Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Thailand Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Koh Samui's property market is included in our pack
Koh Samui attracts thousands of foreign investors each year looking to tap into its thriving rental market, but navigating Thai property laws and local regulations can feel overwhelming.
This guide breaks down exactly what you need to know about renting out property in Koh Samui as a foreigner, from legal ownership structures to realistic yield expectations.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest market data and regulatory changes.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Koh Samui.
Insights
- Koh Samui short-term rental supply grew by 34% year-on-year as of January 2025, creating significant pricing pressure even as occupancy rates improved slightly.
- The 49% foreign ownership quota per condominium building in Koh Samui fills up quickly in popular developments near Chaweng and Bophut, so you need to verify availability before committing.
- Koh Samui landlords classified as "business operators" under 2025 Thai rules cannot collect more than three months' rent in combined deposits and advance payments.
- Short-term rentals under 30 days in Koh Samui fall under Thailand's Hotel Act, meaning you likely need a license unless you qualify for a specific exemption.
- Gross rental yields in Koh Samui range from 5% to 8% for long-term rentals but can reach 7% to 12% for well-managed short-term villas in prime locations.
- Mae Nam offers some of the best rental yields in Koh Samui because entry prices are lower than beachfront areas while tenant demand remains strong.
- Furnished rentals in Koh Samui typically rent 30% to 50% faster than unfurnished ones due to the high proportion of expats and seasonal residents who avoid buying furniture.
- Koh Samui's salt air and humidity mean you should budget 0.5% to 1% of your property value annually for repairs and maintenance.
Fact-checked and reviewed by our local expert
Daniel Rouquette 🇫🇷
CEO & Co-Founder at Villa Finder
Can I legally rent out a property in Koh Samui as a foreigner right now?
Can a foreigner own-and-rent a residential property in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners can legally own and rent out residential property in Koh Samui, but the ownership structure you choose significantly affects your rights and protections.
The most straightforward path for foreigners is buying a condo unit under the foreign quota (capped at 49% of total units per building), while villas typically require leasehold arrangements or other legal structures since direct land ownership is restricted.
The single biggest limitation foreigners face in Koh Samui is the inability to own land freehold, which means villa investors must carefully structure their holdings through long-term leases or Thai company arrangements that come with their own risks.
If you're not a local, you might want to read our guide to foreign property ownership in Koh Samui.
Do I need residency to rent out in Koh Samui right now?
You do not need Thai residency to rent out a property in Koh Samui, and many foreign owners successfully manage their rentals while living abroad.
However, you should expect to need a Thai tax identification setup if you want to operate cleanly, especially when working with property managers, platforms, or issuing receipts for withholding documentation.
While not legally mandatory in all cases, having a Thai bank account makes collecting deposits, paying contractors, and documenting income much smoother for Koh Samui landlords.
Managing a Koh Samui rental remotely is entirely feasible when you have a reliable property manager, a local letting agent, and a maintenance network in place.
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What rental strategy makes the most money in Koh Samui in 2026?
Is long-term renting more profitable than short-term in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, short-term rentals in Koh Samui typically generate higher gross revenue than long-term rentals, but the gap narrows significantly when you factor in management costs, seasonality, and legal compliance risks.
A well-managed short-term villa in Koh Samui might earn THB 600,000 to 1,200,000 per year (roughly $17,000 to $34,000 USD or €16,000 to €32,000 EUR), while a comparable long-term rental typically brings in THB 360,000 to 600,000 per year ($10,000 to $17,000 USD or €9,500 to €16,000 EUR).
Properties near Chaweng beach, Fisherman's Village, or with private pools and sea views tend to favor short-term renting because they can command premium nightly rates during peak tourist season.
What's the average gross rental yield in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average gross rental yield for residential properties in Koh Samui ranges from about 5% to 10%, depending heavily on whether you pursue long-term or short-term rentals.
Long-term rentals in Koh Samui typically achieve gross yields between 5% and 8%, while well-positioned short-term rentals can reach 7% to 12% in prime locations with strong reviews and operations.
Smaller units like studios and one-bedroom condos in Koh Samui often achieve the highest gross yields because their lower purchase prices relative to rent create favorable ratios, especially in high-demand areas like Bophut.
By the way, we have much more granular data about rental yields in our property pack about Koh Samui.
What's the realistic net rental yield after costs in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average net rental yield in Koh Samui after all costs falls between 3% and 9%, with long-term rentals typically netting 3% to 6% and short-term rentals netting 4% to 9%.
Most Koh Samui landlords realistically experience net yields in the 4% to 7% range once they account for management, maintenance, vacancy, and administrative costs.
The three biggest cost drains specific to Koh Samui are property management fees (15% to 30% for short-term), accelerated repairs from salt air and humidity damage, and high utility costs that owners typically cover in short-term rentals.
You might want to check our latest analysis about gross and net rental yields in Koh Samui.
What monthly rent can I get in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, typical monthly rents in Koh Samui are THB 12,000 to 25,000 ($340 to $710 USD or €320 to €670 EUR) for studios, THB 18,000 to 45,000 ($510 to $1,280 USD or €480 to €1,200 EUR) for one-bedrooms, and THB 30,000 to 80,000 ($850 to $2,275 USD or €800 to €2,130 EUR) for two-bedrooms.
A decent entry-level studio in Koh Samui rents for around THB 12,000 to 18,000 per month ($340 to $510 USD or €320 to €480 EUR), typically located slightly outside the prime beach zones.
A mid-range one-bedroom apartment in areas like Bophut or Lamai commands THB 25,000 to 35,000 per month ($710 to $995 USD or €670 to €935 EUR) with good amenities.
A typical two-bedroom apartment in desirable Koh Samui locations fetches THB 45,000 to 65,000 per month ($1,280 to $1,850 USD or €1,200 to €1,730 EUR), with premium sea-view units pushing higher.
If you want to know more about this topic, you can read our guide about rents and rental incomes in Koh Samui.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Thailand versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What are the real numbers I should budget for renting out in Koh Samui in 2026?
What's the total "all-in" monthly cost to hold a rental in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, the total monthly holding cost for a typical Koh Samui rental property runs between THB 5,000 and 25,000 ($140 to $710 USD or €135 to €670 EUR) excluding any mortgage payments.
Most Koh Samui landlords should budget between THB 8,000 and 15,000 per month ($225 to $425 USD or €215 to €400 EUR) for a standard condo, with villas in managed estates running higher due to estate fees.
Property management is typically the largest single cost for Koh Samui landlords, consuming 8% to 12% of rent for long-term rentals and 15% to 30% for fully-managed short-term operations.
You want to go into more details? Check our list of property taxes and fees you have to pay when buying a property in Koh Samui.
What's the typical vacancy rate in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, the typical vacancy rate for long-term rentals in Koh Samui runs between 8% and 15%, while short-term rentals experience 30% to 45% of nights vacant (the inverse of their 55% to 70% occupancy).
Koh Samui landlords should budget for one to two months of vacancy per year for long-term rentals because the island's transient tenant base means more frequent turnover than mainland cities.
Vacancy rates vary significantly across Koh Samui neighborhoods, with central areas like Bophut and Chaweng filling faster than remote hillside locations due to walkability and amenity access.
The lowest occupancy months in Koh Samui typically fall during the monsoon season from October to December, when tourism drops and short-term rental demand weakens considerably.
We have a whole part covering the best rental strategies in our pack about buying a property in Koh Samui.
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Where do rentals perform best in Koh Samui in 2026?
Which neighborhoods have the highest long-term demand in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, the three neighborhoods with the highest overall long-term rental demand in Koh Samui are Bophut (including Fisherman's Village), Chaweng, and Bang Rak.
Families looking for long-term rentals in Koh Samui tend to concentrate in Chaweng Noi, Bophut hillsides, and Mae Nam because these areas offer more space, quieter environments, and proximity to international schools.
Student rental demand in Koh Samui is limited compared to mainland Thai cities, but budget-friendly pockets exist in Nathon and parts of Lamai where rents are more affordable.
Expats and remote workers in Koh Samui strongly favor Bophut and Fisherman's Village for walkability, Plai Laem and Choeng Mon for upscale quiet living, and Mae Nam for a relaxed villa lifestyle with reliable internet.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Koh Samui.
Which neighborhoods have the best yield in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, the three neighborhoods offering the best rental yields in Koh Samui are Mae Nam, Maret (Lamai area), and non-beachfront pockets of Bophut.
These top-yielding Koh Samui neighborhoods typically achieve gross rental yields of 6% to 10%, outperforming the island average because purchase prices remain more accessible while rental demand stays solid.
The key characteristic enabling higher yields in these areas is that they attract strong tenant demand without the premium land prices found in iconic beachfront strips like Chaweng or Choeng Mon.
We cover a lot of neighborhoods and provide a lot of updated data in our pack about real estate in Koh Samui.
Where do tenants pay the highest rents in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, the three neighborhoods where tenants pay the highest rents in Koh Samui are Fisherman's Village in Bophut, Chaweng beachfront and Chaweng Noi sea-view areas, and Choeng Mon.
A standard apartment in these premium Koh Samui neighborhoods typically rents for THB 50,000 to 120,000 per month ($1,420 to $3,400 USD or €1,335 to €3,200 EUR), with luxury villas commanding significantly more.
These neighborhoods command the highest rents because they combine direct beach access or panoramic sea views with walkable dining and lifestyle amenities that affluent tenants prioritize.
The typical tenant profile in these high-rent Koh Samui areas includes senior executives on corporate packages, successful entrepreneurs, and long-stay tourists seeking premium accommodations for extended visits.
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Thailand. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
What do tenants actually want in Koh Samui in 2026?
What features increase rent the most in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, the three property features that increase monthly rent the most in Koh Samui are reliable high-speed internet (critical for remote workers), sea views, and private pool access for villas.
Sea views in Koh Samui can add a rent premium of 20% to 40% compared to similar properties without views, making it the single most valuable feature on the island.
One commonly overrated feature that Koh Samui landlords invest in but tenants rarely pay extra for is elaborate landscaping, which adds maintenance burden without significantly boosting rent.
Installing fiber internet or a reliable backup solution is an affordable upgrade that delivers strong returns in Koh Samui because remote workers and digital nomads will pay more and stay longer for dependable connectivity.
Do furnished rentals rent faster in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, furnished apartments in Koh Samui typically rent 30% to 50% faster than unfurnished ones because most tenants are expats, seasonal residents, or relocating professionals who want move-in-ready homes.
Furnished rentals in Koh Samui command a rent premium of about 15% to 25% over unfurnished equivalents, though landlords should invest in durable furniture that can withstand the island's humidity.
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How regulated is long-term renting in Koh Samui right now?
Can I freely set rent prices in Koh Samui right now?
Landlords in Koh Samui have broad freedom to set initial rent prices as there is no rent cap system like those found in some European cities.
However, Thailand's 2025 consumer protection rules for landlords classified as "business operators" restrict certain contract terms and fee structures, though they do not cap rent increases during tenancies for most private landlords.
What's the standard lease length in Koh Samui right now?
The standard lease length for residential rentals in Koh Samui is 12 months, though six-month leases are common for tenants seeking mid-term flexibility.
Under Thailand's 2025 consumer protection rules, landlords classified as business operators cannot collect combined advance rent and security deposits exceeding three months' rent for standard monthly-payment leases, which typically works out to two months deposit plus one month advance.
Security deposits in Koh Samui must be returned after the tenancy ends, with landlords permitted to deduct documented damages beyond normal wear and tear, though specific return timelines depend on what the lease contract stipulates.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Thailand compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
How does short-term renting really work in Koh Samui in 2026?
Is Airbnb legal in Koh Samui right now?
Airbnb-style short-term rentals in Koh Samui operate in a legally complex space because rentals under 30 days are generally treated as "hotel-like" activity under Thailand's Hotel Act, which requires licensing.
If you want to operate a short-term rental in Koh Samui legally, you likely need a hotel license unless you qualify for a specific exemption category, and the safest approach is to assume "license required unless proven otherwise."
Thailand does not have a simple nationwide annual night limit like some cities, but individual condo buildings often have bylaws prohibiting short-term rentals regardless of national law.
Operating an unlicensed short-term rental in Koh Samui can result in fines, forced closure orders, and potential complications with insurance claims or legal disputes involving guests.
By the way, we also have a blog article detailing whether owning an Airbnb rental is profitable in Koh Samui.
What's the average short-term occupancy in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average annual occupancy rate for short-term rentals in Koh Samui falls between 55% and 70%, with well-managed properties in prime locations achieving the higher end.
Most short-term rentals in Koh Samui experience occupancy rates ranging from 45% for poorly positioned units to 75% or higher for top-reviewed properties with excellent locations.
The highest occupancy months in Koh Samui are December through February and July through August, when European and Asian tourists flock to the island during their holiday seasons.
The lowest occupancy months in Koh Samui are typically October through November during the monsoon season, when heavy rainfall discourages tourists and many properties sit empty for weeks.
Finally, please note that you can find much more granular data about this topic in our property pack about Koh Samui.
What's the average nightly rate in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average nightly rate for short-term rentals in Koh Samui ranges from THB 4,500 to 9,500 ($130 to $270 USD or €120 to €255 EUR) for typical units, with villas averaging around THB 13,000 ($370 USD or €350 EUR).
Nightly rates in Koh Samui span from about THB 2,000 ($57 USD or €53 EUR) for basic studios to THB 25,000 or more ($710 USD or €670 EUR) for luxury pool villas with sea views.
During peak season (December to February), Koh Samui short-term rental rates typically run 40% to 70% higher than off-season rates, representing a difference of THB 2,000 to 5,000 ($57 to $140 USD or €53 to €135 EUR) per night.
Is short-term rental supply saturated in Koh Samui in 2026?
As of early 2026, the short-term rental market in Koh Samui is competitive and approaching saturation in popular segments, particularly for generic units without distinctive features or locations.
Short-term rental supply in Koh Samui grew by approximately 34% year-on-year as of January 2025, creating significant pricing pressure and making differentiation increasingly important for new entrants.
The most oversaturated neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Koh Samui are central Chaweng and heavily developed parts of Lamai, where competition for bookings is fierce and rate pressure is strongest.
Neighborhoods that still have room for quality short-term rental supply include Mae Nam's northern stretches, quieter parts of Taling Ngam, and well-positioned hillside properties with genuine sea views that stand out from the crowd.
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What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Koh Samui, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can ... and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) | Official Thai government portal hosting the Hotel Act statutory text. | We used it to explain why sub-30-day rentals require licensing in Thailand. We anchored our short-term rental compliance guidance on this primary legal source. |
| Tilleke & Gibbins | Top-tier regional law firm summarizing Gazette-backed rules clearly. | We used it to explain deposit and advance payment limits under 2025 consumer protection rules. We relied on their plain-language summary of what landlords cannot do. |
| Thai Revenue Department | Thailand's official tax authority publishing the Revenue Code. | We used it to ground references to rental income taxation and withholding requirements. We avoided relying on blogs for core tax structure information. |
| AirDNA | Widely used short-term rental analytics provider with transparent metrics. | We used it for occupancy rates and market-wide performance benchmarks. We triangulated their data with local research to validate Koh Samui-specific numbers. |
| C9 Hotelworks | Specialist hospitality research firm frequently cited in Thailand market commentary. | We used it for Koh Samui-specific pricing, villa occupancy, and supply growth data. We treated it as our primary local market anchor rather than using Bangkok averages. |
| Colliers Thailand | Global brokerage with formal market reports on Thai property. | We used it to identify prime neighborhoods and validate foreign demand drivers. We cross-checked their submarket analysis against listing data. |
| DDproperty | Major Thai property portal with extensive Koh Samui inventory. | We used it to establish realistic asking rent ranges by unit type. We combined it with other portals to reduce single-source bias. |
| Bank of Thailand | Thailand's central bank publishing official tourism indicators. | We used it to explain why Koh Samui rental demand is tied to tourism flows. We referenced their data to justify seasonality and vacancy assumptions. |
| Global Property Guide | International housing market publisher with disclosed yield methodology. | We used it as a Thailand-wide benchmark for gross yields. We applied it only as a reasonableness check since Samui differs from big cities. |
| PwC Thailand | Major audit firm publishing structured tax summaries for businesses. | We used it to verify tax mechanics and terminology. We treated it as a second opinion alongside government sources. |
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Thailand. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.