Living in Indonesia

Visa programs, tax residency rules, healthcare, safety, and city-level cost data for Indonesia. Comfortable budget for one adult: $2,200/mo. Updated 2026-05-25.

Budget bands

Tight (1 adult)$1,200/mo
Comfortable$2,200/mo
Rich-feeling$4,500/mo
Cost bandcheap
CurrencyIDR
Language (English-spoken)Indonesian (30%)

Visa programs

  • Visa on Arrival — Tourist, 1 months, no specific income floor. 30 days, extendable +30 once.
  • E33G Remote Worker Visa — Digital Nomad, 12 months, income req ~$5,000/mo. $60k/yr income. 1 yr renewable. Foreign-source income explicitly TAX-EXEMPT under this visa.
  • Second Home Visa (B11A) — Residency, 60 months, no specific income floor. Rp 2bn (~$130k) deposit. 5–10 yrs.

Tax for foreign earners

Standard rule: 183+ days = tax resident, owes worldwide income at progressive rates (5%–35%). BUT the E33G remote-worker visa explicitly exempts foreign-source income from Indonesian tax — the cleanest carve-out in Asia for nomads.

Tax residency threshold: 183+ days/yr. Foreigner-friendliness score: 7/10.

Healthcare + safety

Healthcare (6/10): Acceptable in Bali (BIMC, Siloam) but most expats medevac to Singapore for anything serious. Expat insurance ~$80/mo is non-optional.

Safety (8/10): Bali is very safe. Road safety on scooters is the genuine risk — get a real license, wear a helmet, do NOT drink and ride.

Cities covered

Rank Indonesia cities by your budget

All figures USD/month · 2026 data

#CityCost/moSurplusCushion
1Bali (Canggu/Ubud)Indonesia$1,690+$510130%

Green = budget covers tier cost with surplus to save/invest. Red = you'd need to drop a tier or cut rent. Couple multiplier ≈ 1.55× (shared rent), family ≈ 2.05×. Estimates only — not financial advice.

Common pitfalls

  • E33G requires $60k/yr income proof — not casual.
  • 'Bali tax' on goods + property pricing for foreigners is real.
  • Scooter accidents are the #1 medical claim category in Bali.

Best for

  • E33G's explicit foreign-income tax exemption
  • World-class surf + yoga + nomad scene
  • Affordable villa lifestyle
  • Massive expat density

FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Indonesia?

Budget bands for one adult: tight $1,200/mo, comfortable $2,200/mo, rich-feeling $4,500/mo.

What are the visa options for Indonesia?

Visa on Arrival (Tourist, 1 mo): 30 days, extendable +30 once. • E33G Remote Worker Visa (Digital Nomad, 12 mo, ~$5,000/mo income req): $60k/yr income. 1 yr renewable. Foreign-source income explicitly TAX-EXEMPT under this visa. • Second Home Visa (B11A) (Residency, 60 mo): Rp 2bn (~$130k) deposit. 5–10 yrs.

How does Indonesia tax foreign income?

Standard rule: 183+ days = tax resident, owes worldwide income at progressive rates (5%–35%). BUT the E33G remote-worker visa explicitly exempts foreign-source income from Indonesian tax — the cleanest carve-out in Asia for nomads.

Is healthcare good in Indonesia?

Acceptable in Bali (BIMC, Siloam) but most expats medevac to Singapore for anything serious. Expat insurance ~$80/mo is non-optional.

What are common pitfalls?

E33G requires $60k/yr income proof — not casual. • 'Bali tax' on goods + property pricing for foreigners is real. • Scooter accidents are the #1 medical claim category in Bali.

Sources

  • Imigrasi Indonesia — E33G
  • Direktorat Jenderal Pajak (DJP)
  • Numbeo Indonesia 2026

Data reviewed 2026-05-25. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice.