Wealth management in Thailand

“Alexis, I'm retiring to Chiang Mai. I've been told Thailand now taxes money brought in from abroad. Does that affect my pension?”

That is the right question, and it does not yet have a written answer. Since 1st January 2024, Thailand has taxed foreign income received since that date that its residents bring into the country. France has asked the Thai authorities how French pensions are treated under the treaty; until a position is published, we treat this point as open.

Thailand had 16,070 French nationals on the consular register as at 31 December 2025, compared with 15,335 a year earlier, that is +4.8% in one year. It is one of the largest French communities in Asia.

The applicable treaty dates from 27 December 1974. It only covers income tax: nothing governs inheritance. At Balmont Conseil, we read it alongside Thailand's 2024 rules.

1. Why seek expert wealth management in Thailand?

Four points determine your situation.

What you remit. A Thai resident is taxed on foreign income brought into Thailand. The timing and source of transfers become a wealth management issue, no longer just a cash one.
A 1974 treaty. Drafted before the current OECD model, it contains no clause excluding from residence persons taxed only on their local income: the Thai remittance regime does not, in itself, deprive you of resident status.
The exit tax requires guarantees. Thailand does not assist France with tax recovery: the deferral must be applied for, with a tax representative in France.
Your estate. No convention governs it: France applies article 750 ter of the general tax code, without conventional correction.

2. The France ↔ Thailand framework in five verified points

Here is the applicable framework, checked against official sources as at 1st October 2026.

French nationals on the register	16,070 as at 31 December 2025 (+4.8% in one year).
Income tax treaty	Yes — treaty of 27 December 1974 and its protocol, clarified by an interpretative agreement of 1999-2000. It only covers income tax: IFI applies under French law alone.
Estate tax treaty	No. No convention governs inheritances or gifts between France and Thailand: Article 750 ter of the General Tax Code applies without conventional correction.
Exit tax — deferral of payment	Deferral on request, with a tax representative and guarantees. Thailand does not assist France with tax recovery (annex BOI-ANNX-000508).
CSG and CRDS on property income and capital gains	17.2% on property income and property capital gains, 18.6% on furnished lettings from 2025 income. The reduced rate of 7.5% does not apply.

Sources: list of tax treaties concluded by France (BOI-ANNX-000306, updated 29 April 2026); exchange-of-information and recovery-assistance clauses (BOI-ANNX-000508, position at 8 October 2025); register of French nationals living outside France at 31 December 2025 (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs); text of the treaty published by impots.gouv.fr; impots.gouv.fr for non-residents' social charges. Position as at 1st October 2026.

On residence. A Thai residence certificate requires a stay of more than 180 days in the year. It is applied for from the Revenue Department, with your Thai tax returns and proof of tax payment.

On pensions. Until the Thai authorities have published their position on French pensions, we assume nothing: we cost both scenarios and organise transfers accordingly.

On your French income. Your rental income remains taxed in France, at the minimum rate of 20%, then 30% above €29,579 of net taxable income, or at the average rate if it is more favourable.

What we do not show. The Thai tax scale and local rules on taxing transfers are handled with a professional authorised in Thailand, with whom we coordinate.

3. Our services: 360° support for expatriates and investors

Three workstreams, in the order in which they are decided.

Your income and transfers

We classify each of your income streams under the 1974 treaty, establish what France continues to tax, and organise the timing of your transfers to Thailand in light of the 2024 rule.

Allocation of each income stream between France and Thailand.
Pensions: both scenarios costed until the Thai position is published.
Minimum rate or average rate: the more favourable of the two.

Departure: residence and exit tax

If your securities exceed €800,000 or if you hold at least 50% of the profits of a company, the exit tax applies (article 167 bis of the general tax code): we prepare the deferral file, with tax representative and guarantees.

A French assurance-vie held by a non-resident no longer bears social charges; a Luxembourg assurance-vie contract can also be examined in light of the Thai transfer rules.

Estate transfer without a treaty

We establish what each heir would pay in France, according to their residence and the situation of the assets, and we prepare the gifts before departure.

4. Methodology: our way of working

We work in four stages, and at each stage you know where you stand.

The initial review. We establish your actual situation: the make-up of your wealth, the project timeline, the situation of each member of the household, and the tax domicile of your heirs — because it is theirs that counts, not yours.
The applicable framework. We set out, source by source and with its date, the framework that applies to you. What we do not know, we mark “to be confirmed” — never anything else.
The choices. We present the options with figures and their respective consequences, and you decide. Wealth structuring comes after the decision, not before.
Ongoing monitoring. An annual review, free of charge, to check that the framework has not moved — treaties are amended, incentive regimes are abolished, thresholds change.

5. What the firm offers you

What concretely sets our work apart.

Sources, not claims. Every item in your file carries its reference and its date. You can check. It is the only way to work on a subject where most of the information available online is out of date.
A single point of contact in France. We coordinate your local advisers; we do not replace them: the host country's domestic tax rules are handled with a qualified professional on the ground. Our role is to keep the whole picture consistent and to defend the French side of the file.
Fees that are easy to understand. Fees disclosed before any commitment: fixed-price reviews, tailor-made engagements at €500 incl. VAT per hour, insurers' commissions on contracts taken out. The annual review is free of charge.

Frequently asked questions: Thailand

Does Thailand tax the money I bring from France?

Since 1st January 2024, a Thai resident has been taxed on foreign income received since that date that they bring into Thailand. No Thai position has been published on how French pensions are treated under the 1974 treaty: this is a point to settle before setting your transfers.

Is the exit tax deferral automatic for a move to Thailand?

No. Thailand does not assist France with tax recovery (annex BOI-ANNX-000508). The deferral must be applied for, with a tax representative and guarantees (Article 167 bis of the French Tax Code).

How do I obtain a Thai residence certificate?

At the Thai Revenue Department, which requires a stay of more than 180 days in the year, with your Thai tax returns and proof of tax payment.

Is my French rental income still taxed in France?

Yes: at a minimum rate of 20% up to €29,579 of net taxable income and 30% above that, unless you opt for the average rate, plus social charges of 17.2% on unfurnished lettings and 18.6% on furnished lettings from 2025 income.

Will my estate be taxed in France?

For your assets located in France, yes, and for all assets received by an heir domiciled in France for at least six of the last ten years (Article 750 ter of the French Tax Code). No treaty governs inheritance between France and Thailand.

In summary

Thailand now taxes what its residents remit, the position on French pensions has yet to be published, the exit tax requires guarantees and no text protects your estate.

These points are dealt with before departure, and your transfers are organised accordingly.

Firm's fees: €500 incl. VAT per hour. Annual follow-up is free of charge.