How much does it cost to buy a condo in Thailand?

Around 2% to 4% of the price in one-off costs on top of the purchase price: a 2% transfer fee (usually split with the seller), a one-off sinking fund, and prepaid common-area fees.

Who pays the transfer fee in Thailand?

By law it is not assigned to one side, so it is negotiated. In practice buyer and seller commonly split the 2% transfer fee 50/50.

What tax do you pay when selling a condo in Thailand?

Specific Business Tax of 3.3% if you sell within five years, or 0.5% stamp duty if you hold longer, plus a withholding tax calculated at the Land Office on the appraised value and holding period.

Do foreigners pay more to buy a condo in Thailand?

No. Foreigners pay the same fees and taxes as Thai buyers. The only extra step is transferring the funds from abroad in foreign currency and obtaining the FET form.

Updated July 19, 2026 · 4 min read

Cost of Buying a Condo in Thailand: Taxes, Fees and Transfer Costs (2026)

Beyond the purchase price, expect to pay roughly 2% to 4% more in one-off costs when buying a condo in Thailand. The main item is the 2% transfer fee, usually split with the seller, plus a one-off sinking fund and ongoing common-area fees. Foreigners pay the same purchase costs as Thais; the difference is only in how the money must arrive.

Costs at purchase

Transfer fee: 2% of the government-appraised value, commonly split 50/50 between buyer and seller.
Sinking fund: a one-time payment into the building's reserve, charged per square metre (a few hundred baht per sqm).
Common-area fee: a monthly maintenance charge, per square metre, often paid a year ahead at transfer.
Legal and due-diligence fees: optional but recommended, especially for foreign buyers checking the quota and title.

Do foreigners pay extra tax to buy?

No. A foreigner pays the same transfer fee and building charges as a Thai buyer. The only foreigner-specific requirement is that the purchase funds are transferred into Thailand from abroad in foreign currency, with the bank issuing a Foreign Exchange Transaction (FET) form for the title transfer.

Taxes when you sell

Selling within five years triggers Specific Business Tax of 3.3% of the sale or appraised value, whichever is higher. If you hold longer than five years, a lower stamp duty of 0.5% applies instead. A withholding tax is also calculated at the Land Office, based on the appraised value and years held. Budget these when you work out your net return.

A worked example

On a ฿5,000,000 condo, the 2% transfer fee is ฿100,000. Split with the seller, you pay ฿50,000, plus perhaps ฿30,000 to ฿60,000 in sinking fund and a year of common-area fees. So the cash you need is closer to ฿5,100,000 than ฿5,000,000.

CondoReturn factors ongoing fees into the net return it shows for every unit, so the yield you see is closer to what you actually keep.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to buy a condo in Thailand?: Around 2% to 4% of the price in one-off costs on top of the purchase price: a 2% transfer fee (usually split with the seller), a one-off sinking fund, and prepaid common-area fees.
Who pays the transfer fee in Thailand?: By law it is not assigned to one side, so it is negotiated. In practice buyer and seller commonly split the 2% transfer fee 50/50.
What tax do you pay when selling a condo in Thailand?: Specific Business Tax of 3.3% if you sell within five years, or 0.5% stamp duty if you hold longer, plus a withholding tax calculated at the Land Office on the appraised value and holding period.
Do foreigners pay more to buy a condo in Thailand?: No. Foreigners pay the same fees and taxes as Thai buyers. The only extra step is transferring the funds from abroad in foreign currency and obtaining the FET form.