Practical

What health insurance do you need for a long stay in Thailand?

Short answer

Thailand doesn't require health insurance from ordinary tourists, but some long-stay visas set a minimum level of cover, so check your visa's official page. Whatever your visa, hospitals require a guarantee of payment or a deposit before treatment: without cover your insurer has confirmed, expect to pay first and claim the money back.

Checked · 5 sources · How we check

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How hospitals expect to be paid

All hospitals require a guarantee of payment before treating patients, the UK government says.3 Australia's advice says hospitals need a deposit and confirmation of your insurance before admitting you, and that without insurance you may have to pay thousands of dollars up front.4 With an insurer that hasn't confirmed cover, expect to pay first and claim the money back.4

When a visa requires it

Some long-stay visas set a minimum level of health cover, for example the Non-Immigrant O-A1 and the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa.2 The amounts and the wording an application needs are on each visa's official page; check the current one where you apply, as conditions change.

What to check in a policy

  • Inpatient and outpatient cover in Thailand, and whether the insurer can send a guarantee of payment to the hospital directly.
  • Medical evacuation.3
  • For a visa: the minimum amount and the length of cover your visa's official page asks for.12
  • Exclusions, such as riding a motorbike without the right licence.5

Visiting for a short trip? See travel insurance for Thailand.

Questions people ask

Do I need health insurance to live in Thailand?

It depends on your visa. Some long-stay visas, such as the Non-Immigrant O-A and the Long-Term Resident visa, set a minimum level of health cover; check your visa's official page.

Do Thai hospitals accept foreign health insurance?

Hospitals require a guarantee of payment or a deposit before treatment. If your insurer doesn't confirm cover, you may have to pay the bill and claim it back.

Sources

  1. Health insurance requirements for applicants of the Non-Immigrant O-A visa (page updated 30 November 2022), Royal Thai Embassy, Madrid. Checked 14 October 2026.
  2. Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa: qualifications, Thailand Board of Investment. Checked 14 October 2026.
  3. Thailand travel advice: health, UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Checked 14 October 2026.
  4. Thailand travel advice (updated 29 September 2026), Australian Government, Smartraveller. Checked 14 October 2026.
  5. Thailand travel advice: safety and security, UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Checked 14 October 2026.

Facts on this page were checked on the date shown. Rules and prices change; the source is the final word. Found something out of date? Tell us.

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