Living and Working in Bali as an Expat: A Comprehensive Guide
There’s a reason why Bali has become a hub for so many digital nomads - plainly, it’s a beautiful place to call home. With its unique culture, kind locals and incredible nature, the island has it all. However, there are always practical aspects to consider when moving abroad, such as whether you can get the right visa, a decent internet connection, good healthcare, send your kids to a nice school and if you’ll become part of the community.
In this guide, we are here to tell you that it’s all possible – and how.
Indonesia, especially Bali, has long been a popular spot for digital nomads. Now, remote workers are officially welcomed with the new Indonesia Digital Nomad Visa, called the Remote Worker Visa (E33G) Program, launched in April 2024.
Which Visa Do I Need to Work in Bali?
Remote Worker KITAS E33G
If you are wondering how you can stay long-term in Bali and work remotely, make sure you look into the Remote Worker KITAS. In order to qualify, you need to be employed by a company that is outside of Indonesia or have your own business that is registered abroad. Having one will allow you to stay in the country for 12 months, as long as you are able to prove that you earn at least $60,000 per year. For more information, check out our Remote Worker KITAS page.
Working KITAS E23
If you don’t have a remote job and want to work for an Indonesian company, you will instead need a Working KITAS. These are often harder to come by, as you need sponsorship from a local company and need to be an expert in your field. Working KITAS usually last from 6 months to 1 year, depending on the job role you have. If you would like more details, take a look at our Working KITAS page.
Investment KITAS E28A & PT PMA
An alternative option for staying long-term in Bali is setting up a company here, which is known as a PT PMA. Once you register a company in Indonesia, you will also need to process an Investment KITAS. It’s worth noting that you can't actually have a job role in your company, apart from being a director or a commissioner. You can find out more information on our Company Set Up and Investment KITAS pages.
Staying Connected
When you work online, you definitely need a strong and stable connection. Fortunately for you, that’s not a concern in the most populated areas of Bali.
In popular areas of Bali like Canggu, Ubud, Seminyak, Sanur and Kuta, you can get high-speed fiber-optic internet with speeds up to 100Mbps. If you don’t have a strong connection in the place you are renting, we recommend speaking with the landlord and paying extra for an internet upgrade.
If you have fallen in love with a more remote area of Bali, you will need to rely on Mobile Data as internet coverage in more rural parts of the island might not be particularly strong. Getting a SIM card from one of the bigger network providers such as Telkomsel would be a good bet, as they are likely to have better coverage than less popular providers.
Co-Working and Cafes:
If you don’t like sitting at home and working, there are numerous options for finding co-working spaces and meeting other like minded digital nomads.
Some popular options are:
Tribal Bali (Pererenan): Offers both accommodation, a co-working space and a pool.
Tropical Nomad (Canggu): A good place for creatives, artists and working professionals.
Hubud (Ubud): One of the oldest and most established co-working spaces in Bali.
Biliq (Seminyak and Kuta): A homely place where you can pay per minute, complete with a small dipping pool with an inbuilt laptop stand, for you to both cool off and work in at the same time.
If you prefer hitting a cafe to do some work, the options are endless. We recommend exploring your local area, checking for plug sockets and testing the Wifi with a quick WiFi test before you have a busy day full of meetings. It would be impossible to cover all the potential options, but some popular ones are:
- Fine by Satu Satu (Canggu)
- Amolas (Canggu)
- Bwork Cafe (Canggu)
- WYAH Art and Creative Space (Ubud)
Cafes offer an environment conducive to productivity, striking a comfortable balance between the rigidity of traditional offices and the distractions of working from home.
Cost of Living:
Bali can quickly become pricey if you want high-end luxury – but it is still comparatively cheaper than most Western countries and you will most likely get much better value for money with regards to entertainment and eating out. Your lifestyle choices will really determine how much you spend.
Housing: Rental prices have increased in recent years, but generally speaking, you can find something from $300/month and up. Usually, nomads stay in guest houses which range from $300-$500 USD (around 5-8,000,000 IDR). These kinds of guest houses sometimes come complete with a pool or common area, as well as cleaning included.
Alternatively, there are villa shares where you will have access to a much more private and perhaps more luxurious experience, especially once the price rises above $1000, or 15,000,000 IDR. If you’d like to rent your own villa, the price usually ranges between $1000 (15,000,000 IDR) to $6,500 (100,000,000 IDR) for more high-end luxury.
Food: You can eat in local warungs (small restaurants owned by Indonesian families) for $3-$5 per meal. Western restaurants will definitely cost more, but they are still very reasonably priced for the standard offered.
Getting Around: Renting a scooter is the best way to get around - expect to pay around $50-80 per month.
Healthcare:
An important thing you need to purchase when living abroad is health insurance. If you are employed in Indonesia, you will most likely be covered by your employer for a type of national insurance healthcare scheme known as BPJS. This means that you can get subsidized healthcare, but there are some limitations.
As such, many expats may also get a private insurance policy, which entitles you to better standards of care. A popular option is Allianz Healthcare, Safety Wing or AXA Mandiri - make sure you always read the full policy and the inclusions before choosing the right one for you.
Hospitals: Bali has several international-standard hospitals, particularly in the Denpasar and Badung areas. BIMC Hospital and Siloam Hospital are popular choices among expats.
Local Clinics: For minor issues, local clinics can provide adequate care at lower costs. A popular clinic is Balimed in Canggu.
Educational Options for Expat Families:
If you plan on moving with your children, there are some fantastic options around. Some of the international schools will follow British or American curriculums. Some of the most popular options are these:
Primary Schools:
Green School Bali (Ubud)
Bali Island School (formerly Bali International School, Denpasar)
Montessori School Bali (Canggu)
SLK Bali International School (Kerobokan)
Secondary Schools:
Canggu Community School (Canggu)
SLK Bali International School (Kerobokan)
Australian Independent School (Denpasar)
If you prefer to send your children to a local school, they will grow closer to the culture, which is a great upside. However, you should keep issues related to a language barrier and different educational practices in mind.
Culture and Community:
There are endless events and chances to build community in Bali. Try attending local meetups, events and workshops to connect with people in the local area. If you want to ask other expats about services or queries, posting on Canggu Community and Ubud Community Facebook pages may be useful. Another way to make some new friends and integrate with the local community is taking a Bahasa Indonesia course or lessons at language schools like Cinta Bahasa or SBI.
Bali is known for its rich cultural traditions and rituals, with numerous ceremonies taking place daily.
Potential Challenges:
Whilst Bali offers an incredible lifestyle, there are potential challenges and difficulties that come with moving here, such as adhering to visa regulations, facing the sometimes gruelling traffic, difficulties with landlords or repairs, and heat. Staying in Bali for a few months is definitely a good way to test the waters before taking the plunge.
We hope you have a smooth and easy transition to your new life in Bali. However, being prepared for some challenges along the way will help you keep a good mindset about living abroad if some things don’t go to plan. As we are sure you know, it’s all part of the journey and the beauty of trying new things.
Need Some Help?
If you need assistance with visa related services, setting up a business, tax obligations or getting a driving license, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are Bali Solve, Bali’s premier visa and business consulting agency, and with our team of experts we are well-equipped to solve the most complicated of tax, business or visa related issues. Simply drop us a message on Whatsapp or drop by our office in Pererenan to learn more.
Written by Team Bali Solve
