Thailand’s immigration bureau chose 20 February 2026 to confirm it is drafting a decree that would roll back the current 60-day visa-exemption period to 30 days for more than 80 nationalities—including Spain—starting later this year. The news, broken by industry portal Travel & Tour World, follows months of pressure from the labour ministry to curb illegal remote work and unreported earnings among long-stay visitors. For Spanish holidaymakers and location-independent professionals the change is significant. Since 2024, many have planned winter “work-cations” around the two-month allowance; under the draft rule they would have to exit and re-enter, pay for a 30-day extension, or secure a Special Tourist Visa in advance. Spanish companies running regional hubs in Bangkok must now re-assess short-term assignment calendars and ensure staff on back-to-back meetings do not overstay.
Need help sorting out the new paperwork? VisaHQ’s Spain portal (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) can streamline Thai tourist, business and Special Tourist Visa applications, arrange courier pickups and provide live status alerts—taking the headache out of tight travel timelines for both independent nomads and corporate mobility teams.
![Thailand signals visa-free stay cut to 30 days—Spanish tourists on the list]()
Thai officials argue that shorter visa-free windows will deter individuals from accepting under-the-table hospitality jobs while still supporting the average 15- to 18-day leisure visit. The ministry is also weighing higher proof-of-funds thresholds and stricter accommodation reporting via the online TM30 system. A public hearing is scheduled for late March with implementation pencilled in for Q3 2026.
Action points for mobility teams:
• Audit current travel rosters to Thailand after 1 September 2026.
• Update arrival briefings—passports must now show THB 15,000 (≈€380) in cash or cards.
• Budget extra lead time (7–10 days) for embassy-issued tourist or business visas until the policy stabilises.
While Spain’s foreign ministry has yet to amend its travel advice, airlines have started inserting pop-up warnings in GDS systems—expect higher call-centre volumes from corporate travellers in the coming weeks.
Need help sorting out the new paperwork? VisaHQ’s Spain portal (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) can streamline Thai tourist, business and Special Tourist Visa applications, arrange courier pickups and provide live status alerts—taking the headache out of tight travel timelines for both independent nomads and corporate mobility teams.
Thai officials argue that shorter visa-free windows will deter individuals from accepting under-the-table hospitality jobs while still supporting the average 15- to 18-day leisure visit. The ministry is also weighing higher proof-of-funds thresholds and stricter accommodation reporting via the online TM30 system. A public hearing is scheduled for late March with implementation pencilled in for Q3 2026.
Action points for mobility teams:
• Audit current travel rosters to Thailand after 1 September 2026.
• Update arrival briefings—passports must now show THB 15,000 (≈€380) in cash or cards.
• Budget extra lead time (7–10 days) for embassy-issued tourist or business visas until the policy stabilises.
While Spain’s foreign ministry has yet to amend its travel advice, airlines have started inserting pop-up warnings in GDS systems—expect higher call-centre volumes from corporate travellers in the coming weeks.
