Guide to social security system in Thailand for foreigners (2026)

If you’re moving to Thailand to work you’ll need to register for social security through your employer. This is a mandatory step, but it also can mean you have direct access to a range of benefits including health care and payments if you’re unable to work for different reasons. Social security in Thailand may not work in quite the same way as it does in your home country, so it’s important to get to grips with the processes used by the social security fund in Thailand, to make sure you fulfill your duties.

This guide covers the basics of social security in Thailand for foreigners, including how to sign up and what benefits you may unlock. We'll also introduce Wise, a handy companion to make your money go further with low, transparent fees.

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What is social security in Thailand?

Social security in Thailand is managed by the Social Security Office (SSO)¹. The SSO oversees registration for social security, the issuance of a social security number in Thailand for foreign residents, and then the management and distributions of any benefits an insured person may be eligible for.

Social security in Thailand is key to getting access to public health care and a very broad range of government benefits. As an employee you and your employer both pay into the SSO fund, but you may find you’re entitled to support if you run into financial or medical difficulties as a result of signing up.

Join us as we look at social security in Thailand: benefits for foreigners, eligibility, and how to sign up.

Is social security in Thailand applicable to foreigners?

It’s mandatory to sign up for social security through the SSO in Thailand for most foreigners who are working in the country. Your employer can help you manage your application, which does require both you and your employer to submit details to the SSO for assessment and to get signed up.

SSO contributions and requirements for foreigners

Both the employer and employee contribute to the SSO for social security. Usually the payment is 5% from each party, although there are some caps on the amount you’ll pay on a monthly basis. Your employer will complete an initial registration process with the SSO which will then generate a payment schedule that you can review. You’ll then need to make your own personal contributions monthly, usually through your bank.

Do foreigners need to apply for Thailand social security?

Generally you will need to apply for social security if you work in Thailand. This applies to private sector employees with work permits - although some government employees and people working under different coverage arrangements may be exempt from needing to sign up or contribute to the SSO.

Requirements and restrictions

It’s important to note that there are some requirements to be able to benefit from SSO payments or support. You’ll need to register and pay your own contributions - we’ll look at how that works in a moment. Plus to access different benefit types you must contribute for a certain number of months to become eligible.

For example if you have injury or illness not resulting from work you must have paid contributions for at least 3 months in the prior 15 months to be able to get free public healthcare. Some treatment is limited under this cover, but where conditions are supported you will be able to receive care at an assigned facility, and may also qualify for some salary compensation if you can not work due to your condition.

There are also some specific exclusions or time limits on government support. Unemployment benefits for example are usually only paid out for up to 180 days, even once you have met the eligibility requirements to receive the benefits in the first place.

How to register for social security in Thailand

To register for social security in Thailand² the employer must first register with the SSO, to receive details of the contribution levels required and also the registration numbers needed to formally join the social security system. This process shouldn’t take long, but does require the employer to present some supporting documents to confirm eligibility for social security.

After this, the insured person must submit their own application which is then approved by the SSO officers. Once you're registered for social security, the employer must submit details to the SSO confirming payments of contributions. The insured person is also required to make their own contributions which can be done in person or electrically through many Thai banks³.

If you’re unsure how to register or pay your SSO contributions it’s a good idea to ask your employer for help. There’s lots of information on the SSO website, but as it is all in Thai you might need to get a friend to translate, or have someone accompany you when you register to navigate the process if your Thai language isn’t up to scratch.

What are the social security benefits for foreigners in Thailand

As we've seen, the social security benefits for foreigners in Thailand depend on several factors including the length of time you’ve worked and made contributions. We’ve outlined the key benefits here - but there are some other benefits available in specific circumstances, such as voluntarily insured persons.

Illness or injury not resulting from work

Cover may be available for insured persons who fall ill or have an accident outside of the workplace⁴, including those who are not able to return to work as a result of the condition.

Eligibility: You must have paid contributions for 3 months in the past 15 months
Benefits: Free medical care (some limits apply), compensation of 50% of wages, for up to 90 days per incident and a maximum of 180 days per year (365 days for chronic conditions)

Childbirth

If you’re signed up to Thai social security benefits and start a family you may be able to access additional support for costs incurred as a part of the pregnancy, as well as financial help while you’re taking time off work after the birth⁵.

Eligibility: You must have paid contributions for 5 months in the past 15 months
Benefits: 15,000 THB payment for medical care related to childbirth plus lump sum maternity payment calculated based on income

Disability

If you are disabled in such a way that you can not work, as assessed by a medical committee, you may be able to apply for various disability benefits from the SSO, as well as for help with medical care when you need it⁶.

Eligibility: You must have paid contributions for 3 months in the past 15 months
Benefits: Free medical care (some limits apply), compensation of up to 50% of salary for life for severe disability, funeral expenses if the individual dies

Death

In the event that an insured person dies (not as a result of a work injury or illness), the SSO can offer compensation to cover some costs of the funeral. In some cases there are also death benefits in the form of a lump sum paid out to your loved ones, which depends on the amount of months that you’ve contributed to the SSO during your working lifetime⁷.

Eligibility: You must have paid contributions for 1 month in the past 6 months to qualify for funeral payments. For death benefits you must have contributed for 36 months or more.
Benefits: Funeral benefits are paid directly to a funeral director, to a value of 50,000 THB. If you have contributed 36 months - 119 months to SSO, your beneficiaries will receive a payment of 2 months wages, while those who have contributed for longer may receive 6 months average wages.

Old age

Some social security members can claim an old age pension depending on the amount of time they wired and contributed to the SSO. If you receive a pension and die shortly after becoming eligible for this payment, a lump sum amount may be made available to your next of kin instead⁸.

Eligibility: You must have paid contributions for at least 180 months, which do not have to be consecutive to qualify
Benefits: If you have contributed for 180 months you can get a pension of 20% of the average wage of the last 60 months, with increasing payments if you contribute for more than 180 months.
Social Security Office (SSO)

Unemployment

Unemployment⁹ benefits may be available to individuals who lose their job for various reasons. Bear in mind that you may need to take steps to check if your visa remains valid if you have a work visa which is conditional on being in employment, and therefore foreigners may not be able to get this benefit in some cases.

Eligibility: You must have paid contributions for 6 months in the past 15 months, the period of unemployment must be 8 days or more and you must register for the benefit with the government
Benefits: Salary compensation of wages, for up to 180 days per year - some limits apply depending on the amount you have contributed to the social security fund prior to unemployment

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1. SSO explainer (in Thai)
2. SSO - payment methods (in Thai)
3. SSO - illness or injury not resulting from work
4. SSO - Childbirth
5. SSO - Disability
6. SSO - Death
7. SSO - Old age
8. SSO - Unemployment