Moving to Phuket in 2026: visa, housing, banking, schools, healthcare
A step-by-step 2026 relocation plan for Phuket expats: which visa to choose, monthly cost of living, opening a bank account, schools for children and how healthcare works.
Updated: 2026-03-16 · 12 min read · AURA Phuket
Phuket long ago stopped being only a resort: remote professionals, families and entrepreneurs live here. This guide is a practical plan for your first three months.
Key facts
- A comfortable single budget is roughly 60,000–90,000 ฿ a month; a family with a child, from 120,000 ฿.
- The main living visas: ED (study), DTV (remote work), retirement from age 50, LTR for investors.
- Housing is cheaper on a yearly contract and in the green season.
- A Thai bank account is opened with a long-stay visa or via an agent with proof of address.
- International schools cost 300,000–900,000 ฿ a year; Thai-English schools are far cheaper.
Step 1. A visa that matches your case
- DTV — for remote employees and freelancers, a long stay with multiple entry.
- ED visa — through a language or sports school, popular for a trial year on the island.
- Retirement visa — from age 50, with financial requirements.
- LTR — a long-term visa for investors and in-demand professionals.
- Marriage visa — if your spouse is a Thai citizen.
Terms depend on nationality, income and purpose and change periodically, so treat this as guidance rather than legal advice. Prepare documents with a licensed agent and check official sources.
Step 2. Housing and the right area
Rawai and Nai Harn suit families and anyone who wants the calm south. Chalong and Kathu balance price and logistics. Phuket Town works for those who work and want a city, cafes and schools nearby. Bang Tao and Laguna are the premium scenario with new infrastructure. Rent monthly at first and sign a yearly contract once you know where you feel at home.
Long-term rental and buying a home
Step 3. Money and a bank account
- A Thai bank account is easier to open with a long-stay visa and proof of address (TM30).
- Many people use multi-currency cards for the first months until an account is opened.
- Thai ATM withdrawals nearly always carry a fixed fee — take out larger amounts.
- Card payment is common in malls and chain cafes; markets are cash.
- A Thai account is needed for rent, utilities and subscriptions.
Step 4. Healthcare and insurance
Phuket has strong private hospitals with English-speaking staff and modern equipment, but healthcare is paid. An international or local insurance policy is essential: a routine visit is cheap, while hospitalisation or surgery costs hundreds of thousands of baht. For a family, save a house-call clinic contact in advance.
Clinics, insurance and house-call doctors
Step 5. Schools and children
- International schools (British, IB, American curricula) — 300,000 to 900,000 ฿ a year.
- Bilingual Thai-English schools cost several times less.
- Places at popular schools go early — apply several months ahead.
- Factor in the commute: morning traffic in Bang Tao and Phuket Town eats time.
- Sports academies (football, tennis, swimming, Muay Thai) often provide an ED visa.
Step 6. Daily life: internet, transport, paperwork
- Home fibre internet costs from 500–800 ฿ a month and is installed within days.
- Mobile: a local number is handy for deliveries and ride apps.
- A Thai driving licence needs a medical certificate, TM30 and a residence certificate.
- Long-stay visas require a 90-day address report.
- Coworking spaces exist in Phuket Town, Rawai, Chalong and Bang Tao.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do you need to live in Phuket per month?
A frugal single budget is roughly 40,000–50,000 ฿ a month; a comfortable one is 60,000–90,000 ฿ including rent, transport, food and insurance. For a family with a child in an international school, budgets start around 120,000 ฿.
Which visa suits remote work in Phuket?
The usual route is the DTV, a visa for remote workers and long trips with multiple entry. Alternatives are an ED visa through a school or the LTR for professionals and investors. Confirm exact requirements with a licensed agent.
Can a tourist open a Thai bank account?
On a tourist entry it is difficult and depends on the branch. It is more reliable with a long-stay visa plus proof of address (TM30), a rental contract and sometimes a letter from the immigration office.
Where should an expat family live in Phuket?
Families usually pick Rawai, Nai Harn and Chalong for calm and prices, Phuket Town for city infrastructure and schools, and Bang Tao or Laguna for the premium format. The school and the commute to it usually decide it.