overview
Bali has beautiful beaches, lush green rice fields, vibrant culture, and year-round sunny weather. No wonder more and more people are considering moving here permanently. However, moving to a new country can be both exciting and challenging. This Guide will take you through everything you need to know about moving to Bali, from getting a visa to finding accommodation and much more. Whether you're a digital nomad, a retiree, or just looking for a change of scenery, this comprehensive Guide will help make your move to Bali easier, more successful, and with no surprises.
This Guide is divided into the following sections:
Why Move to Bali?
Bali is a trendy tourist destination for several reasons. We'll introduce you to these now and show you why moving to Bali is a great idea and why more and more people are choosing to make Bali their permanent home.
Warm Climate
Bali has a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity throughout the year. This makes it an ideal destination for those looking for a change from the cold and often dreary weather of more northern climates.
Relaxed Lifestyle
Bali is famous for its relaxed and laid-back lifestyle. The pace of life on the island is slow, and a lot of emphasis is placed on a calm and relaxed atmosphere.
Incredible Natural Beauty
Bali is a tropical island with beautiful beaches, rice fields, and high volcanoes. It's a nature lover's paradise; there's always something new to discover.
Affordable Cost of Living
Compared to many Western countries, the cost of living in Bali is relatively low. This means you can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle for a fraction of what you would spend in Europe, the US, or other developed countries.
Rich Culture
Bali has a rich cultural heritage, blending Hindu, Buddhist, and other traditions. The island is also known for its vibrant art scene. You can experience countless festivals, ceremonies, and events.
A Growing Community of Digital Nomads
The island is becoming increasingly popular among digital nomads and remote workers, with an increasing number of coworking spaces, cafes, and other establishments that improve this community and help it grow.
These are just a few reasons why moving to Bali could be an excellent idea for you. Bali has something to offer, whether you're looking for a change of pace, a new adventure, or a chance to experience a different way of life.
What is Needed
You must do a few things to move to Bali, starting before you leave and, in many cases, related to your home country. In our Checklists Guide, you can find a list of things you should remember before moving. Below are other topics to consider before moving to Bali and what not to skip.
Jobs
If you want to live in Bali long term, you must have savings or a secure income. You only have a few options if you need to secure an income. Fortunately, modern times and the Covid-19 pandemic have resulted in the spread of remote work and the development of a culture of digital nomads.
Working in Bali for local companies is nearly impossible unless you are fortunate and find a job in one of the hotel resorts as a manager with a European salary, where they can arrange visas, work permits, and other necessities for you. The average local salary in Bali is about IDR 3,500,000 (about USD 240), and you don't want to work for that.
Working in Bali on your own, such as a yoga instructor, personal coach, etc., without the proper visa is not recommended. It is tough to arrange visas for these jobs officially, and working without a visa in the public eye is risky. You risk heavy fines and deportation. A working European is viewed very negatively in Bali, and you probably won't avoid a few reports to the immigration department from locals because you are "taking their jobs."
On the other hand, working remotely as a digital nomad for any foreign company is perfectly normal here and tolerated under the B211A visa, even under the Immigration Authority's November 2022 announcement, so it's perfectly fine to go to co-working centers and cafes with a laptop and work online.
Visa
You need a visa for any stay in Indonesia. For long-term stays, the range of visas is narrowed down to more or less three types: Second Home visa, the KITAS visa, and the B211A visitor visa. For comprehensive information on available visas and cost comparisons for long-term stay, see the Visa Guide.
Long-term Travel Insurance
The choice of travel insurance is one of the points we recommend considering. Not only will you be able to cancel your state health insurance in your home county (check your country's legislation, though), but you will know that you are covered if you need it and won't have to cover your medical expenses yourself.
International Driving License
If you have a driving license and plan to drive a car or a scooter in Bali, get an international driving license. This will avoid unnecessary fines in case of an inspection. You can find many other tips in the Transport Guide.
Flight Tickets
A one-way ticket to Bali costs you around USD 600 from Europe. Just be aware the official rule for entering Indonesia is that you also need a ticket out of Indonesia. It doesn't have to be return one, though. In the Travel Regulations Guide, you can find out how to sort out this requirement without paying for expensive return tickets.
Medicines
If you are taking a specific medication long-term, ask your doctor in advance if it can be bought in Bali or if there is a substitute with a different name but the same active substances. If not, ask the doctor to prescribe multiple packs for a more extended period in advance.
Skype
Even though we live in an online age, from time to time, you need to get in touch with someone from your country by phone. Whether it's your grandmother, bank, or insurance company, you want to avoid paying roaming charges to call from Indonesia to Europe or the US. For this, we recommend using Skype and charging a credit of, for example, 10 Dollars, which will allow you to call mobile and landlines for pennies anywhere in the world.
Choice of Location
Choosing a location for your life in Bali may not be as crucial as it may seem. Moving within Bali is relatively easy, and you can change places depending on where you like to live. We recommend checking out the areas beforehand to see where to look for long-term accommodation if that's your goal. If you don't have that option, we recommend booking accommodation in advance for the first month, for example, and trying to move around after a few weeks. Currently, the most popular locations for digital nomads are Uluwatu, Canggu, and Ubud. For more on the benefits and features of each area in Bali, see the Locations Guide.
Choice of Accommodation
In addition to the location, you must decide what accommodation to choose. Bali offers a wide range of accommodation not only in size but of course also in price. There is something for everyone and in every area you choose. Of the cheaper options, some homestays and smaller hotels usually offer long-term accommodation for a month or more at a discounted price. The price for a month's accommodation in homestays or cheaper hotels ranges from IDR 3,500,000 (approx. USD 230).
A more expensive option is to rent an entire house or villa. The price for a month's accommodation in a private two-bedroom villa ranges from IDR 9,000,000 (approx. USD 600). For more information on housing costs, including those related to internet, laundry, cleaning, and more, see the Cost Guide.
What to Pack with You
You may wonder what to take if you move to Bali. The answer is simple: the same as if you were going on holiday. We do not recommend moving, for example, in a shipping container, furniture, or other home accessories. In many cases, the transport would cost you more than the value of the things, and you still run the unnecessary risk of destroying it and the inconvenience of customs clearance. It could quickly happen that you will not see your belongings for several months due to the length of the customs procedure.
If you're serious about moving, you can sell your belongings and buy new ones in Bali. Here you can get most of everything at lower prices than in Europe or the US. Moreover, most rental properties are already equipped with essential appliances and furniture.
💡 Tip: You can store your belongings in a rented personal storage unit in your country (unless you own a property in your family where things can be stored for free).
Our recommendations on what to bring to Bali can be found in the First Time in Bali Guide.
Our Recommendation
Before making such a major decision as moving to a new country, a completely different culture, and a different time zone, try a long-term stay for a month, ideally two. This time should give you a good idea of how things work on the island, whether it suits you, and whether you can live there long term.
We know people who have returned to Europe after a month because the different time zone didn't suit them due to work commitments. Others were bothered by the high humidity, others had different ideas about the costs they would have in Bali, and it is often the case that people leave because of the long-term separation from family and loved ones they are used to having around.
If you are planning to change your working pattern from a nine-to-five employee to a "freelancer" and "digital nomad," this change is also very challenging for many. Suddenly, you will be the master of your time, and self-reflection and discipline can be a big issue for you in the relaxed Balinese lifestyle. After all, with the beach just a short walk from your house and tropical temperatures every day, it's not exactly a working mood we're talking about :)
Once you have decided to take this big step, you have probably done so for important reasons, and you should stick to it. Leaving your comfort zone and leaving "everything behind" is often more difficult than we can admit. But we can promise that this decision will move you forward personally and you won't regret it. And we'll be happy to welcome you "to our" island.
You can contact us via the Member Chat if you have any additional questions about moving to Bali and our experience.
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