Moving to Bali
A step-by-step guide for people who actually plan to stay in Bali, Indonesia. Not a vacation itinerary.
Monthly cost
$1,284
solo, city centre
Livability
65/100
decent
Safety
75/100
Fine. Just keep your wits about you
PR timeline
5 yrs
citizenship: 10y
How to move to Bali
Visas, residency, and the paperwork you can't avoid
Indonesia Second Home Visa
Bring a lawyerDuration: 5 or 10 years
Deposit of ~$130,000 USD in Indonesian bank. Not cheap, but it's Bali.
Visa difficulty by nationality
5 years
to permanent residency
10 years
to citizenship
⚠️ Requires Bahasa Indonesia proficiency and renouncing all other citizenships.
Work permit accessibility: moderate
What it costs to move to Bali
First-month sticker shock, decoded
Day-one setup cost
$1,082
1-bed, city centre / mo
Cheaper than 55% of 97 cities
$3,348
3-bed, city centre / mo
Monthly burn (solo)
$1,284/moRent + groceries + transport + utilities. No avocado toast budget.
Housing friction
Easy1–7 days, walk-in or online
- •Passport sufficient (KITAS for long-term)
- •1–3 months' deposit depending on term
- •Abundant villas and apartments
- •Foreigners cannot own land — lease only
First month in Bali
The to-do list nobody gives you at the airport
- ☐
Apply for Indonesia Second Home Visa
5 or 10 years. Deposit of ~$130,000 USD in Indonesian bank. Not cheap, but it's Bali.
- ☐
Open a local bank account
Bring a Indonesian-speaking friend or prepare for mime-based banking
- ☐
Get a local SIM card
~$6/mo for 10GB+
- ☐
Find an apartment
Expect 1–7 days, walk-in or online. Housing friction: Easy.
- ☐
Have $2,914 ready for move-in costs
First month + 1mo deposit + furniture
- ☐
Register with local authorities
Most countries require address registration within 30 days
- ☐
Get health insurance
Private insurance ~$50/mo until residency kicks in
- ☐
Start learning basic Indonesian
Not optional. Download Duolingo before the plane lands
Language in Bali
Can you order coffee without pointing?
Indonesian
primary language
Low
English proficiency
English proficiency is low. Learning at least basic Indonesian isn't optional — it's survival.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, freedom, and regime vibes
6.8/10
democracy index (EIU)
🏚️ Flawed democracy
regime type
#49 of 163
Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful)
Travel advisory: Level 2 — Exercise increased caution
FCDO advises against travel to some regions.
Is Bali safe?
Crime stats for people who read footnotes
🤷
Fine. Just keep your wits about you
0.3
homicides per 100k
Crime index: 51/100
Elevated. Research neighborhoods carefully before signing a lease.
Weather in Bali
What the thermometer actually says
29°C
summer highs
25°C
winter lows
36 Mbps
average download speed
If you get sick
Healthcare access for new arrivals
System: BPJS national insurance available to permit holders; private hospitals preferred by expats
Before residency: BPJS public system for residents with KITAS permit only. Pre-residency: private insurance essential (~$45/mo). Public hospitals are affordable out-of-pocket for minor issues. Serious care = private hospital or medical evacuation to Singapore. (private insurance ~$50/mo)
The honest take
What we'd tell a friend
Going for it
- ✓ Bali: 0.3/100k violence, but crime index 51. Guard your wallet.
- ✓ Sea access in Bali at 29°C summers. Yes, really.
- ✓ 5.0% GDP growth in Indonesia. Jobs appearing in Bali.
Think twice about
- ✗ Democracy 6.8/10 in Indonesia. Bali's rule of law is inconsistent.
- ✗ No English shortcut in Bali. Indonesian or struggle.
- ✗ Internet in Bali: 36 Mbps average. Download things offline.
This is the settler summary. For the full data dump:
Full Bali profile →