The Strafregisterbescheinigung, issued by the Bundesministerium für Justiz. Apply online at justiz.gv.at using ID Austria (or the older Handy-Signatur/Bürgerkarte, being phased out) — confirm the current accepted method first. Fee is approximately EUR 14–30. You can also apply in person at your local Bezirksgericht, or via the Austrian Embassy Bangkok if you're already in Thailand.

Not yet, and this is a common misunderstanding. Austria's membership since 1968 is genuinely true. But Thailand — the destination country — only acceded to the Convention on 30 June 2026 and it doesn't take effect until 28 February 2027. The missing piece is on Thailand's side. Until then, your apostilled Strafregisterbescheinigung also needs legalisation at the Royal Thai Embassy in Vienna.

It depends which of the three PVA routes applies to you. The 2026 maximum Alterspension is roughly EUR 4,459/month, well above the roughly EUR 1,700/month Non-OA threshold; the minimum guarantee (Ausgleichszulage) is roughly EUR 1,308/month, which may fall short depending on your other income. If your pension alone doesn't clear the threshold, the bank deposit route (800,000 THB, roughly EUR 20,900) is a straightforward alternative.

No — that's a common mix-up between two different LTR sub-categories. The 17% flat rate applies to LTR Highly-Skilled Professionals on Thai-sourced employment income. Wealthy Pensioners instead get a full exemption from Thai personal income tax on foreign-sourced income remitted to Thailand, under Royal Decree 743 — no cap on the amount remitted.

No — the DTV does require a 500,000 THB bank balance; it just doesn't require police clearance, which is easy to conflate. Every DTV applicant needs the bank balance regardless of income level.

Yes — Austrian nationals leaving permanently should abmelden (deregister) from the ZMR at their local Meldeamt. This affects ÖGK health coverage and Austrian tax residency. Consult a Steuerberater or Rechtsanwalt before deregistering, since the consequences are significant.

No — they're different systems despite the shared language. Germany's document is the Führungszeugnis, issued by the Bundesamt für Justiz in Bonn; Austria's is the Strafregisterbescheinigung, issued by the BMJ via justiz.gv.at. The fee, portal, and apostille authority all differ. Use Austria's own process, not a German friend's steps.

ÖGK coverage is tied to Austrian employment and residence, and isn't portable to Thailand for long-term residents. For the Non-OA, OIC-approved Thai health insurance is mandatory — 40,000 THB outpatient + 400,000 THB inpatient minimum, two separate figures, not a combined total.

Confirm the current status and coverage directly with a Steuerberater experienced in international tax before emigrating — don't assume standard treatment applies to PVA pension income, Pensionskasse payments, or investment income under Thailand's Por 161/2566 remittance rules.

EU Regulation 883/2004 coordinates pension entitlements across EU member states — PVA and the other country's pension authority calculate and pay your proportional share. This coordination happens regardless of where you retire, including Thailand.

Start with the free eligibility check above. Tell us your age, pension situation (Alterspension, Korridorpension, or savings), and how long you want to stay — we identify the right visa, guide you through the Strafregisterbescheinigung and current legalisation process, and give a fixed-price quote. No obligation.

Foreign nationals cannot directly own Thai land. Options: condominiums (49% foreign-ownership quota per building, FET Certificate required), leasehold land, or other legal structures — nominee arrangements are illegal. Use a certified Thai property lawyer.