The KITAS and second-home visa routes are the common paths for longer stays.
A few things to line up early:
Visa rules change often — treat this as a starting point and confirm the latest official requirements before you plan.
Remember: buying a home and gaining the right to live there are usually separate steps. See how ownership works in Bali, Indonesia, and what it costs to live there in our cost-of-retiring guide.
Indonesian tax residents (183+ days) are taxed on worldwide income on a progressive scale up to 35%, with relief available under the UK-Indonesia double-tax treaty; the retirement KITAS and Second Home visas do not by themselves exempt a foreign pension, so take advice on residency and what you remit.
Southern Bali has decent private clinics and hospitals (such as BIMC and Siloam) for routine and moderate care, but serious emergencies are often referred to Singapore, so comprehensive international insurance is strongly advised; everyday consultations are inexpensive and usually paid out of pocket. Very friendly and generally safe; English is widely spoken in tourist and expat areas, but traffic is chaotic and driving is on the left, so many retirees prefer to hire a driver.
Sanur for a calm, flat, walkable beach town popular with retirees, Ubud for a green cultural base inland, Seminyak and Canggu for lively well-serviced coastal living, and Uluwatu for clifftop scenery.
Thinking seriously about Bali, Indonesia?
Two honest Brits, a private call, and straight answers — see if a freehold home abroad is a fit for you.
See if you qualify →