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Can freelancers on a DTV in Thailand become tax residents after 6 months?
DTV (Digital Nomad Visa)Tax ResidencyFreelancing in ThailandVisa RulesTaxation in ThailandExpat Life in Thailand
Nov 27, 2025
5 months ago
Thoughtful**********
ORIGINAL POSTERAnyone here who is freelancer on DTV and stayed over 6 months and decided to become tax resident here? Or are the majority of you leaving every 180 days?
I’m from one of highest taxed country in EU with close to 50% tax. For me it’s a big win to become tax resident here asap.
I’m from one of highest taxed country in EU with close to 50% tax. For me it’s a big win to become tax resident here asap.
TLDR : Answer Summary
Many freelancers on the DTV are considering becoming tax residents in Thailand after staying for over 6 months. The general guideline is that staying in Thailand for more than 180 days in a calendar year qualifies an individual as a tax resident. Comments reveal varied experiences about tax residency related to different nationalities and the implications of income sources. Some users highlight that only income remitted to Thailand is taxable, while others mention the importance of double taxation agreements. Several users share successful transitions to tax residency to avoid high taxes in their home countries, such as Spain and Romania.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Rico ***********
The DTV is basically a tourist visa. You can become a tax resident, since anyone can get a tax number, but the catch is that your company is based in a country with a 50% tax rate, and your residence has to be there—you had to provide an address when applying for the DTV. So you wouldn’t need to pay taxes in Thailand, because your tax liability there would already fall under that 50%. Also, many countries have double taxation agreements with Thailand.
Anonymous ******************
Do the days that you fly in and fly out both count towards the 180 days? Like say if I flew in on the 20th and flew out on the 25th would that be 5 days or 6 days?
Jesper *******
If you stay more than 180days per calendar year you become a tax resident no matter how many trips you travel to thailand........you need to pay your tax back home first before they can calculate how much u need to pay (what ever excess after none double taxation agreement)....you earn your income in your home country and not in thailand you have to pay your tax in your home country ....and DTV doesn't have a bank acct not like nonO which they need to bring in funds from overseas each month so the tax office can check the annual bank statements for overseas transfer funds and they will tax base on that
Anonymous ******************
Yes , plenty. As it’s not 180 days a trip but per calendar year.
Anonymous ******************
Freelancer in which term? I don’t think so the Thai freelancers are on DTV
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Happy **********
Get tax residency in Paraguay and pay 0% tax on foreign earned income.
Only need to be in the country once every three years.
Only need to be in the country once every three years.
Stefan ******
Happy Thailand If you are in TH more than 180 days a year you become tax resident of TH regardless of where you claim your tax residency. Same for most other countries.
Happy **********
@Stefan *****
yes, it depends upon which countries are involved.Most countries you can withdraw tax status if you are not living there anymore, except for places like the US.
But in practice on a DTV visa, how will such be implemented if you spend 181 days in Thailand and do not make any effort to file taxes?
DTV is still essentially a tourist visa, for those earning income abroad.
Reply to
Happy **********
Reply
Arethel **************
Happy Thailand , only if there is a bilateral agreement between Paraguay and the country where this income earned. Otherwise there will be double taxation: 0% in Paraguay and ?% according to that country legislation.
Reply to
Arethel **************
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Oliver *****
In my case, I get dividends and rental income in Romania of course I have to pay tax on that income in Romania, but over a certain threshold I have to pay state health insurance. At 3 times the normal rate, unless I am tax resident in a different country.
Therefore I will be becoming a tax resident in Thailand to not have to pay that money.
🤞
Therefore I will be becoming a tax resident in Thailand to not have to pay that money.
🤞
Anonymous ******************
As everyone mentioned, it's 180 (183 to be exact) days in a calendar year, but only income remitted to Thailand is taxable, but you anyway can't have a local bank account with DTV so taxation is not really an option.
Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer 724 It is at exactly 180 days, not 183, you might be confused with some other country. Having or not having a bank account does not influence taxabilty.
Anonymous ******************
@Luit ****************
of course having bank account is influence. You only to be taxed on income remitted to Thailand. Not having access to the local banking system is very relevant.Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer 724 In a few years I brought in about 4 million THB into Thailand without a Thai bank account.
In case you think that a local bank account in a country is relevant for that, I can awake you from that dream, there are many, many more ways to bring in money.
And for taxability it is also not important, if not having a Thai bank account would influence taxability a lot of Thai would close their bank account.
I am not aware of any country in the world where you would not pay tax when you don't have a bank account.
In case you think that a local bank account in a country is relevant for that, I can awake you from that dream, there are many, many more ways to bring in money.
And for taxability it is also not important, if not having a Thai bank account would influence taxability a lot of Thai would close their bank account.
I am not aware of any country in the world where you would not pay tax when you don't have a bank account.
Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
René *******
Anonymer Teilnehmer 724 The official rules say exact 180days, not “half calendar year”, which would be varying anyway. 😉
John **********
Anonymous participant 724 plenty of was to remit income without a bank account
Anonymous ******************
@John *********
if you don't have a bank account, you are not really going through the financial systems of Thailand. you can try collect receipts from ATMs, bank clerks and your credit card payment from your bank back home and try to insist to tax it, good luck with that.John **********
Anonymous participant 724 with the new CRS in place Thailand will automatically be informed of ATM withdrawals etc
Reply to
John **********
Reply
Mr *******************
Anonymous participant 724 he's right, it's 180.
"Taxpayers are classified into “resident” and “non-resident”. “Resident” means any person residing in Thailand for a period or periods aggregating more than 180 days in any tax (calendar) year. A resident of Thailand is liable to pay tax on income from sources in Thailand as well as on the portion of income from foreign sources that is brought into Thailand. A non-resident is, however, subject to tax only on income from sources in Thailand."
"Taxpayers are classified into “resident” and “non-resident”. “Resident” means any person residing in Thailand for a period or periods aggregating more than 180 days in any tax (calendar) year. A resident of Thailand is liable to pay tax on income from sources in Thailand as well as on the portion of income from foreign sources that is brought into Thailand. A non-resident is, however, subject to tax only on income from sources in Thailand."
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Todd *********
Anonymous participant 724 180 to be exact
Anonymous ******************
I know it is 183, but that is not something I will spend energy arguing about, so I will say ok you're right 😀❤️
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 724 when getting my dtv I had 2 Thai law firms confirm to my EU employer that you become tax resident on 180th day, therefore you should stay 179 days max if you wanna avoid it
Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer 724 you just know wrong...
Todd *********
Anonymous participant 724 it’s unfortunate to be born f’in stupid. It’s another matter altogether to persist in it.
Anonymous ******************
@Todd ********
why is it always British retirees who are so angry and looking for someone to bully online? Relax, enjoy life, you don't have much left anyway. try to be productive and happy.
Todd *********
Check out this Anonymous participant 724 🤡 as he doubles down even further 😂😂😂. Watching her type is like a slow moving train wreck of intellectual miscreance.
Cant even keep his own word… a mess.
Cant even keep his own word… a mess.
Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Luis ********
Yep. I did it. I am from Spain so I wanted to save myself the hassle. I went to a tax advisor and now a tax resident of Thailand (acknowledged by the embassy of Spain as well).
Jonathan ***********
@Luis *******
Do you actually pay taxes here? I get so much conflicting information whether the work here is consider Thai-sourced or not.
Luis ********
Any money that you BRING to Thailand (i.e. ATM withdrawals, paying rent, paying restaurants, hotels, shopping with your credit card) is considered 'Thailand Remittance Expense' and is taxed if you are tax resident in Thailand. Anyway, I am not a tax advisor so they can tell you more reliably.
Reply to
Luis ********
Reply
Brandon ************
Leaving every 180 days is irrelevant. It's all of your days added up within a calendar year.
Reply to
Brandon ************
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