Thailand remains a top destination for foreign investors, digital nomads, and retirees. One of the most commonly asked questions from foreign buyers is:
👉 Can a foreigner own 100% of a condo in Thailand?
The short answer is: Yes — under certain conditions.
✅ What the Law Says
Thailand’s Condominium Act (1979) allows foreign nationals to own up to 49% of the total saleable area of all units in a condominium project.
This means that individual foreign buyers can legally own a condo unit outright, with a freehold title, as long as the total foreign ownership in that building does not exceed 49%.
🏢 Thai Condo Ownership Rules for Foreigners
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Ownership limit | Up to 49% of total floor area of a condominium project can be foreign-owned |
| Ownership type | Freehold (full ownership of the unit) |
| Land ownership | Foreigners cannot own land, but can own the condo unit (not the land it sits on) |
| Payment | Must be made in foreign currency transferred from abroad |
| Documentation required | Passport, Foreign Exchange Transaction (FET) form, sales agreement, etc. |
🛑 Important Conditions
Foreigners must meet the following conditions to legally own a condo:
- 🌍 Be a non-resident alien (foreign individual with no permanent residence in Thailand).
- 💰 Transfer funds in foreign currency into Thailand specifically for the purchase.
- 🧾 Provide proof of remittance, usually via a Foreign Exchange Transaction Form (FET) issued by a Thai bank.
🧠 Infographic: How a Foreigner Can Own a Thai Condo
[Suggested Layout – You Can Create This in Canva]
📌 Title: “Steps to Foreign Condo Ownership in Thailand”
Visual Blocks:
- Research a condo → Must not exceed the 49% foreign quota
- Transfer funds in foreign currency → Bank issues FET form
- Sign sales contract → Work with a lawyer for due diligence
- Register title at Land Office → You receive the Chanote (ownership deed)
📝 Pro Tip: Always ensure the condo you’re purchasing is within the allowable foreign quota. Check with the developer or juristic office.
🏁 Conclusion
Yes, foreigners can own 100% of a specific condo unit in Thailand — provided the building’s total foreign-owned area doesn’t exceed 49%. While you cannot own land, condo ownership is a safe and legal way to invest or live in Thailand.
🔐 Freehold ownership gives full legal rights to the unit, including the ability to rent it out, sell it, or pass it on via inheritance (with some legal processes).
📬 Final Tips
- ✅ Always check if the foreign ownership quota has not been filled.
- ⚖️ Consult a real estate lawyer to assist with contracts and due diligence.
- 📤 Ensure funds are sent correctly to comply with Thai regulations.
