What you need to know before moving to Thailand from Ireland
Thinking about swapping the cool Irish weather for the tropical warmth of Thailand? Whether you’re drawn by the white sandy beaches, vibrant culture or lower cost of living, moving to Thailand is an exciting thought. But, before you pack your bags and jump on a plane there’s a few things to know.
From visas and finding work to healthcare and the cost of living, we’re going to break down what you need to consider before making the move from Ireland to Thailand.
We’ll also cover why Wise might be the perfect account to help manage your money across borders.
Wise: Euro and Thai baht
in one account 💰
Things to know before moving to Thailand
- Thailand population in 2025: 71.6 million¹
- Currency: Thai baht (THB)
- Official languages: Thai²
- Time difference: Thailand is 7 hours ahead of Ireland
- Number of Irish visitors: 70,000 each year³
Do you need a visa to move to Thailand as an Irish citizen?
Irish people can visit Thailand for a period of up to 60 days (extendable to 90) without a visa, but staying longer will require you to apply for one.⁴ Which visa you choose will depend on what you’re going to do there.
Visas to work in Thailand as an Irish citizen
If you want to work in Thailand then you’ll need to obtain a non-immigrant work visa. There’s a few different categories to choose from, with the right choice being based on the type of work you’re planning to do⁶:
- Non-Immigrant Visa Category B (Business Visa) - 3 months / Single entry
- Non-Immigrant Visa Category B (Business Visa) - 1 year / Multiple entry
- Non-Immigrant Visa Category B (Teaching)
- Non-Immigrant Visa Category BA (Business Approved)
- Non-Immigrant Visa Category IB (Investment and Business)
One thing to note is you may need to find a job before applying for a Thai work visa. For example, to apply for a Business Visa an employer first has to apply to the Ministry of Labour for a Letter of Approval, while the Teaching Visa application asks for a Letter of Acceptance from the school and Letter of Approval from the Education Commission.
Thai digital nomad visa
For the freelancers and remote workers out there, Thailand has introduced its own version of a digital nomad visa called the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).⁹ When granted it’s valid for 5 years and you can stay for 180 days per entry.
Thailand student visas
If you’d like to study in Thailand there’s the Non-Immigrant Type ED and Non-Immigrant Type ED Plus visa’s.⁷ They allow foreigners, including Irish citizens, to study in Thailand for six different purposes:
- Elementary to secondary level studies
- Higher education studies
- A short course (Thai or English language)
- Muay Thai training
- Vocational, technical and university diploma studies
- Studying for a bachelor degree or higher
The requirements vary depending on the study purpose and each visa is only valid for 90 days at a time, so you’d need to be on top of the renewals.
How to move to Thailand permanently?
Moving to Thailand permanently is a dream for some and there are a few different visas that allow for it. Which one you can apply for depends on various factors including your finances, age, and how long you’ve held a non-immigrant visa. The options include:
- Long Term Resident Visa
- Thailand Elite Visa
- Marriage Visa
- Apply for Permanent Resident status.
How to move to Thailand for a year?
Aside from the 1 year work visas it’s possible to move to Thailand for a year with the Non-Immigrant Visa O-A (Long Stay).⁸ The catch - this visa is only available to applicants aged over 50 who don’t want to work during their stay.
How to find a job in Thailand as a foreigner?
To start your job hunt you could approach a recruitment agency or simply go straight to the online job boards and look for positions that suit your skills and qualifications. Here are a few sites to get you started:
- JobsDB Thailand
- JobThai
- Ajarn (English teaching)
As you’re searching for a job in Thailand keep in mind that while English is spoken by many people, Thai is the official language. If you can’t read and write Thai it may hold you back from being able to apply for certain opportunities.
Cost of living Ireland vs Thailand: Comparison 💰
Two vastly different cities, Dublin and Bangkok are the capitals of Ireland and Thailand, respectively. Like many capital cities there can be some variance in the cost of living depending on the neighbourhood you’re in and lifestyle you lead, but here’s a cost comparison of a few everyday expenses⁵:
| Expense | Dublin | Bangkok |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | 20.00 € | 2.82 € |
| Pint of domestic beer | 7.00 € | 2.54 € |
| Regular cappuccino | 3.98 € | 2.39 € |
| Loaf of bread | 1.70 € | 1.16 € |
| Pound of chicken fillets | 4.64 € | 1.22 € |
| Monthly transportation pass | 115.00 € | 36.66 € |
| Monthly high speed internet | 49.86 € | 13.81 € |
| Monthly fitness club membership | 54.54 € | 46.98 € |
As you can see the cost of living is generally lower in Bangkok, with some expenses being considerably cheaper than Dublin.
Cost to move to Thailand
The cost to move to Thailand will depend on your personal circumstances but there’s some expenses that most people will face:
- Visa application fees (2000-5000 THB)⁶
- Flights to Thailand
- International shipping of any belongings being taken to Thailand
- Putting belongings into storage in Ireland
- Transporting any pets to Thailand
- International health insurance
- Initial accommodation before more permanent housing is found.
How to open a bank account in Thailand
Opening a bank account in Thailand can be a little complex, especially if you don’t speak the language. You’ll need to get your visa in order first, then you can start contacting banks about opening an account.
During the application process the bank will inform you of the documents you need to supply, but you can expect it’ll include some of the following:
- Passport or valid identification
- Visa information
- Personal information, contact details and an address
Ideally while waiting to open a Thai bank account you want another option that allows you to convert, spend and send your Euros to Thai Baht at a cost effective price. Wise can do just that.
With a Wise Account you can convert and hold Thai Baht, send it to Thai bank accounts if you need to pay a deposit or some moving costs, and spend in the local currency using the Wise card.
When converting currencies, Wise always uses the mid-market exchange rate (the one you normally find on Google) with no hidden fees or markups to worry about.
Health care system in Thailand
Thailand has a free national healthcare system called the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS).¹⁰ Expats who are working in Thailand are covered by it, with the scheme contribution being automatically deducted from their salary.
The country also has a robust private healthcare system that’s well regarded internationally. It’s more expensive than the public system but still cheaper than the equivalent care in Western Europe. To access it many expats choose to get international health insurance that will help cover the costs.
How to rent an apartment in Thailand as a foreigner
To successfully rent an apartment in Thailand there are four main things you’ll need¹¹:
- Valid ID
- Valid visa
- Proof of income or employment
- Lease agreement
The process starts off much the same as anywhere; find some apartments you like in a suitable area with the right amenities and price point. To get you started, here’s some sites to take a look at:
Average rent prices in Thailand
Rental prices in Thailand vary depending on where in the country you choose to live.⁵ Comparing the two capital’s again, here’s a look at average rental prices in Dublin versus Bangkok.
| Rental Property | Dublin | Bangkok |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom apartment in city centre | 2,014.54 € | 608.53 € |
| 2 bedroom apartment in city centre | 1,714.69 € | 304.20 € |
| 1 bedroom apartment outside city centre | 3,535.44 € | 1,769.97 € |
| 2 bedroom apartment outside city centre | 2,927.78 € | 814.04 € |
Remember this is just a look at average prices. Bangkok is a heavily populated city with huge urban sprawl, dwarfing the size of Dublin. Distance from the city center and the socio-economic status of a district or neighbourhood do play a part in how cheap or expensive an apartment in Bangkok is.
Moving to Thailand from Ireland? Save on your relocation costs with Wise
During your move to Thailand, Wise can help you save on international money transfers and manage your money with ease.
With a Wise Account, you can settle into life in Thailand that little bit easier:
- Send money between Ireland and Thailand
- Hold both EUR and THB currencies in one account and convert between them whenever needed
- Always get the mid-market exchange rate with no sneaky margins
- Spend in Thailand with your Wise card, making purchases and ATM withdrawals* in the local currency.
- Generate free virtual cards and add them to your mobile wallet for seamless payments
- Manage your account online, via website or Wise app.
Wherever your path takes you, Wise makes handling your money across borders simple and cost-effective, leaving you to focus on the journey ahead.
Open your personal
Wise Account for free 🚀
* Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but some additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks.
Checklist before moving to Thailand ✅
Summing it up, here’s a simple checklist for your move to Thailand.
- Decide which Thai visa you’re going to apply for
- Get everything ready to apply for the visa, which could include getting a job offer
- Apply for your Thai visa
- Once granted, starting organising your move including flights, finding accommodation in Thailand and wrapping your affairs up in Ireland so you’re ready to go
- When the big day arrives, board the flight with your passport and visa in hand, ready for your arrival in Thailand.
Sources used:
- Worldometer: Thailand Population
- Tourism Thailand - Language and Culture
- Ireland - Ireland’s relationship with Thailand
- Royal Thai Consulate - Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival to Thailand
- Numbeo - Cost of Living Comparison Between Dublin and Bangkok
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thailand - Non-Immigrant B Visa
- Royal Thai Embassy - Non-Immigrant Type “ED” and “ED Plus” to Study
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thailand - Non-Immigrant Visa O-A (Long Stay)
- Royal Thai Embassy - Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
- Allianz - Healthcare in Thailand
- Benoit Partners - Rental Laws
Sources last checked on date: 1 March 2025
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
