Is health insurance required for a retirement visa in Thailand?

Feb 5, 2024
10 months ago
Chris ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
This page is very interesting and informative thank you. A quick question, which I guess the embassy can answer, But off the record... is health insurance required for a retirement visa? I am 75 and financially able to have private health care if required.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Health insurance is not a requirement for the Non-O retirement visa applied for within Thailand. However, the Non-OA visa, which can be applied for outside Thailand, does require health insurance. Discussions indicate some confusion regarding these different visa types and their specific requirements.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement 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.
Lyndon ************
The non-oa retirement visa you can apply for outside of Thailand has a requirement for insurance.

The non-o retirement applied for inside Thailand doesn't require insurance, but requires you to bank 800k in a Thai bank
Chris ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lyndon ***********
that sounds perfectly acceptable. What’s the FD rate for the 800k currently?
Brandon ************
Peter *********
Only for OA visa
Steve **********
I honestly couldn’t tell you why they are different and what qualifications are different for the two. But I do know this: Non OA requires insurance. Non O does not.

I have the Non O and have never had to show any proof of my insurance.
Kyle ********
@Steve *********
correct. I have an OA which can only be applied for outside of Thailand. I am required to have insurance, but I do not need to keep 800k THB in a Thai bank account (although I did have to show that I have the equivalent in my bank account at home)
Rob **********
@Kyle *******
you will definitely need to show the financial requirement of 800,000 baht in your own bank account, if you extend the OA visa inside of Thailand.
Kyle ********
@Rob *********
It works well for me as I'll spend 12 months in Thailand and then go home. Then I will officially retire and return in a few more years!
Heather *******
@Kyle *******
That’s very interesting. I haven’t heard of that in all the years I’ve been coming and going to Thailand
Paul *******
Not required for all visa types.
Bart **************
@Paul ******
not correct
Chris ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bart *************
then? you are probably young enough to go for insurance. I am not.
Bart **************
@Chris **********
by the way I don't think age matters here. You could also make the reverse case: young people may as well live without insurance. Older people less so. That would make more sense to me.
Chris ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bart *************
all I’m saying is that premiums for someone your age are far more affordable? We seem to be at cross purposes? I asked a straightforward question. Hoping for a straightforward answer 😉
Bart **************
@Chris **********
sure, but so are my hospital bills. Myself I wouldn't want to live without insurance if I were 75. I do have insurance now too, but wouldn't be too concerned if I had to bridge a few months or so without.
Chris ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bart *************
Your choice. I also make my choices in life. Never been a fan of insurance. So back to my original question?
Bart **************
@Chris **********
I think I misinterpreted his sentence. I read <not required> for all visa types. But he could have meant: not for all visa types required.

That would be correct. There are two retirement visas, and one requires it, and one doesn't.
Chris ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
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