Polish investors conquer Phuket's real estate market: boom and opportunities!

Polish investors conquer Phuket's real estate market: boom and opportunities!

Phuket, Thailand's most famous holiday island, is currently enjoying a remarkable renaissance in the real estate market. Around 60% of current buyers come from Poland - a clear change compared to previous years, where investors from Western Europe and Russia dominated. This reports Polish Radio.

Tourism as the main driver

What makes Phuket so attractive for property buyers? The answer is obvious: tourism is thriving and attracting well-heeled buyers. In 2024, approximately 8.6 million tourists visited the island, with hotel occupancy averaging around 80%. Many rooms are fully booked, especially in the high season from November to March. “Phuket's status as a first-class resort market will be strengthened by continuous infrastructure investments,” explains an expert Charles Del.

The healthy demand for short-term rental properties shows that many owners are choosing to rent out their properties during the peak tourist season and use them themselves in the low season. Looking back over the past two decades, Phuket has seen a dramatic increase in visitor numbers thanks to its beautiful beaches and extensive tourism development, accelerated by rehabilitation following the 2004 tsunami.

New market for investors

The real estate sector is well positioned and sometimes experiences annual price increases. Compared to stagnant European markets, prices in Phuket appear extremely attractive. “Luxury apartments start at around PLN 450,000 (EUR 106,000), which equates to around PLN 14,000 (EUR 3,300) per square meter,” explains Martin Phillips of Phuket Plus, as reported on Polskie Radio. The demand for branded residential properties in Phuket continues unabated.

A trend is evident among buyers: around 60-70% of residential property purchases come from foreigners, often in cash payments. Foreigners cannot directly purchase land in Thailand, but there are various legal models for still obtaining ownership, including free trade apartments and long-term leases.

Growth far from the coast

But it's not just the coastal regions that are popular. Places like Sri Sunthorn and Phru Champa are becoming increasingly important, particularly due to rising land prices and building development. This is due in no small part to the continued growth of remote workers discovering Phuket as a new place to live.

The real estate market experienced a historic recovery in 2025, according to Thai Residential has been impressively documented with over 400 resort villas sold. Additionally, 2024 was the sector's strongest year in over a decade, with housing listings increasing by 148%.

Future outlook and challenges

Looking into the future, Phuket is striving to expand its economic position. The Thai government is planning reforms to allow foreigners to participate more in the real estate market. An approach based on sustainable tourism is pursued in order to ensure the balance between economic growth and environmental protection. But the signs are pointing to growth and property prices are expected to continue to rise due to limited land reserves and ongoing developments.

Phuket remains a hot spot not only for tourists, but also for investors who sense good business here. It remains to be seen how this dynamic market will develop, as interest and demand remain unbroken.