Indonesia
Jakarta, Asia
Living in Indonesia: the short version
Indonesia, and Bali in particular, is one of the world’s most popular bases for remote workers, with tropical scenery, low daily costs and a large international community. Rules have tightened: working on a tourist visa is enforced against, and remote workers should use the E33G permit.
Best for: Remote workers, surfers and wellness entrepreneurs, and retirees over 55.
Why people move here
- Low cost of daily living outside premium Bali areas
- Dedicated remote-worker and second-home visas
- Enormous natural and cultural variety
What to watch out for
- Bali traffic, overtourism and rising villa prices
- Local employment is restricted for foreigners
- Healthcare outside major cities is limited
How to move to Indonesia: main visa and residency routes
Summaries only — requirements and income thresholds change. Always check the official sources below.
- E33G Remote Worker KITAS
- One-year permit for people employed by companies outside Indonesia earning at least US$60,000 a year.
- Second Home Visa
- Five- or ten-year stay for people who can show substantial funds or a deposit in an Indonesian bank.
- Retirement KITAS
- For people aged 55 and over with a pension or income and private health insurance.
- Work KITAS
- For foreigners employed by an Indonesian company with an approved foreign worker plan.
Healthcare for newcomers
Expats rely on private hospitals in Jakarta, Bali and Surabaya and on international health insurance, which should include medical evacuation for serious cases.
Cost of Living
Cost of living index: 25 (NYC = 100)
Rent (1BR)
$400
Rent (3BR)
$800
Groceries
$150
Transport
$25
Utilities
$70
Internet
$25
Dining Out
$50
Tax System
Corporate Tax
22%
VAT / Sales Tax
12%
Social Security
4%
Capital Gains
5%
Income Tax Brackets
| Income Range (USD) | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 - $3,750 | 5% |
| $3,751 - $15,600 | 15% |
| $15,601 - $31,250 | 25% |
| $31,251 - $312,500 | 30% |
| $312,501 - Above | 35% |
Culture
Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago, with more than 17,000 islands, hundreds of ethnic groups and the largest Muslim population on earth. Bali is mostly Hindu, and each island has its own language, dress and traditions under the national motto “Unity in Diversity”.
Traditions
- Nyepi, Bali’s Day of Silence
- Lebaran (Eid) and the mudik homecoming
- Gamelan music and wayang shadow puppets
- Batik, recognised by UNESCO
Cultural Values
- Gotong royong (mutual help)
- Respect for elders
- Harmony and avoiding open conflict
- Religious faith
Common Greeting: Selamat pagi! / Apa kabar?
Cultural Tips
- • Use your right hand for eating and passing things
- • Raising your voice or showing anger in public causes loss of face
- • Wear a sarong and sash when visiting Balinese temples
- • “Jam karet” (rubber time) means schedules are flexible, but be on time for business
🍽 Food & Cuisine
Indonesian food varies enormously by island, but rice, chilli sambal, coconut, peanut sauce and aromatic spices from the historic Spice Islands tie it together.
Nasi Goreng
Fried rice with sweet soy sauce, shallots and chilli, topped with a fried egg
Rendang
Beef slow-cooked in coconut milk and spices until dry and deeply flavoured, from West Sumatra
Satay
Grilled skewers of chicken, goat or beef with peanut sauce
Gado-gado
Vegetables, tofu, tempeh and egg with a rich peanut dressing
Sources and methodology
Figures on this page are estimates in US dollars, compiled from the international datasets below and converted at recent exchange rates. The cost of living index uses New York City as 100. Guidance was last reviewed on . Found something out of date? Tell us.
Official Indonesia sources
Data sources
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — individual income tax
- Numbeo — cost of living (crowdsourced prices)
- World Bank Open Data — economic and population indicators
- OECD Tax Database — tax rates and social contributions
- ILOSTAT — employment and unemployment
- UNDP Human Development Reports — health and education
- UN World Population Prospects — population
Quality of Life
Job Market
Average Annual Salary
$4,500
Job Difficulty
Difficult
Unemployment Rate
4.8%
Work Permit Required
Yes
Top Industries
Languages
Official Languages
Other Languages Spoken