Moving to Thailand — next steps
Moving to Thailand — next steps
A practical checklist from decision to settlement. Your progress is saved locally.
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🚗Car ownership~€181/mo
~€181/mo · used compact from €9k · ⛽ €1.04/L
Estimated monthly total
~€181/mo
Ownership + ~1,000 km of fuel per month
- Purchase costs
- VAT on new car7%Registration tax0%Import duty80%
Thailand has up to 80% import duty on CBU (fully built) cars + 7% VAT + excise tax 5-50% by engine/CO2. However, most popular cars (Toyota, Honda, Isuzu, Mitsubishi) are locally assembled and priced competitively. RIGHT-HAND DRIVE.
- Annual ownership costs
- Road tax~€353rd party insurance~€100Vehicle inspection€20 / 1 yrTotal/year~€155
- Fuel prices(2026-09-15)
- ⛽ €1.04/L🚛 €1.06/L diesel
- Used car market
- 5yr compact (Golf/Corolla)~€9kNew equivalent~€16kMarket quality✅ Good
Excellent used car market. Toyota Corolla locally made, very popular and reliable. Kaidee Auto and Taladrod.com main platforms. Japanese brands overwhelmingly dominant. Good condition cars common.
- Driving licence (expats)
Foreigners who show a residence certificate, official proof of address or a work permit can get a Thai temporary licence on the basis of a valid foreign licence (English or embassy-certified) or an IDP, plus a medical certificate. The full licence requires holding the temporary one for at least a year and is not available to tourist, sport or transit entrants (Ministerial Regulation B.E. 2563). How long a foreign licence with IDP may be used after arrival is unverified.
- Key gotchas
- ⚠RIGHT-HAND DRIVE — European continental cars unusable; must buy Thai-registered or locally assembled
- ⚠Bangkok traffic is among the world's worst — budget 1-3 hours for cross-city commutes during rush hour
- ⚠Annual 90-day reporting for long-stay visa holders: must be done in person or online — not related to car but relevant to licence exchange
Thailand is very affordable for car ownership — locally assembled Toyota and Honda are excellently priced and reliable. Annual costs are minimal. Bangkok traffic is the key quality-of-life concern.
Data as of 2026-09-15. Not financial advice.
This checklist is a general guide. Requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and comune. Consult an immigration lawyer for your specific situation.