Are you planning a trip to Thailand and are wondering what the visa and entry requirements are? In the following article, you will learn everything you need to know about the Thailand visa. We have entered the country several times without a visa, but we also obtained a 60-day tourist visa in Malaysia. Having spent almost 5 months in Thailand, we can share our tips and experiences with you.

  • Visa-free entry (up to 60 days)
  • Entry with the Thailand Digital Arrival Card
  • Entry into Thailand – Extension of stay
  • Overstay: What you should avoid
  • Return and onward travel tickets
  • Embassies & Consulates
  • Import & Customs
  • Medical care in Thailand
  • Health regulations
  • International health insurance
  • The best travel guides

Visa-free entry (up to 60 days)

If you have a German passport, you can easily travel to Thailand without a visa – but only for a maximum stay of 60 days (single entry). Most tourists enter the country via Bangkok Airport or Phuket Airport. You should note the following points when entering Thailand:

  • Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months upon entry.
  • You should be able to present a return or onward ticket.
  • A 30-day extension is possible (more on this later).
  • Make sure you get the correct entry stamp to ensure your stay is legal.
  • Children need their own passport!

If you enter by land, you may only stay in the country for a maximum of 60 days without a visa. According to the Federal Foreign Office, visa-free entries by land and sea are limited to a maximum of two entries per calendar year.

Entry with the Thailand Digital Arrival Card

Starting in May 2025, you will again have to fill out a form to enter Thailand – but this time digitally. The old TM6 form will no longer be available in paper form on airplanes, but will be replaced by the new Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). You can complete the form online either individually or for groups. Click here to go directly to the official website: Digital entry form.

Important for you to know:

  • The form is (for now) free of charge
  • You must also provide health information
  • Complete and submit: within 3 days of arrival
  • Applies to almost all entrants – except transit passengers and cross-border commuters

Entry into Thailand – Extension of Stay

You can extend your visa-free stay once for a maximum of 30 days. You must apply for this extension at the relevant immigration office before the end of your stay. Many have also made so-called “visa runs” in the past. After the 30 days had expired, they traveled to a neighboring country and immediately re-entered Thailand. Since 2014, however, the government has been cracking down harder and even refusing further entries.

Back then, we were able to extend our residence permit for another 30 days relatively easily. To do so, we had to go to an official immigration office. For the extension, we only needed our passport, a copy of the first page of your passport, a passport photo, a copy of your departure card, and a copy of your tourist visa.

At the office itself, we were given a TM form, which we had to fill out on site. We then submitted all of this, along with the fee of 1,900 baht (approximately €53), and received our permit. Unfortunately, we don’t know if this still works today. On our last trip (2025), we didn’t need an extension.

Overstay: What You Should Avoid

If you exceed the permitted length of stay (“overstay”), it can get really unpleasant: You face fines, detention pending deportation, and in the worst case, even a re-entry ban. You’ll also have to cover the costs of deportation yourself – so it’s better to extend your stay in time or leave! For an overstay of up to 40 days, you’ll pay 500 baht per day, but a total of a maximum of 20,000 baht.

Return and Onward Travel Tickets

You don’t need a visa to enter Thailand, but you do need a valid return or onward ticket. While hardly anyone will ask for one, in an emergency, you’ll be in pretty bad shape without proof. In case of doubt, you could be refused entry. You should therefore be able to prove your departure, be it with a bus, train, or plane ticket. A booking confirmation for accommodation in the next country should also be possible.

No return or onward ticket yet?

  • Onward Ticket: There are providers who will issue you a valid, official, and recognized onward ticket for a small fee (e.g., Onward Ticket* or DummyTicket247*).
  • Inexpensive Bus Ticket: One inexpensive option is to book a bus ticket to a neighboring country, such as Malaysia or Singapore. You can book such tickets via platforms such as 12go.com*. This always worked perfectly for us on our trip around the world.
  • Accommodation Reservation: A booking confirmation for accommodation in a neighboring country, e.g. B. via Booking.com, can also be helpful to prove your planned departure.
  • Cancellable tickets: Alternatively, you can buy a cancelable flight ticket. If your plans change, you can simply cancel the ticket after you have entered the country.

Embassies & Consulates

  • German Embassy Bangkok
  • Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand Berlin
  • Consulate General of the Kingdom of Thailand Frankfurt am Main
  • Consulate General of the Kingdom of Thailand Munich
  • Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Thailand Essen
  • Honorary Consulate Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein and MV
  • Honorary Consulate Stuttgart

Import & Customs

Like every country, Thailand is subject to certain import and customs regulations.

Import of personal items

You can generally import personal items intended for your own use without any problems. This includes clothing, cosmetics, electronic devices such as smartphones and laptops, and medicines (see below).

Duty-free limits

You may import the following goods duty-free:

  • Cigarettes: Maximum of 200 cigarettes (or 250 grams of tobacco).
  • Alcohol: Maximum of 1 liter of spirits or wine.
  • Gifts and goods: Valued at up to 20,000 baht (approx. €500).

Important: If you exceed the duty-free limits, you can expect severe penalties, e.g. B. high fines or confiscation of goods.

Prohibited or Restricted Import Goods

Some things are strictly regulated or prohibited in Thailand. These include:

  • Drugs: Thailand has strict drug laws with harsh penalties – including the death penalty in serious cases. Although the possession, purchase, cultivation, and sale of cannabis was legalized in 2025, the plan was to abolish this by the end of 2025. So far, nothing has happened.
  • Counterfeit Goods: These include counterfeit brands such as clothing, bags, or electronics.
  • E-Cigarettes: Vaporizers, as well as IQOS, e-cigarettes, and accessories are illegal in Thailand and can be confiscated upon import. In serious cases, heavy fines or even imprisonment may be imposed.
  • Antiques: Cultural goods such as Buddha statues or works of art may only be imported with a special permit from the Fine Arts Department.
  • Souvenirs: The export of leather products made from elephant, crocodile or snake, as well as ivory, can be problematic, as they are subject to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). In many cases, export from Thailand and import into Germany is prohibited.

Medicines

You may import medication for personal use, but:

  • They should be in their original packaging.
  • A maximum of 30 days’ worth of medication is permitted.
  • Prescription Medications: If you are carrying prescription or narcotic medications, you will need a doctor’s certificate and possibly approval from the Thai Ministry of Public Health. More information here: Importing Medications (ENGLISH).

Electronics and Drones

  • Electronic Devices: Personal devices such as laptops, cameras, and smartphones are permitted. For professional equipment, you should check beforehand whether registration is required.
  • Drones: The import and use of drones is regulated. You must register them with the Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) before using them.

Currency

  • Cash: You can easily import or export foreign currency into or out of Thailand. However, amounts over USD 15,000 must be declared to customs.

Medical Care in Thailand

Thailand generally offers good medical care, which is easily accessible to both tourists and expats. The country is known for its modern hospitals, well-trained doctors, and affordable treatment costs.

General Overview

  • Private Hospitals: In private hospitals, you can expect modern standards, good equipment, and often English-speaking staff. Examples are the Bangkok Hospital or the Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok. They are particularly suitable for major procedures, but are more expensive.
  • Public Hospitals: These are significantly cheaper, but you often have to expect longer waiting times and less comfort. They can be an option for minor treatments, but the staff usually speaks little English.
  • Pharmacies: There are numerous pharmacies in Thailand, many of which have long opening hours. Medications are often cheaper than in Europe, and you can buy many medications without a prescription.

Health Regulations

No specific vaccinations are required for your trip to Thailand. However, we recommend checking the Robert Koch Institute’s vaccination calendar. Before your trip, you should have certain vaccinations updated (at least 2 months before departure):

  • Tetanus
  • Measles
  • Diphtheria
  • Mumps
  • Polio
  • Rubella
  • Pertussis (whooping cough)

Hepatitis A is also recommended as a travel vaccination for Thailand, and depending on the type of trip, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, typhoid, cholera, and meningococcus aureus are also recommended. Especially if you are planning a trip around the world and will be staying in Asian countries for an extended period, you should discuss this topic with your family doctor or the tropical institute. If you’re only planning a vacation in Thailand, you probably don’t need any of these vaccinations.

International Health Insurance

International travel insurance is essential. Anything can happen at any time, and in countries outside the EU, it can quickly become expensive. To avoid the financial risk, you should get international health insurance.

There are numerous providers, most of which are taken out for a period of one year and cover a travel period of 6 to 8 weeks per trip. The benefits are important, so you should compare and check them carefully. Such insurance is available from as little as €15 per year (The best international health insurance*).

During our trip around the world, I had to be treated in a hospital on Koh Samui (food poisoning). The treatment and medication cost me around €150 in total. I had to pay the amount out of my own pocket on site, but my insurance company reimbursed me afterwards.

Popular providers of international health insurance

Very important! International health insurance must be taken out before you travel, otherwise it will not apply. Keep the policy number and the provider’s emergency number safe in case you need them on site.

The best travel guides

Want to learn more about Thailand so you’re well prepared for backpacking in Thailand? Then get the really good Thailand travel guide by Stefan Loose*. Here you’ll find absolutely every information you need in almost 900 pages. We also highly recommend the travel guide from DuMont Verlag*.

We also recommend the book by Ferndurst: 105 Reasons to Love Thailand*. It’s a travel guide with heart-pounding moments and insider tips. We’ve also contributed a chapter. Therefore, we’d be even more delighted if you get this book (e-book and print) for your Thailand trip.