What are the visa options and cost of living for a New Zealand citizen considering retirement in Thailand?

Thailand Visa options Living costs Retirement New Zealand citizen Healthcare Insurance Expat advice Pension Cost of living Hua Hin

Oct 11, 2024

6 days ago

Francis *******************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I will be eligible for my mention in May next year to considering where I want to live for rest of my retirement. Looking at 2 options-Australia as I've travelled there a lot or Thailand which I've heard a lot about.

I am NZ citizen born in NZ. How difficult to get a Visa-what kind of Visa would I need to be able to live there & how much would it cost & where would I apply?

I can see that I could probably rent an apartment for 10,000 THB per month roughly but what about all the other expenses-what does it cost you to live there per month-power/internet/insurance/I would have a motorcycle to get around so fuel/eating out (as apartments generally have no cooking facilities). Do you need medical insurance? Doctor?

If you want to meet someone around your age to get married how sincere are they-loyal, or are they jsut after your money? Where do you start?

Basically I would just want to be able to afford to live comfortably with tidy apartment maybe Hua Hin, meet someone nice & do some touring around the country & occasionally go on an overseas trip-provided it's affordable. It sounds like maybe some people make it happen but are they relying on extra savings or investments to survive or can they manage on their pension as obviously you can't work on your visa over there ,whereas in Australia I would probably keep working doing what I'm doing in NZ.

7,159

views

likes

171

all likes

replies

images

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The user, a New Zealand citizen nearing retirement, is considering relocating to either Australia or Thailand. They seek information on visa eligibility, costs associated with living in Thailand, including apartment rentals, monthly expenses, and whether health insurance is necessary. Desired topics include the sincerity of relationships in Thailand, especially regarding marriage, and whether it's practical to rely on a pension or supplemental income to live comfortably. The conversation includes various insights from other users, suggesting trial visits to Thailand, discussing possible visa types (such as the DTV and Non-Immigrant O), and outlining living costs such as rent, utilities, and food.

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.

John ********

Have a read through it carefully and then remember that you have to do it yourself again next year for the rest of your time in Thailand

2 days ago

Randall *********

Like some here said. Try it out for 2 months to decide. Obviously its going to be easier than living in oz on a pension.

5 days ago

Keil ******

You can live well with that amount but yes that amount doesnt make you rich in any part of the world. You can live well but since you adapt yourself to the country thats the difficult part everything works different in Thailand. Can live cheap but not expecting luxury , also expect many people try to scam you, difficult burocracy, the sewage system not the best... Of course the life expectancy there is like 60-70 yrs for something. But yes visit first but i recommend you for that amount the caribbean

5 days ago

Paul *****************

Visit first because no one can possibly answer all the questions you’ve posed. Thailand will certainly be cheaper than oz.

5 days ago

James *********

I'd advise spending at least a month or two, if not 6, in both Countries just to see how you fare, before making a final move. Thai women are similar to women in most countries, they want love, but security is very important to them. Scammers of all nationalities exist.

5 days ago

John *******

Why not consider travelling within S.E.Asia and checking out not only Thailand but Vietnam, Laos or Philippines before making what will be a very important decision for your future.

5 days ago

Paul ***************

I would certainly suggest you consider Cambodia as an option, easy very easy for a visa and some cheap rentals

5 days ago

Paul ***************

I'm paying 5000 bhat a month plus power n water

In a 2 bedroom place with a/c

5 days ago

Francis *******************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Paul **************

very good value.

2 days ago

Reply to

Francis *******************

Damien ********

😳 WTF !!!

Just get on a plane and spend a month in Thailand and talk to some foreigners that live here

…look around

Learn

Your questions have hundreds of possible answers !!!

Educate yourself!!!

5 days ago

Dave ********

Thailand over Australia for certain. Crazy expensive in Australia and Thailand is heaven

5 days ago

Dianne *****

Best advice, rent out your property in New Zealand, come to Thailand for 2 plus years before you make any definite plans about liquidating your assets and moving to Thailand permanently. By the end of two years many foreigners who thought they wanted to live in Thailand forever, have gone home. It takes about that long for the rose coloured glasses to come off. Thailand has lots to offer, but it is not perfect or paradise, but it's definitely worth giving it a try to see if it is right for you

5 days ago

Andy ******

Come on 60 days visa exempt and try out different places in Thailand and see the prices of everything,then decide what you want to do ,I would never think of retirement to any country unless I had been there a few times already for a few months living there to see I liked it or not but different people have different ideas

5 days ago

David *********

70 married to a large thai family , 12 years , permanent resident 4 years, retired from the USA 2 pensions that will never run out , cash in the bank , etrade investments, own our own home free and clear 1,500,000 baht , no property taxes as a primary residence , good health care system, public or private I use as a local does , great food if you like spicy, hot and humid everyday , no escaping that unless you live in AC, 90 km north of BKK not near anything interesting so no tourists and low costs , 31 c and 80 % humidity and I consider that a cool morning ... I stay busy with hobbies and cooking and such, only do the beach thing once a year for the kids , otherwise no interest in any of the usual tourist stuff , just a bunch of loud naked drunk guys chasing young girls

5 days ago

Peter **********

There are between 30mln and 40mln women in Thailand and you ask what “they” are after??? 🤨

Maybe you need to reconsider your view on the female half of the world. 😉

5 days ago

Francis *******************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Peter *********

I haven't being there so not familiar with their culture so I cant comment from experience. The one's I've met here seem very reluctant to comment. From what I've seen from other people's experiences that in general the Asians are money oriented.

5 days ago

Peter **********

@Francis ******************

“So are male New Zealanders generally sexist pricks or not?”

(Wouldn’t that be an equally ridiculous and insulting question?)

5 days ago

Reply to

Peter **********

Dianne *****

Would you be eligible for Medicare if you moved to Austraia? That could be a big deciding factor ie free healthcare and access to goverment subsidised medication. I ask because I've met Kiwi workers who are and others who aren't. Don't have any knowledge about Kiwi retirees. Healthcare costs in Thailand are relatively cheap, except if you're used to free healthcare in your country of origin ie a doctors visit in a private hospital outpatients department could be as little $12-20 AUS. However if you have a stroke or heart attack or end up in ICU after a serious motorbike accident you're looking at tens of thousands of AUS dollars for your medical treatment unless you have robust private health cover and no pre-existing medical conditions

5 days ago

Francis *******************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Dianne ****

an ex kiwi has to be resident in Australia for 4 years to get become an Australian citizen & get free health care. So short answer is no.

5 days ago

Reply to

Francis *******************

Andrew ******

Just be aware if you choose the Thailand option then you can not stay over 6 months at anytime and still receive the NZ Govt pension. You have to do a day under 6 months then home in NZ 6 months then you can go back again for just under 6 months. So if you want to live there permanently in Thailand you have to forgo the Govt Pension.

5 days ago

Andrew ******

Thanks for your comment. If you have more information please share as I am sure many Kiwis would like to live and retire in Thailand on full NZ Govt Super.

As I am also considering retiring in Thailand I called the International Services at work and income in NZ 0800777227 but as I am not at 65 years yet they will not give any details about if you can receive the Govt NZ Super if you choose to live in Thailand after retirement. Of course you can get it if NZ has an SSA ( Social Security Agreement ) as in countries like Canada , Ireland etc. However Thailand does not have a SSA with NZ. So once you turn 65 and are approved the NZ Super then you can call the 0800 number above and talk to the Testing Team to see if you meet certain criteria to live in Thailand and receive your NZ Super too.

**********

*****

but as I am not at 65 years yet they will not give any details about if you can receive the Govt NZ Super if you choose to live in Thailand after retirement. Of course you can get it if NZ has an SSA ( Social Security Agreement ) as in countries like Canada , Ireland etc. However Thailand does not have a SSA with NZ. So once you turn 65 and are approved the NZ Super then you can call the 0800 number above and talk to the Testing Team to see if you meet certain criteria to live in Thailand and receive your NZ Super too.

5 days ago

Andrew ******

Thanks for all your info that’s really helpful and the calculation is good too. Unfortunately I have lived in Thailand for many years so will only complete 16 years but better than nothing.

4 days ago

Ron ******

@Andrew *****

First thing go to the MSD website and navigate to the section on pensions and living overseas, most of your questions will be answered there. Basically there are 3 categories; countries NZ has SSAs with, Pacific island countries, other countries (which includes Thailand). For other countries how much you will receive depends on how long you lived in NZ between the age of 20 and 65. If you lived here the entire time you will get the full amount. If not you get

*****

th for each month lived in NZ between those ages (45 years = 540 months).

5 days ago

Ron ******

I'm not 65 until January and I've spoken to International Services on at least two occasions and they've been extremely helpful, I guess it just depends on who you get. But they are right, you can't apply until you have your pension. There will be an application form to complete, they'll require proof that your moving (tickets, address etc), they'll also require which bank you want the pension paid into (you can elect a NZ one or Thai one). You will also be required to have an interview which they told me can be arranged by phone in many cases. Hope this helps and clarifies how it works.

5 days ago

Reply to

Ron ******

@Andrew *****

💯 incorrect.

5 days ago

Reply to

Ron ******

Terary **********

I am not sure your visa situation in Australia, but it's pretty good in Thailand.

Why no come stay six months, visit a few places then make life long plans?

5 days ago

Frank **********

What's a mention??