A significant number of foreigners are considering relocating to Indonesia in 2024. This sunny country attracts with its warm climate, picturesque nature, and pleasant, relaxing atmosphere. The advantages of living in Bali and other regions include:
- A wide variety of exotic fruits at reasonable prices throughout the year;
- Stunning beaches to surf and other water sports;
- A wide range of natural parks and recreational areas;
- Friendly local people;
- A wide variety of housing options to suit all tastes and budgets.
It's important to consider pros and cons of living in Indonesia in 2024. As an example, the area has a somewhat chaotic traffic system, making it difficult for many foreigners to drive independently. Public transportation is poorly developed, walking is nearly impossible due to a lack of sidewalks, and taxi prices are intentionally inflated targeting tourists and expats.
One should also consider the peculiarities of the local climate. Initially, people from temperate climates may find it difficult to adjust to the intense sun, high temperatures and humidity. However, these drawbacks are not overly critical and won't be a significant obstacle if someone really wants to relocate.
So, are you in the early stages of planning a move? How to move to Indonesia permanently and where do you start? Here are 5 tips from people who have already moved to the archipelago and successfully adapted to the local mentality, culture, traditions, and climate.
Content:
- 1. Find out how much does it cost to move to Indonesia and assess your options
- 2. Take an introductory tour
- 3. Choose a suitable city or town
- 4. Prepare all necessary documents
- 5. Prepare for possible challenges in the first year
1. Find out how much does it cost to move to Indonesia and assess your options
The most important criterion in deciding how to move to Indonesia is the budget. It's better to find out in advance the cost of life in Indonesia, including housing, food, fuel, medical services, tourist trips and other expenses you are familiar with.
The cost of products in Indonesian stores is lower than in European or American supermarkets. Ready-made meals in small cafes are often cheaper than in restaurants in those countries. Expatriates note that Indonesian cuisine is healthy and tasty because it is rich in vegetables and fruits. Since the country has a warm climate throughout the year, the cost of basic clothing and footwear is minimal.
The main expense is housing. The cost of buying or renting property in Indonesia varies greatly by location. Residential properties in popular resort areas, including Bali, are more expensive. The most expensive types of property are individual elite oceanfront villas. More affordable options include small studios in apartment complexes or guesthouses.
If you consider purchasing houses or apartments in Indonesia, we recommend that you check our website catalog with current prices. We gather various offers from developers and real estate agencies, and the convenient search system allows you to select properties according to specified parameters.
In 2021, the Indonesian government approved new regulations granting foreigners more rights to property ownership. Today, citizens of other countries can buy apartments and villas in Indonesia for private ownership. The property must be located in a special economic zone and its cost must meet the government-approved threshold.
As far as official employment in the resort country, it is possible if you are a qualified professional invited to work in a company. However, this is not common in practice. Most expatriates in Bali and other regions are freelancers, employees of IT companies, or investors with a steady passive income.
Anna, freelance accountant:
I’ve lived in Bali since 2019. Before that, I had long dreamed of moving to a warm country. After I managed to transition from the office to freelancing, I started thinking about how hard it is to move to Indonesia. I wanted to enjoy warm weather, sunshine and the sea all year round. Upon arrival, I rented a small studio in the center of Ubud, but later, with the help of a local real estate agency, I found a compact villa in Canggu on the same amount of money.
As for living expenses, I spend no more than in my hometown. But here, surrounded by beautiful nature, I can practice yoga, relax on the beach, and travel to beautiful places. There is much less stress and more harmony in my life now. If you're planning to move to Bali, it's better to find remote work beforehand because it's hard to find well-paid jobs on the island. And official employment requires a permit.
2. Take an introductory tour
A short vacation visit to a warm country does not allow an objective assessment of all the advantages or disadvantages of a particular area. You may have a great time in popular tourist areas, but it may not be comfortable to be constantly near busy streets and nightclubs. If you decide to move to Indonesia permanently, make sure you choose a suitable location beforehand. It's advisable to live in different areas for a few months, evaluate their accessibility and infrastructure, and then choose a house or apartment for long-term rent or purchase.
Larry Johnson, IT company employee:
My wife, two kids, and I moved to Bali six months ago. Before that, we had travelled to several countries: Turkey, the UAE, Vietnam, and Thailand. But it was only in Bali that we felt a strong desire to live longer than a standard vacation, so I started thinking on how I can move to Indonesia. We spent the winter on the island, liked everything and decided to stay. The living conditions here are excellent. We rent a villa close to the sea. We found good restaurants serving tasty European dishes. Food in cafes is inexpensive, so we eat out a lot. There are also excellent developmental children centers nearby. We plan to stay on the island for at least another year and are considering buying our own property.
3. Choose a suitable city or town
Before moving, it is important to determine the best place to live in the area. The choice of town plays a key role. Some seek solitude and tranquility, while others prefer to live near a good surfing beach. Families with children pay attention to the presence of good international schools, kindergartens and development centers that offer education in foreign languages.
Victoria Lewis, Designer:
- How to live in Indonesia? As far as my experience goes, I have lived in Ubud for the past 4 years. I find this small resort town to be an endless source of creative inspiration. One can endlessly enjoy beautiful wood and stone carvings, exclusive ceramics and traditional masks made by local artisans. Ubud's nature is also inspiring: lush jungles with vines and diverse plants and birds, mountain rivers in green valleys, and famous rice fields. I love the local spa salons; they have different price categories, but the services are of high quality. You can also arrange an Ayurvedic program with diet and treatment or have a relaxing day with a full spa programme including meals and procedures. Aesthetic pleasure is also derived from Balinese dances and puppet shows.
4. Prepare all necessary documents
The most important thing you need to live legally in Indonesia is a visa. You can get a long-term visa or KITAS both after getting a tourist visa upon arrival and in your home country. To apply for the document, reasons are required, including:
- Employment
- Family reunification
- Business registration
- Education
- Participation in a program for wealthy retirees and investors
The minimum validity of the KITAS is 1 year and the maximum is 5 years. The visa must be renewed annually. After 2–5 years of living in the country with KITAS, certain categories of people can obtain KITAP or permanent residence permit. This document allows you to stay in the country indefinitely and to leave the country if necessary. After 5 years of living with KITAP, you can apply for Indonesian citizenship.
To apply for a visa, one of the requirements is to have a passport with a validity of at least 18 months at the time of application. Usually, a bank statement with a certain amount, medical insurance and other documents are required depending on the type of visa you are applying for.
Andrey Karpov, entrepreneur:
I started thinking on how to move to Indonesia from us and then went to Denpasar three years ago, opened my own business here and got a long-term work visa based on it. I applied through a local visa company. The staff helped me gather the necessary documents and processed the forms quickly. It turned out that apostille is not recognized in the country, so all documents had to be legalized at the embassy.
5. Prepare for possible challenges in the first year
Moving to a country with a completely different climate, culture, and religion is already a significant stress. In the first year of relocation, you will have to deal with issues related to documents, housing, work, choosing a school if you have children, etc. Most expatriates find the first period after moving to be the most challenging. You will have to make new acquaintances, learn the peculiarities of local government procedures, find suitable shops and cafes with familiar food, and choose the optimal real estate option.
While finding a place to live in may be relatively straightforward, there may be difficulties with health care. The cost of services in clinics and hospitals is quite high. A doctor's visit can cost up to $100, not to mention diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Due to this reason, it is essential for an expatriate to have health insurance. Some expatriates doubt the qualifications of doctors working in small provincial hospitals and prefer to seek medical care in clinics in larger cities. If you have health problems, it's better to find out in advance where you can find a good doctor.
Mikola Arestovich, Remote Digital Marketer:
I moved to Bali in 2020 and the first year on the island was a real challenge. Despite the beautiful climate and good living conditions, I was faced with a lack of the usual social interaction. Back home, I had many friends and acquaintances, and I often found myself thinking that I was tired of people. I longed for silence and peace. That’s partly why I decided to move to the island. Here the situation turned 180 degrees and I began to miss the usual company. The solution was found—it's a community on Telegram, where I can chat with compatriots, find a lot of useful information, and find company for joint visits to the gym, cafes, or surfing lessons.