Comparison
Freehold vs Leasehold Property in Thailand: Which Suits You
Freehold in Thailand is available to a foreigner only for a condominium unit under the 49 percent quota. Leasehold, typically 30 years registered on the title, is the standard route to a villa. Freehold carries full title and full resale value; leasehold carries a diminishing term and a renewal risk. The right choice depends on your holding period and succession plan, as of Q3 2026.
Last updated 2026-07-26
This is the single most important ownership decision a foreign buyer makes in Thailand. The two structures are not interchangeable and the cost comparison is not obvious. This page sets out what each gives you, what each costs, and who each suits.
Side by side
| Attribute | Freehold | Leasehold (30yr) |
|---|---|---|
| Available to a foreigner | Condo only, 49% quota | Villa and condo |
| Term | Permanent | 30 years registered |
| Renewal certainty | Not needed | Contractual, not guaranteed |
| Resale value over time | Stable | Diminishing with term |
| Inheritance | Direct, under will | Passes to remaining term |
| Finance against the asset | Easier | Harder |
| Upfront cost | Higher | Lower |
| Best suited for | Long-hold, condo buyer | Lifestyle villa, short-hold |
Cost model with real numbers
| Cost item | Freehold | Leasehold (30yr) |
|---|---|---|
| 25m THB villa, structure | Not available in a foreign name | 30yr lease on title. We do not recommend a Thai company |
| Upfront structure cost | 150k to 350k THB | 40k to 90k THB |
| Annual company cost | 60k to 120k THB | Nil |
| Resale value at year 20 | Full market value | One third of term remains |
The verdict
Buy freehold where you can: a condominium unit in a building with quota available, held in your own name. Buy leasehold only where freehold is not available, which for a villa is always the case, and only for a holding period that fits comfortably inside the 30-year term with a margin. Never buy a leasehold as if it were a freehold; the maths of a diminishing term is different and must be priced in.
FAQ
Questions about this comparison
Can a foreigner own land freehold in Thailand?
No. A foreign natural person cannot own land freehold in Thailand. A foreigner can own a condominium unit freehold under the 49 percent foreign quota of the building. For a villa we recommend a 30-year leasehold, or a usufruct where it fits. We do not recommend setting up a Thai company. This is our advice as of Q3 2026.
Is a 30-year leasehold in Thailand safe?
A leasehold registered on the chanote at the Land Office is legally robust for the registered term. The risk is not legality; it is the diminishing term and the renewal. A 30-year lease loses roughly one third of its value at year 20. Renewal clauses are contractual, not guaranteed.
Is the Thai company structure a real freehold?
No. It is not ownership in your own name, and we do not recommend setting one up to hold a villa or land. For a villa we recommend a registered leasehold. For a condominium, freehold in your own name under the foreign quota is the clean route.
Which is better for inheritance, freehold or leasehold?
Freehold. A freehold condo passes under your will directly. A leasehold passes only the remaining term, and renewal rights may not pass at all. Where succession matters, a freehold condominium is the cleaner asset, as of Q3 2026.
Written by
Mark Puttkammer
Managing Director
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