I am planning to retire in Thailand.

Someone told me that if I buy an apartment the money spent will count towards the money needed for the visa.

Is this true?

No

Confirmed. No.

There is a country, however, that provides residency (no age requirement) even leading to citizenship (if you want) based on a mere 25K USD real estate investment -- Ecuador. Their currency is the U.S. dollar.

Edited December 4, 201015 yr by Jingthing

No. Getting a retirement visa (or extension of stay based on retirement) is based on meeting the minimum income requirement; not how much spent on buying a residence. Heck, a person could have spent every penny they had on buying the residence and not have a penny left to live on....which would result in a beggar with a paid for residence.

There is an investment option to obtain one year extensions of stay that does involve ownership of real estate as listed below - but has nothing to do with retirement. For new applications only this provision applies:

B. In case of an investment of not less than 10 million baht.

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM)

(2) Proof of money transfer to Thailand of not less than 10 millio

baht.

(3) Proof of investment to purchase or rent for a period not less

than 3 years of unit in a condominium from an agency or

government agency concerned at a price of not less than 10

million baht.

(4) Proof of investment in the form of a fixed deposit of not less

than 10 million baht with a bank registered in Thailand with Tha

shareholders comprising more than 50% of its shareholders.

(5) Proof of investment to purchase government or state enterpris

bonds with a value of not less than 10 million baht or

(6) Proof of combined investments as set out in clauses (3),(4)

Or (5) having a total value of not less than 10 million baht.