Health insurance when moving to Thailand: the checkpoints

For newcomers, the first thing that matters is which group of the state system they fall into.

Whether newcomers without employment have access to the UCS or another state programme is something you clarify with the National Health Security Office (NHSO) and the Ministry of Health before you rely on it.

These are the questions you ask there:

• Who does the system apply to, and what proof does registration require?
• What do you pay yourself for a doctor’s visit, and does access also apply in emergencies?

Two routes are open to you: social security through employment and the requirement of your category of stay.

If you are employed in Thailand, social security is the starting point. Ask your employer from when your registration takes effect and whether a waiting period applies until the first benefits.

Whether newcomers without employment have a further insurance requirement is something you clarify shortly before booking with the competent Thai mission (embassy or consulate general) and the Immigration Bureau.

Proof depends on the category of stay. The table shows what the official lists say about health insurance.

According to the Board of Investment’s document lists (as of 6 November 2025), for the LTR travel insurance and life insurance without health insurance are not accepted, and a group policy must offer at least USD 50,000 per person.

For the O-X, the residence permit can be revoked if the holder cannot show the required health insurance.

What matters is what your category of stay requires. The table classifies the three routes.

You have the mission confirm whether an international policy meets the requirement of your category before you take it out. More on this under International health insurance.

Before you deregister (Abmeldung) in Germany, you clarify in writing what happens to your current insurance. The questions below apply to any destination country. They are questions, not legal advice: the answers are in your contract documents or come from the body you ask.

Thailand lies outside the EU. In its travel and safety advice for Thailand (as of 10 October 2026), the Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) recommends international travel health insurance with evacuation cover. Ask your Krankenkasse (your statutory health insurer) or your insurer explicitly about Thailand and get the answer in writing.

If you have statutory insurance: questions for your Krankenkasse

• What happens to my membership when I deregister in Germany, and on what date does it end?
• Can I suspend the membership or take it up again later, and under what conditions?
• What confirmation of my previous insurance periods do I receive, and how quickly?
• What applies to co-insured family members: who stays insured and who does not?
• Is there an entitlement to benefits for treatment in Thailand, and what applies in emergencies and for repatriation?

If you have private insurance: questions for your insurer

• Does my contract end with the move, is it suspended or does it continue?
• Is there an Anwartschaft (a German option to keep certain rights in private insurance while abroad), and what is preserved under it? Ask about the difference between the small and the large Anwartschaft, and whether a new health assessment would be needed on a return.
• Does my contract apply in the destination country, and for how long at a stretch?
• Which documents do I receive in writing before I cancel?
• Does my contract meet the requirements of the category of stay I am aiming for, and does the insurer issue the required certificate?

Do not cancel any contract before it is clarified in writing what applies afterwards. We explain the connections on the pages Health insurance when emigrating and PKV and Anwartschaft. For families, there is more at Health insurance for the family abroad.

1. Clarifying the category late

   Proof depends on the category of stay. Clarify it before you cancel or take out contracts.

2. Checking only the territory

   The area of cover alone is not enough. Have it confirmed in writing that minimum sum, term and type of insurer fit your category.

3. Treating travel and health insurance as the same

   Read the wording for your category to see whether travel insurance counts as health insurance, and ask if in doubt.

4. Relying on plans instead of the list

   Reports about new requirements do not replace the mission’s current list. Check the current position shortly before booking.