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What are the visa requirements for a European citizen returning to Thailand after staying for over 230 days this year?

Dec 17, 2025

10 hours ago

Hello, I need your advice, I would like to inquire about the visa requirements for my upcoming trip to Thailand. I have a European citizen.

I previously stayed in Thailand from January 2025 to May 2025, and again from July 2025 to October 2025. I am now planning to return to Thailand in January to visit with my Thai wife.

Could you kindly advise whether I am eligible to travel to Thailand at any time under visa exemption, or if I am required to apply for a visa in advance since i stayed more than 230 days this year. Thank you for your time.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A European citizen with a total of over 230 days spent in Thailand within the year should not rely on the visa exemption for their upcoming trip. It is highly recommended to apply for a NON-O visa based on their marriage to a Thai citizen to avoid entry issues. Community members agree that due to the lengthy previous stays, applying for a proper visa is essential, potentially a marriage-based NON-O visa, to ensure a smooth re-entry into Thailand.

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Pertti *************

Apply multi entry non o from your embassy and send bank statements plus 15.000€ and you're safe side👍 They see your travel history and multiple is possible.

7 hours ago

Sam *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Ok thx guys. No choice I will have to apply for a visa even for 2 months only coz I have to go back to work.

7 hours ago

Wayne ********

@Sam ****

just an FYI, not sure but I believe if you enter Thailand non O Visa based on marriage I believe you can get that for 90 days and then I think you can extend it for another 60. Just something to keep in the back of your mind unless that also has changed.

3 hours ago

Reply to

Wayne ********

John **********

You are exactly the right candidate to be denied entry on a visa exempt stamp. Get a proper visa for the purposes of your stay (and I don't mean a tourist visa)

8 hours ago

Eryk ************

You will probably not be allowed to enter on a visa exemption ⛔.

Alan ********

how do you know

Eryk ************

Logic.

Alan ********

philosophy means nothing marra, unless you think Thai Immigration knows Latin. Get away your another make up artist 🎨

7 hours ago

Alan ********

@Eryk ***********

logic, so you don't know,! do you know statistics?

7 hours ago

Reply to

Alan ********

Krystian ******

You can come on visa exampt and pay for fasttrack vip and someone will pick you up. No questions asked. DM if u need details. Most ppl here are missing this simple solution. $$ speaks in TH

8 hours ago

Paul *******

@Krystian *****

straight forward question I asked

Intelegance not in your realm

Hope your polish English is good enough to understand 🤣

6 hours ago

Greg ***********

@Krystian *****

even to a VIP Entry Service, there will be the moment when they are unable to help you 😅😃 I guess the VIP service will, after checking your entry history, tell you "thank you, but you do not qualify any more after 230 days of visa exempt stay this year"

7 hours ago

Maxim ***********

@Greg **********

The VIP service is specifically for people with extensive entry history. There is no history of people being denied entry with that service.

7 hours ago

Reply to

Maxim ***********

Paul *******

@Krystian *****

I'm interested

Last minute trip just booked

Who do u recommend that does vip fast track

Thank you 🙏

8 hours ago

Reply to

Paul *******

Graham ******

Simple, you have a Thai wife get the Non-O marriage visa and you'll get 90 days on entry

8 hours ago

Farang *********

Well I was also in Thailand Jan to May 2025. Came back in Dec and pulled. Have a Thai wife and told to get a "wife visa"

It appears to be a lottery.

I had 20,000 in cash and a ticket out which I think saved me and got a 60 day visa exempt.

10 hours ago

Lynnette *******

@Farang ********

it's not a lottery. It's quite clear. If you want to live in Thailand there are visas for that. Using visa exempt and border bounces to spend most of the year in Thailand is not really acceptable.

9 hours ago

Farang *********

@Lynnette ******

there was a guy on one site claims he has visited every month for a year on visa exempt Others that have similar patterns as me also get in. So yes it is a lottery based on posts here, no consistency. Luck of the draw.

I come to relax, retired, no job here, no property, no business. Not involved in call centers or bit coins. I am resident in another country and do not stay in Thailand long enough to be a tax resident. I have on record of visa violations.

If they want to stop so called abuse knock it down to 14 days which is more like a "real" tourist. No extensions.

I tour the country as a tourist would. But now if not a tourist then I will not do tourist things and save money. That simple.

2 hours ago

Reply to

Farang *********

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

If you've already been in Thailand for 230 days this year, you are "living in Thailand" and are very likely to encounter issues entering visa exempt. You have a Thai wife, why do you not just apply for a non-O visa based on that? Then you won't have any issues at all.

Also, there is no such thing as a European Citizen, nor is there a such thing as a European passport. Thailand admits people based on the nationality of their passport, and there is no European passport.

10 hours ago

Sam *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

i understand myself when i mentioned European 🙂. French passport.

7 hours ago

Lyndon ************

@Sam ****

Brandon also understood, not all EU style passports have the same visa exemptions to enter Thailand.

7 hours ago

Reply to

Lyndon ************