What You Need to Move to Phuket: Visas, Costs & Essentials

Are you thinking of moving to Phuket?

Phuket is a beautiful place with some of the most incredible beaches, warm (and a little wet) weather all year round, delicious food and a much slower pace of life compared to the West.

My boyfriend and I lived in Phuket for 6 months and while the move itself was so exciting, there are a few things you need to sort out before packing your bags that are too important to forget!

This blog breaks down exactly what you need to move to Phuket from different visa options, finding somewhere to live to having the correct International Driving Permit too.

1. Flights to Thailand

Flights are one of the first big things to plan when moving Phuket, Thailand, and prices can vary massively depending on when you fly. We flew with Emirates from London to Bangkok and had a great experience overall as the service was excellent, the flight was comfortable and everything ran smoothly which was great as I was so emotional leaving my family!

We got a really good deal for our flights which were around £340 one way, landing in Bangkok on the 1st April which felt like really good value for such a long-haul flight. Bangkok is usually the easiest and cheapest airport to fly into internationally, and from there you can either take a domestic flight to Phuket.

I definitely noticed a difference in the times of the year and the flight prices. If you’re flexible, I’d highly recommend travelling during the quieter season, which generally runs from April through to September. This is when flights and accommodation are noticeably cheaper and it is generally more quiet around Phuket.

If you fly during high season (roughly November to March), especially around Christmas, New Year or school holidays, expect to pay significantly more for flights and accommodation. Prices can jump quickly during these months. We were told during high season you can expect to pay minimum 2-3 times more than in quiet season.

2. Choosing the Right Visa for Phuket

One of the first things we did before even booking our flights to Thailand was picking the right visa for our stay. This is definitely something I would recommend doing early on as Thailand is very strict with their visas so its important to think about how long you plan to stay in Phuket and what you’ll be doing whilst you’re out there.

Common Visa Options:

Tourist Visa – 60 days, extendable by 30 days
Multiple Entry Tourist Visa – valid for 6 months with exits
Education Visa – popular for language schools
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) – designed for digital nomads, freelancers and remote workers. This visa is valid for 5 years with visa runs required every 6 months.

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)

My boyfriend and I opted for the DTV visa which worked best for our situation as we were both going to be working whilst travelling. The DTV visa is one of the best options for those looking to move to Phuket while working remotely. It’s aimed at digital nomads, freelancers and people with overseas income, allowing longer stays without the constant need for visa runs.

The DTV requirements when we applied were:

Proof of remote work via an employers contract or freelance income (show your website or freelance platforms you earn an income from)
Proof of funds. We applied from the UK and were asked to show at least £11,000 in our bank accounts by sending screenshots of recent bank statements.
Passport and proof of address
The DTV visa fee also cost £300 to apply.

The DTV visa application process took 2-3 weeks and was a really simple and smooth experience! I would recommend leaving as much time as possible when applying for the DTV as when doing research online there were various timeframes from 2 weeks to over a month as the Thai embassy may come back to ask more questions.

3. Savings

Phuket can be affordable, but your costs depend heavily on lifestyle and location.

Estimated Monthly Costs:

Rent: £300–£1,000+ (depending on area, how many bedrooms and what style you’re going for)
Utilities: £40–£80
Food: £200–£500
Motorbike rental: £60–£120
Gym: £30–£70
SIM + Internet: £10–£25

Yes, Phuket is cheaper than the West but it isn’t cheap in comparison to other parts of Thailand. It’s a very popular tourist island so you will find it to be more expensive on average.

4. Finding Somewhere to Live in Phuket

Before moving to Phuket, you want to think about what area you would like to live in depending on your budget, what vibe you’re going for and what’s important to you.

The best areas I would recommend:

Rawai – laid-back, expat-friendly
Kata / Karon – beach lifestyle, popular with families
Bang Tao – luxury & long-term stays
Phuket Old Town – culture & cafés

Each area offers something completely different, so it really comes down to how you plan to live day-to-day. If you enjoy quiet mornings, local food, beautiful beaches and a slower pace, Rawai is a great option. If you want beautiful beaches with more structure and family-friendly amenities, Kata and Karon are ideal. Bang Tao is perfect if you’re looking for modern apartments, gated communities and a more “boujee” lifestyle (expect to pay more), while Old Town suits those who enjoy cafes, markets and walkable streets rather than beach life.

You can read my blog here on the best areas to stay in Phuket depending on your vibe.

Top tip: Book a short-term rental for 1–2 weeks on Agoda and view places in person. Photos and even videos online don’t always tell the full story.

When viewing apartments, there are a few things I highly recommend checking carefully:

Actual size of the apartment – some listings can be very misleading, especially with wide-angle photos
Location – is it walking distance to shops, cafes, gyms and places you’ll actually go day to day?
Lifestyle fit – think about whether you want to be near beaches, co-working spaces, yoga studios or nightlife
Mould or damp – this is very common in Phuket due to humidity, so check wardrobes, ceilings and bathrooms
Soundproofing – this is especially important if you work remotely or freelance, as some buildings can be very noisy

Also pay attention to things like natural light, balcony space and whether the building feels well maintained. These small details make a huge difference when you’re living somewhere long-term rather than just staying short-term.

I would recommend taking a bit of extra time to view apartments properly and ask plenty of questions as this will help avoid any disappointments further down the line!

5. Travel Insurance

Having good travel insurance in place before arriving in Phuket is really important if you’re looking to stay long-term. Medical costs can add up quickly, and having the right cover gives you peace of mind from the moment you land.

I personally recommend SafetyWing because they offer a month-to-month payment plan, rather than locking you into a full year-long contract. This makes it ideal if your plans are flexible or if you’re not 100% sure how long you’ll stay in Phuket. It’s quick and easy to sign up online, even if you’re already abroad, and it covers things like medical emergencies, hospital treatment and unexpected travel issues.

6. International Driving Permit (IDP)

If you plan on driving in Phuket, whether that’s renting a scooter or a car, you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your home country driving licence.

The IDP essentially translates your existing licence either and only covers the vehicle types you are already licensed to drive in your home country.

If you want to ride a motorbike or scooter in Thailand, you must already have the correct motorbike licence at home. In the UK, this means that you need to have a A1 licence which allows you to ride a bike up to 125cc. If your home licence doesn’t include motorbikes, the IDP will not cover you for one in Thailand.

During our time in Phuket, we were stopped at police checkpoints a few times, especially around popular areas like Patong and also when entering Rawai. We also saw many tourists being fined on the spot for either not having an International Driving Permit at all, having a IDP but without the correct motorbike stamp or not wearing a helmet.

Getting an IDP is so easy and inexpensive so it is definitely not worth the risk of coming to Phuket without one! In the UK you can get an IDP at participating PayPoint shops and this will only cost you £5.50 (remember to bring your license)

It takes minutes to apply and can save you money, stress and potential issues with insurance if you’re involved in an accident. If driving (especially a scooter) is part of your plan in Phuket, I would highly recommend sorting your IDP before you arrive. It’s one of those small admin tasks that makes a huge difference once you’re there.

Final Thoughts: Is Moving to Phuket Worth It?

Absolutely! Phuket offers an incredible quality of life, especially if you love warm weather, nature and balance. We had an incredible 6 months experience there and it is a place you will never forget about and want to go back to time and time again.

FAQs

Is Phuket expensive to live in?

Phuket is more expensive than other parts of Thailand, but still affordable compared to Europe or the UK. Phuket is as expensive as you make it! You can find cheap accommodation for £250-£350 a month, eat locally and live a simple life for under £1000 a month.

When is the best time to move to Phuket?

The quieter season from April to September is often the best time to move. Flights and accommodation are cheaper, and there are fewer tourists so you notice how quiet some areas are. High season (November–March) is more expensive but has better weather.