Thailand confirms it should reduce visa-free stays to 30 days for EU travellers

European Union passport holders will see visa-free stays in Thailand slashed from the center of September.

The Southeast Asian nation has introduced that it’s halving the size of journeys with out visas for vacationers from greater than 60 international locations and territories to 30 days.

The transfer was floated again in May, but it surely has now been confirmed that it’s going to come into pressure on 15 September.

Euronews Travel beforehand reported that the choice was apparently right down to a string of high-profile crimes involving international nationals.

Local studies present a lot of latest arrests of foreigners who’ve been accused of every part from drug offences and intercourse trafficking to working companies together with resorts and colleges with out correct permits.

Nevertheless, tourism is significant to Thailand’s economic system, accounting for greater than 10% of its GDP, and it stays one of the crucial visited international locations on the continent.

Currently, guests from greater than 90 international locations, together with these within the 29-nation Schengen Area, are in a position to go to Thailand for as much as 60 days with no visa.

In a fortnight, although, greater than 60 of these international locations – together with the EU nations – will see that period reduce to 30 days.

The Thai international ministry’s consular affairs has but to announce a choice on the standing of travellers from round 20 extra international locations.

Visitors from Peru, Brazil and South Korea will, unusually, see their visas prolonged and, from the center of the month, be granted 90-day visa-free stays, up from 60 beforehand.

It’s not all dangerous information for European vacationers, although.

As Euronews Travel beforehand reported, guests on visa-free stays will have the ability to lengthen their stays on one event, on the discretion of an immigration officer.

There’s additionally the choice to get a Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), which allows stays of as much as 180 days per entry, and that may be prolonged by an extra 180 days.

There is a slight catch, nevertheless: candidates should present proof that they’ve at the least 500,000 baht – or €13,000 – in a checking account, in addition to proof of employment outdoors of Thailand for distant staff.

Thailand has attracted almost 21 million international guests because the starting of 2026, though that’s down 3% on the identical interval final yr, and continues a development for customer numbers not but returning to pre-pandemic ranges.