Moving to Indonesia in 2026

Moving to Indonesia: entry, first 30 days, 3-month budget

Russian citizens get a visa on arrival or an e-visa in advance: about $28 for 30 days with one 30-day extension. Living there long-term needs a separate status: a one-year remote worker visa with income from $60,000 a year from abroad, an investor permit through your own company, or a 5- or 10-year second home visa with a deposit of about $111,700. Working for Indonesian employers or clients without a work permit is not allowed.

1. Before the trip. Choosing the status, income statements for the year and the account balance, a company and a local sponsor if needed.
2. Days 1-30. Entry on a visa on arrival, renting a home, applying for or activating the long-term visa.
3. Days 30-90. Foreigner card, address registration, local bank account, insurance with evacuation.

Rent is higher on Bali: a one-bedroom villa in Canggu costs $750-1,100 a month, in Ubud $500-870, in Sanur and Denpasar $370-620. Without rent one person needs about $600 a month, a family of four about $1,500. We calculate a family budget in the chat.

Indonesia in brief

Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago, with more than 17,000 islands, and the fourth most populous country, with about 280 million people. The capital is Jakarta on Java; the law moving the capital to Nusantara on Borneo was passed in 2022, but the government still works in Jakarta. The language is Indonesian, and the currency is the rupiah, about 17,900 rupiah to the dollar in 2026. For foreigners the country means above all Bali, Jakarta and neighbouring Lombok.

Indonesia suits remote workers with income from abroad, entrepreneurs opening a company in one of Asia's largest economies, and wealthy families who want a 5 or 10-year second home visa.

How to move in 2026

• Remote worker visa - a 1-year permit with income from $60,000 a year from abroad and at least $2,000 in the bank over the last 3 months; the state fee is about 7 million rupiah. Details are on the page remote worker visa.
• Investor permit - your own foreign-owned company with a stake in your name from 10 billion rupiah, about $558,300; the company's paid-up capital since 2025 is from 2.5 billion rupiah, about $139,600. The permit is for 2 years and renewable.
• Second home visa - for 5 or 10 years with a 2 billion rupiah deposit, about $111,700, in a state bank or property from $1 million.
• Golden visa - for an investor setting up a company: from $2.5 million for 5 years or from $5 million for 10 years.

We compare all routes on the page Indonesian residence and handle the process end to end with a local sponsor.

Permanent residence and citizenship

A permanent stay permit can be obtained after several years on a temporary one, and also by spouses of citizens and golden visa holders. Naturalisation requires 5 years of continuous residence or 10 years with breaks, Indonesian and renunciation of previous citizenship: Indonesia does not recognise dual citizenship for adults. So the country is chosen as a base for life and business rather than for a passport.

Taxes

You become a tax resident after 183 days in 12 months. A resident pays income tax on a scale from 5% to 35% on worldwide income, while non-residents are taxed mainly through 20% withholding. Remote worker visa holders pay no tax on foreign income as long as they work for a foreign employer or clients. Corporate tax is 22%, and VAT is 12% but effectively 11% for most goods and services. Small businesses run by individuals may pay 0.5% of turnover. Details are on the page taxes in Indonesia.

Property

A foreigner cannot own land freehold but can buy a flat or house under a right of use, with a minimum price for foreigners that depends on the province. Another common option in Bali is a long-term lease of land and a villa for 25-30 years. Buying through local nominee owners is illegal and dangerous for the buyer. We check the form of ownership and the seller before the deal; more on the page property in Indonesia.

Business and accounts

A foreign-owned company is registered in about two working weeks, the paid-up capital since 2025 is from 2.5 billion rupiah, and some sectors are closed to foreigners or require a local partner. An Indonesian bank account is opened after you receive a stay permit. We help with company registration, a business account and a personal account.

Cost of living

• Rent - a one-bedroom flat in a city from $400 a month; a villa in Bali costs noticeably more depending on area and season.
• Costs excluding rent - about $600 a month for one person and about $1,500 for a family of four.
• Food - local food is very cheap; imported groceries and wine are expensive.
• Household help - a housekeeper and driver are affordable.

Where to live

• Bali - remote workers, surfing, yoga and international schools in Canggu, Ubud and the south of the island. More in the Bali guide.
• Jakarta - business, finance, large international schools and hospitals. More in the Jakarta guide.
• Lombok - the island next to Bali, quieter and cheaper.
• Bandung and Yogyakarta - university cities on Java with a cooler climate and cultural life.

Practicalities

• Entry. Citizens of many countries, including Russia, get a visa on arrival or an e-visa in advance: $28 (500,000 rupiah) for 30 days with one extension of another 30.
• Climate. Hot and humid all year, with the rainy season roughly from November to March.
• Healthcare. Good private clinics in Bali and Jakarta; complex cases fly to Singapore, so insurance with evacuation is needed.
• Risks. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and floods, and in Jakarta traffic and dirty air in the dry season.

Who Indonesia suits

Pros: low living costs, a warm sea, convenient visas for remote workers, a 10-year second home visa and a large domestic market for business. Cons: no land ownership, complex bureaucracy and a mandatory local sponsor, no dual citizenship, and natural hazards. Indonesia suits remote workers, entrepreneurs and families who want to live by the sea in Asia. Write in the chat and we will choose a status and island and work out the moving budget.