Property
Thailand — Property: Mortgage Availability
Thailand's official sources do not publish which banks lend mortgages to foreigners or on what terms, so each lender decides: ask banks directly about residency, work-permit and income requirements. What the official guidance does say is that foreigners can own condominium units only within a 49% foreign quota, which the 2026 BOI guide measures on total floor area of all units, and they must show lawful residency under the Immigration Act or authorisation under the Investment Promotion Act. Housing-loan loan-to-value limits are set by the Bank of Thailand, which temporarily relaxed them for eligible borrowers for contracts signed between 1 May 2025 and 30 June 2026 and extended the relaxation in May 2026; check the Bank of Thailand's May 2026 notice for the current terms.
Why this matters
Because local mortgage options are narrow, most foreign buyers need to plan financing from outside Thailand before committing to a purchase — assuming a local mortgage will be available late in the process is a common and costly planning mistake.
Key facts
- No official source lists which Thai banks lend mortgages to foreigners; terms are set by each lender.
- Foreign ownership of condominium units is limited to 49%; the 2026 BOI guide says the cap is on total floor area of all units, so confirm the basis with the Land Department.
- Foreign buyers must show lawful residency under the Immigration Act or authorisation under the Investment Promotion Act.
- The Bank of Thailand sets housing-loan loan-to-value rules and temporarily relaxed them for contracts signed 1 May 2025–30 June 2026, extending the relaxation in May 2026; check its notice for current terms.
Steps
- Check bank eligibility early — Before committing to a purchase, confirm whether any bank (e.g. UOB Thailand) will lend given your visa status, work permit, and income documentation.
- Consider home-country financing — Many foreign buyers arrange a mortgage or equity release against assets in their home country instead, since Thai financing is limited.
- Clarify developer financing terms — For off-plan purchases, confirm exactly what portion of the price developer financing covers and what happens at project completion.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a Thai mortgage is available to foreigners on the same terms as Thai buyers — lenders set their own criteria.