage up to €4,500
- Coverage of assisted reproduction up to €500
- Covers pre-existing conditions
- Coverage of pharmaceutical costs
- Optional dental and optical care
- Optional repatriation assistance
- Optional third-party liability
Expatriate insurance Thailand Gold Expat Safe
Insurance that provides effective coverage for accidents and illnesses.
From
107€
- Worldwide coverage
- Minimum age: 14
- Maximum age: 65
- Covers 90% of common medicine
- 100% hospitalization coverage
- Up to €1,000,000 per year
- Maternity coverage up to €4,500
- Coverage of assisted reproduction up to €1,000
- Covers pre-existing conditions
- Coverage of pharmaceutical costs
- Optional dental and optical care
- Maternity plus option
- Prevention and well-being as an option
- Optional repatriation assistance
- Optional third-party liability
Expatriate insurance Thailand Gold Expat Premium
Our most comprehensive expatriate health insurance plan in Thailand.
From
138€
- Worldwide coverage
- Minimum age: 14
- Maximum age: 65
- Covers up to 100% of routine medical care
- 100% hospitalization coverage
- Up to €1,500,000 per year
- Maternity coverage up to €6,000
- Coverage of assisted reproduction up to €1,500
- Covers pre-existing conditions
- Coverage of pharmaceutical costs
- Optional dental and optical care
- Maternity plus option
- Prevention and well-being as an option
- Optional repatriation assistance
- Optional third-party liability
Any questions? Need advice?
How to choose expatriate insurance for Thailand?
Do I need expatriate insurance in Thailand?
Although the health care system in Thailand is efficient, the cost of care in private clinics can be high, so it is strongly advised to take out expatriate health insurance for adequate coverage. Thailand continues to have a humid climate and mosquitoes are always present, capable of transmitting diseases such as dengue fever and malaria. It is therefore always advisable to consult your doctor before departure to ensure that your vaccinations are up to date.
The expatriate insurance plans offered by Mondassur meet the many criteria for minimum medical coverage. Expatriates are guaranteed to be well covered worldwide and in Thailand. Mondassur will work with you free of charge to study your current medical coverage and the different health insurance plans for Thailand according to your budget and needs.
And if you’re over 65 and planning to move to Thailand, we advise you to take out our Gold Visa contract.
Working in Thailand
If you want to work in Thailand, you should be aware that some jobs are not open to foreigners. The decree in question, adopted in 1979 to protect the labor market in favor of locals, bans foreigners from 39 professions, including cab drivers, street vendors, hairdressers and even tourist guides. You can find the full list of jobs forbidden to foreigners on the Internet. However, if you have obtained Thai nationality, you can apply for these jobs and be treated on an equal footing with other Thai citizens.
To work in Thailand, you’ll need a work permit, without which any professional activity is illegal. Teaching jobs are popular with expatriates, and salaries vary according to experience and qualifications, ranging from 30,000 THB to 100,000 THB per month (816 to 2,722 euros). It’s also worth noting that as of April 1, 2021, the legal minimum wage in Thailand is 331 baht (around 9 euros) a day, which equates to around 10,000 baht (around 280 euros) a month for full-time work.
What's Thai culture like?
Thai culture is marked by a strong emphasis on family and community. Thais have great respect for the elderly and value kindness, politeness and hospitality. Buddhism is also very much a part of Thai daily life, and many Buddhist temples can be visited throughout the country. Religious festivals are deeply rooted in Thai culture, such as Buddhist New Year or Songkran, when people throw water on each other to purify themselves. Traditional dance, music and art are also important elements of Thai culture.
How do you send your children to school in Thailand?
Children’s schooling is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 15. Public schools are free and the Thai school system works as follows:
– 3-year kindergarten
– Elementary school over 6 years
– Secondary school (collège and lycée) over 6 years.
For expatriates, you can enroll your child(ren) in state schools or in one of the many fee-paying international schools. In Bangkok alone, there are 40 international schools. However, tuition fees at these international schools can be quite high, ranging from 8,000 to 25,000 euros per year for a single enrolment, depending on the school and the child’s academic level. Fees may also vary depending on additional options such as extracurricular activities, exam fees, school uniforms and classroom supplies. In addition, some international schools may require payment of a non-refundable enrolment fee and a deposit fee to secure the child’s place at the school.
Accommodation in Thailand
If you’re an expatriate in Thailand, there are several options for finding accommodation, such as company housing provided by certain companies, or seeking advice from specialist real estate agencies or Facebook groups. Property prices are considered affordable for expatriates, although there has been a +1000% increase in land prices in Bangkok over the last 30 years.
Furnished accommodation is also common in Thailand, and expats can find many furnished apartments and houses for rent at reasonable prices. Charges such as water, electricity and internet are often included in the monthly rent, which can simplify financial management. For a monthly rent of €350 to €500, you can find very good apartments for two people, while large apartments with 3 to 4 bedrooms can cost between €1,500 and €2,500.
How much does it cost to live in Thailand?
The cost of living in Thailand is considered attractive for expatriates due to the affordable cost of housing, transport and the varied and accessible food. Outdoor dining is very cheap due to the prevalence of street food in Thailand, with meals costing around 100 baht (2.7 euros) at street stalls. However, the meal budget will be about the same as in more developed countries if you choose to eat in a Western restaurant. Shopping is also very easy in Thailand, with numerous small shops and supermarkets such as 7-Eleven, Family Mart, Big C, Tesco Lotus, Foodland and TopsMarket. However, it is important to note that imported foods are often very expensive in supermarkets.
Driving in Thailand
To drive in Thailand, you can apply for your international document, valid for 3 years, or convert your license into a Thai one.
As a reminder, on Thai roads, you drive on the left! As in the rest of Asia, road accidents are very common in Thailand, especially on 2-wheelers. Be careful, and remember to take out health insurance to cover such accidents!
