Travellers from EU countries will have less time to explore Thailand without a visa from 15 September, as the popular holiday destination halves its current 60-day allowance.
European Union passport holders will see visa-free stays in Thailand slashed from the middle of September.
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The Southeast Asian nation has announced that it’s halving the length of trips without visas for tourists from more than 60 countries and territories to 30 days.
The move was floated back in May, but it has now been confirmed that it will come into force on 15 September.
Euronews Travel previously reported that the decision was apparently down to a string of high-profile crimes involving foreign nationals.
Local reports show a number of recent arrests of foreigners who’ve been accused of everything from drug offences and sex trafficking to operating businesses including hotels and schools without proper permits.
Nevertheless, tourism is vital to Thailand’s economy, accounting for more than 10% of its GDP, and it remains one of the most visited countries on the continent.
Currently, visitors from more than 90 countries, including those in the 29-nation Schengen Area, are able to visit Thailand for up to 60 days without a visa.
In a fortnight, though, more than 60 of those countries – including the EU nations – will see that duration cut to 30 days.
The Thai foreign ministry's consular affairs has yet to announce a decision on the status of travellers from around 20 more countries.
Visitors from Peru, Brazil and South Korea will, unusually, see their visas extended and, from the middle of the month, be granted 90-day visa-free stays, up from 60 previously.
It’s not all bad news for European tourists, though.
As Euronews Travel previously reported, visitors on visa-free stays will be able to extend their stays on one occasion, at the discretion of an immigration officer.
There’s also the option to get a Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), which permits stays of up to 180 days per entry, and that can be extended by an additional 180 days.
There is a slight catch, however: applicants must show evidence that they have at least 500,000 baht – or €13,000 – in a bank account, as well as proof of employment outside of Thailand for remote workers.
Thailand has attracted nearly 21 million foreign visitors since the beginning of 2026, although that’s down 3% on the same period last year, and continues a trend for visitor numbers not yet returning to pre-pandemic levels.
