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Indonesia

Bali and beyond - tropical paradise living at unbeatable value

74/100
FutureLife Score
#54
FutureLife Index 2026
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$900
Comfortable/mo
7.5/10
Safety
6.5/10
Healthcare
#75
Happiness rank

Key Scores

74/100
Higher = better
Future Life Score
7.5/10
Safety Index
6.5/10
Healthcare
#75
Lower = happier
Happiness Rank

Why people move to Indonesia

+Bali: world's #1 digital nomad island destination
+Rice terraces, temples, surf and spa at budget prices
+5-year Digital Nomad Visa pilot underway
+International community in Canggu, Ubud and Seminyak
+Zero income tax on foreign-sourced income
Digital nomadsTropicalBudget-luxury
Culture & context

World's largest archipelago and largest Muslim-majority nation - warm, communal, and surprisingly diverse from island to island.

People, religion & languages

Population
~275M
58% urban
Languages
Bahasa Indonesia
Also: Javanese (~80M speakers), Sundanese, Balinese, English (tourist zones)
Day-to-day English

Decent in Bali, Jakarta business districts and major hotels. Limited elsewhere - translation apps are essential.

Religion

Officially recognises six religions; one must appear on your ID. Muslim-majority overall, but Bali is overwhelmingly Hindu.

Islam
87%
Christianity
11%
Hinduism
2%
Buddhism
1%
In daily life

Call to prayer five times daily in most cities. Alcohol restricted in Aceh; widely available elsewhere. Ramadan affects daytime business hours.

Culture & etiquette

What locals value and what to watch for

HospitalityRespect for eldersIndirect communicationCommunity over individualSaving face
Do
  • Remove shoes before entering homes and many shops
  • Use your right hand to eat, pass items, and greet
  • Smile and bow your head slightly when greeting
  • Accept tea, coffee or snacks when offered - refusing offends
Avoid
  • Pointing with your index finger (use your thumb)
  • Touching anyone's head - considered sacred
  • Public anger or raised voices
  • Wearing revealing clothing outside Bali/resort zones
Dress code

Modest dress is the norm - shoulders and knees covered outside Bali, Jakarta CBD and beach areas. Headscarves not required for non-Muslim women.

Pace of life

Famously relaxed - 'jam karet' (rubber time) means schedules slip. Friendly chatter expected before business.

Expat-friendliness

Genuinely welcoming, especially in Bali, Jogja and Lombok. Long-term expat communities are well-established but local integration takes patience.

Holidays & food culture

One of the world's most underrated cuisines - bold spice, fermented sambal, peanut sauces and 17,000 islands' worth of regional dishes.

Nasi gorengSateRendangGado-gadoBaksoSoto
Mealtimes

Lunch 12:00–14:00, dinner 19:00–21:00. Snacking between meals is normal.

Dietary norms

Halal is the default outside Bali. Vegetarian options growing in Bali and Jakarta; rare elsewhere. Alcohol available except Aceh; expect a 'sin tax' on imports.

Major holidays
Variable (Apr–Jun)
Eid al-Fitr (Lebaran)
Biggest holiday - country shuts for ~1 week, mass migration home
Variable
Eid al-Adha
Public holiday
March
Nyepi (Bali only)
Day of Silence - airport closes, no one leaves home
August 17
Independence Day
December 25
Christmas Day
Public holiday despite Muslim majority
Jan–Feb
Chinese New Year
Public holiday

Work culture & business norms

Working weekMonday–Friday
Hours08:00–17:00 typical. Friday afternoon prayer break for Muslim colleagues (~30–60 min).
HierarchyStrongly hierarchical - title and seniority matter. Decisions flow top-down; junior staff rarely contradict in meetings.
PunctualityFlexible by Western standards (15–30 min late is common), tightening in multinationals.
Meeting styleRelationship-first - expect small talk before business. Real decisions often happen offline; meetings ratify them.
Business attireBusiness casual in tech, long-sleeve batik shirts widely accepted on Fridays. Suits for banking/legal.

Hidden Gems

Off the beaten path

→

Amed - quiet fishing village on the east coast with incredible black-sand beach snorkeling and WWII shipwreck diving

→

Sidemen Valley - lush valley between Ubud and Amed, almost no tourists, stunning rice terrace walks

→

Nusa Penida's Broken Beach - surreal natural rock arch with turquoise lagoon, 45-min ferry from Sanur

Monthly cost snapshot
Comfortable lifestyle$1,000/mo
Semi-Luxury lifestyle$1,700/mo
Luxury lifestyle$3,400/mo

Single person, before income tax

AI affordability check
At $4,000/month remote income you'd have $3,100 surplus after budget-tier costs - saving 78% of your income.
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Quick facts

LanguageIndonesian
CurrencyIDR
Internet35 Mbps avg
EnglishLow
Future Life Score74/100
Future Life Rank#54
PR pathHard · 5 yrs
CitizenshipNo clear path
Passport rank#73
Visa-free73 countries
Income tax35% top rate
VAT11%
Main hubDenpasar (DPS)
Population4.3 million (island)
ReligionHindu (83% of island)
Peak seasonJuly–August
Avg temp27–30°C / 80–86°F

Visa options

Bali Digital Nomad Visa (B211A Social)Easy
KITAS (Temporary Stay Permit)Moderate
Retirement KITAS (55+)Easy
Before you move in
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Things to do, hidden gems, food & real daily costs
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