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Is health insurance mandatory for retirees in Thailand, and what visa options are available for a 74-year-old Swiss citizen?

Thailand health insurance Thai retirement visa NON-O visa NON-OA visa health insurance requirements expat insurance Thai Elite visa LTR visa

Oct 18, 2025

a day ago

Branko *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Asking for a family member. A 74 year old Swiss citizen wants to retire in Thailand. Regarding health insurance, is it mandatory under Thai law (like in Switzerland) or not? Given her age, can she have health insurance at all? Also, which visa is best in her case? Thanks

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TLDR : Answer Summary

For a 74-year-old Swiss citizen looking to retire in Thailand, health insurance is generally not mandatory unless on a NON-OA visa, where it is required. Alternative visa options like the NON-O (retirement) visa and the Thai Elite visa do not require insurance. However, obtaining health insurance can be challenging at her age, leading to high costs or limited options. It's advisable to check for potential coverage through her Swiss insurance or specific policies applicable to expatriates.

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Kim ********

When you say "retire" do you mean live permanently in Thailand. If not keep the Swiss Insurance. I'm with Visana and although I'm coming and going never had issues. Maybe ask her Versicherung provider. Once she checks out at the Gemeinde that's a different issue.

a day ago

Johnny *********

No need for any insurance. Tourist visa is best for her.

a day ago

Mike *******

It depends on your visa.

a day ago

Jody ********

Branco Grcic….I recommend reaching out to

@Robert ********

. He has been helping me x 3 years. Highly knowledgeable, honest.

a day ago

Daniel *********

Ce n'est pas obligatoire soit tu prends des risques ou soit tu es riche

a day ago

Patrick *********

It's not mandatory to have health insurance in Thailand unless she's in an O/A Visa. Most retirees are on a O Visa that doesn't require it.

At her age it will be nearly impossible or prohibitively expensive to get a Thai insurance.

She might qualify to keep her Swiss insurance, or get a KPT policy for outside the EU.

Google "Swiss abroad health insurance – what are the options?" On the Swissinfo webpage as starting point.

a day ago

Branko *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Patrick ********

The health insurance prices here in Switzerland are one of the reasons she would like to leave. (500 fr/month)

a day ago

Patrick *********

@Branko ******

Thai health insurance is not regulated like in Switzerland: Premiums go up considerably with age, and sometimes also after making any claims.

Moreover, any new policy will likely exclude any pre-existing conditions, have $ limits on annual coverage, and lifetime caps on amounts reimbursed per condition.

Anyway, I hope that the cost of insurance in Switzerland isn't the only reason to consider moving to Thailand... Living here is very different from taking a holiday here.

a day ago

Reply to

Patrick *********

John ******

Elite visa does not require insurance

a day ago

Graham ******

Look at the Non-O (retirement) over 50 visa which has no insurance requirement. Check the Thai Embassy website in Switzerland for their requirements as they will be approving the online application. Other options include the LTR Visa (wealthy pensioners).

a day ago

Goldie ********

@Graham *****

LTR visa requires Health Insurance unless you can prove you have $100.000.00 in your bank account for 12 consecutive months.

a day ago

Brandon ************

@Goldie *******

but at least for LTR they'll accept most any insurance policy that meets their requirements, unlike with the non-OA that only accepts policies from an approved list of Thai companies.

a day ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

Colin **********

Its only required as part of a OA visa, apart from that no, but advisable. The older you get the less choice you get of available insurances.

a day ago

Stuart *********

Mandatory insurance would depend on the visa type they enter on. A Non OA or Non OX visa would require insurance, whilst a Non O visa doesn’t.

Whether there are companies out there that would offer insurance for their age I couldn’t confirm. There may well be.

a day ago

Reply to

Stuart *********

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What is the best visa for retirees in Thailand who are self-insuring for health due to age and pre-existing conditions?

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