- Second Home Visa (2022) allows 5–10 year stays for anyone who can demonstrate sufficient financial means — $130,000 deposited in an Indonesian bank account or equivalent investment
- Bali is among the world's most affordable digital nomad destinations — comfortable lifestyle for $1,200–2,000/month
- Private healthcare in major cities and tourist areas is accessible; Jakarta and Bali have international hospitals
- KITAS (Temporary Stay Permit) is the official residence card — required for employment, property rental, and extended stays
Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous country and Southeast Asia's largest economy — a vast archipelago of 17,000 islands that offers radically different relocation experiences depending on where you land. Bali is the world capital of digital nomad and lifestyle expat living: yoga studios, rice paddies, surf beaches, and co-working spaces coexist in a landscape of extraordinary natural beauty. Jakarta is a megacity business hub — chaotic, dense, but with a rapidly developing modern infrastructure and a serious GDP. Beyond these two: Lombok's quieter Bali-adjacent lifestyle, Yogyakarta's cultural richness, and Sumatra's frontier energy. Indonesia's 2022 Second Home Visa dramatically simplified long-term stays.
Cost of Living
Indonesia — particularly Bali — is very affordable. Bali (Canggu, Seminyak, Ubud): a 1BR villa or apartment costs $500–$1,200/month; monthly living costs for a single person $1,200–$2,000 for a comfortable lifestyle. Jakarta: 1BR in expat areas (Kemang, Menteng, SCBD) $600–$1,400/month; total monthly costs $1,500–$2,500. Lombok is 20–30% cheaper than Bali. Street food (warung): $1–3 per meal; restaurant meals $5–20. Indonesian coffee culture is extraordinary — kopi tubruk and V60 specialty coffee from $0.50–$3.
Housing
Bali's long-term rental market is active and expat-friendly. Key platforms: Flokq, Bali Property Group, and Facebook groups ('Bali Long-Term Rentals', 'Canggu Housing'). Villas with private pool in Canggu: $800–$2,000/month. Apartments in Seminyak or Kuta: $400–$800/month. Annual contracts (paid in advance — common in Bali) offer the best rates. Jakarta: Kemang (expat area, family-friendly), Menteng (central, prestigious), SCBD (financial district). Furnished apartments with A/C are standard.
Visa & Entry
Indonesia's Second Home Visa (Visa Rumah Kedua), launched 2022, is a 5–10 year stay permit for those who deposit at least IDR 2 billion (~$130,000) in an Indonesian bank or demonstrate equivalent investment. It does not include work authorisation for Indonesian companies but permits remote work for foreign employers. The standard KITAS (Kartu Izin Tinggal Sementara — Temporary Stay Permit) is sponsored by an employer or spouse — most employment expats use this route. The Social/Cultural Visa and Business Visa allow 60-day stays extendable to 180 days. The B211A Investor Visa is for those investing in Indonesian businesses.
Expat Life
Bali has one of the world's most vibrant and international digital nomad communities — Canggu is the epicentre, with dozens of co-working spaces (Dojo, Outpost, Tribal Hub), surfing, yoga, and a highly social expat culture. Jakarta's expat scene is more corporate, concentrated in Kemang and Menteng, with strong expatriate business networks. The Indonesian people are warm, hospitable, and proud of their culture — genuine engagement with local customs, Bahasa Indonesia, and traditions is deeply rewarding.
Indonesia — particularly Bali — suits digital nomads and remote workers who want maximum lifestyle quality at minimum cost, yoga and wellness expats drawn to Bali's spiritual ecosystem, surfers and outdoor enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs entering Southeast Asia's largest consumer market.
Indonesia's bureaucracy can be slow and inconsistent — KITAS processing can take weeks. Working without proper authorisation carries real legal risk. Bali's water quality is unreliable — drink bottled or filtered water only. Volcanic and seismic activity is real (Mount Agung and Mount Merapi are active). Dengue fever is present year-round — use mosquito repellent. Bali has become more expensive since COVID as demand from expats has pushed prices up.
Practical Tips
- Apply for the Second Home Visa if you can meet the financial requirements — it's the cleanest long-term solution for remote workers and lifestyle expats without Indonesian employment. You must open an account at a designated Indonesian state bank (BNI, BRI, Mandiri, BCA) and deposit the required funds before the visa is issued.
- KITAS registration: once you have your KITAS, register with the local immigration office (Kantor Imigrasi) and the local civil registry (Dinas Kependudukan) — this gives you ITAS (Izin Tinggal Sementara) status and enables banking, healthcare registration, and SIM card acquisition.
- Open an Indonesian bank account with BCA or BNI — the most expat-friendly banks. BCA is widely considered the best: good English-language service, reliable ATMs, and BCA mobile banking is excellent. Bring your passport, KITAS, and proof of address.
- Healthcare: Siloam Hospitals, RS Pondok Indah (Jakarta), and BIMC (Bali International Medical Centre) serve expats well. Costs: GP visit $30–60, specialist $50–100. International health insurance (Pacific Cross, Cigna, Allianz) is strongly recommended — public healthcare (BPJS) is not accessible to most visa types.
- Bahasa Indonesia is one of the world's most accessible languages for English speakers — consistent Latin script, no tones, relatively simple grammar. Basic Indonesian (50–100 words) transforms your Bali or Jakarta experience and is greatly appreciated. Most food, transport, and market interactions benefit enormously from basic Indonesian.
- Bali's traffic has become significantly congested — particularly in Canggu and Seminyak. Motorbike rental ($60–$100/month) is standard but requires an international driving permit and Bali driving licence equivalent. Gojek and Grab are the safest options for newcomers. Avoid driving at night in unfamiliar areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Second Home Visa and how do I apply?
Indonesia's Second Home Visa (Visa Rumah Kedua) grants a 5-year or 10-year stay permit to foreign nationals who deposit IDR 2 billion (approximately $130,000) in a designated Indonesian state bank (BNI, BRI, Mandiri, or BCA). You cannot work for Indonesian companies on this visa but can work remotely for foreign employers. Apply via the e-visa Indonesia portal (evisa.imigrasi.go.id) or through an immigration agent in Indonesia.
Is Bali or Jakarta better for expats?
Bali for lifestyle — natural beauty, yoga and wellness culture, surf, lower cost, strong digital nomad community, outdoor living. Jakarta for business — Indonesia's economic and commercial capital, multinational headquarters, higher salaries, urban density. Many expats in Indonesia use both: Bali as a base for lifestyle and Jakarta or Singapore for business trips.
How much money do I need to live comfortably in Bali?
A comfortable single-person lifestyle in Canggu or Seminyak (private 1BR villa, pool access, regular dining out, activities): $1,500–$2,500/month. Budget living (room in a shared villa, local warungs): $700–$1,200/month. The range is very wide depending on accommodation — a private villa with pool can be found for $500–$800/month if you're willing to search and commit to annual rental.
Can foreigners own property in Indonesia?
Foreigners cannot own freehold (Hak Milik) land in Indonesia directly. Available options: long-term leasehold (Hak Sewa — 25–30 years, renewable), the Right to Use (Hak Pakai) title (available to certain visa holders including KITAS), or purchasing through an Indonesian PT PMA (foreign-owned company). Always use a qualified Indonesian notary and lawyer — the legal framework is complex and title fraud exists.
Official Resources
Updated 2026-04-12