Phuket is Thailand's largest resort property market: dozens of condominiums and villa estates are under construction, with prices starting from ฿4M for a studio. Here is the full Phuket villa buying process for 2025–2026 — how a foreigner can buy an apartment or villa on the island, from choosing a project to handover.
Step 1. Choose the ownership structure
Freehold — full ownership. Foreigners can own condominium units freehold (up to 49% of a project's area by law). It is the most secure option: the property is yours indefinitely and can be sold, gifted or inherited.
Leasehold — a 30-year registered lease with renewals (usually 30+30+30). It is faster and cheaper to register: for example, at AYANA Heights Seaview Residences base prices are leasehold, with freehold available for +10%. Villa land is typically structured via leasehold or a Thai company.
Step 2. Verify the developer
Before signing, request the chanote (land title deed), the construction permit, the EIA approval and the company's DBD registration. Every project in our catalog has these documents verified — we can send the full pack for any development.
Step 3. Reserve the unit
A unit is taken off the market once you pay the reservation fee — usually ฿100,000–300,000 depending on the number of bedrooms. The fee is normally non-refundable but is deducted from the price.
Step 4. Sign the contract and pay in stages
The sale and purchase agreement is signed within 15–30 days of reservation. Then payments follow construction milestones. A typical plan: 30% at contract, 30% at structure completion, 15% at finishing, 15% at doors and windows, 10% at handover. At Bamboo Forest installments stretch to the end of 2028, while ESSENCE offers a 15% discount for full payment.
Step 5. Budget for additional costs
- Furniture package — ฿0.5–7.5M; free in some projects (Bamboo Forest, ESSENCE);
- Sinking fund — a one-time ฿300–800 per m²;
- Common fee — ฿25–100 per m² per month, paid a year in advance;
- Registration fee — ~2.2% freehold / 1.1% leasehold, usually split 50/50 with the developer;
- Water and electricity meters — about ฿20,000.
Step 6. Handover
Once construction is complete you inspect the unit, sign the handover act and make the final payment. Title registration takes place at the Phuket Land Office — you will need bank confirmation that the funds arrived in Thailand from abroad (FET form).
Buying directly from developers through Phuket Estate means no commission: our fee is paid by the developer and every price comes from an official price list. Browse all 260+ units in the catalog.