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. 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.
Source: Travel & Tour World
