Indonesia
A solid all-round choice. Ranked 25 of 55, strongest on affordability, softest on retiree visa.
- Healthcare 78
- Retiree visa 50
- Affordability 95
- Safety 52
- Climate 66
- Expat community 78
- Retirement visaYesRetirement KITAS (E33F); E33E Silver Hair / Golden route also availableemerhub.com
- Min incomeHigh (harder to meet)emerhub.com
- Monthly budgetMuch lower than the USnumbeo.com
- HealthcareGoodbih.id
- SafetyModerateen.wikipedia.org
- Top citiesUbud, Sanur, Yogyakarta
Good to know
- Good healthcare accessPublic BPJS Kesehatan care is very affordable but mostly in Bahasa Indonesia with long waits, so most expats use private hospitals in Bali (such as Bali International Hospital) that offer multilingual staff and international-standard care.bih.id
- Dedicated retirement visaRetirement KITAS (E33F); E33E Silver Hair / Golden route also availableemerhub.com
- Low cost of livingEstimated monthly costs for a single person in Denpasar (Bali) are about Rp7.2 million (roughly USD 450) excluding rent.numbeo.com
- Established expat communityBali is Indonesia's main expat hub, with tourist and expat-facing services (including multilingual private hospitals) widely available, though English fluency drops outside those areas.bih.id
Watch out for
- Safety needs attentionIndonesia ranks 69th of 163 countries on the Global Peace Index with a score of 1.918, placing it mid-table for peacefulness.en.wikipedia.org
Visa & residency
The E33F Retirement KITAS requires proof of monthly pension or passive income of at least USD 3,000; the E33E Silver Hair route requires the same income plus a deposit. Applicants are typically 55 to 60 years or older depending on classification.
A separate Second Home Visa (E33) grants 5 to 10 years of residency but requires an IDR 2 billion (about USD 130,000) deposit in a state-owned bank or a USD 1 million property, per the official eVisa portal.
Healthcare
Public BPJS Kesehatan care is very affordable but mostly in Bahasa Indonesia with long waits, so most expats use private hospitals in Bali (such as Bali International Hospital) that offer multilingual staff and international-standard care.
International private health insurance is strongly recommended for expats to access private facilities and evacuation, as out-of-pocket private hospital stays can run USD 100 to 1,000 or more per night.
Cost of living
Estimated monthly costs for a single person in Denpasar (Bali) are about Rp7.2 million (roughly USD 450) excluding rent.
A one-bedroom apartment in central Denpasar averages about Rp6.8 million per month, and about Rp2.8 million per month outside the centre.
Safety
Indonesia ranks 69th of 163 countries on the Global Peace Index with a score of 1.918, placing it mid-table for peacefulness.
Climate
Indonesia has a hot, humid tropical climate with a wet season roughly November to April and a drier season May to October.
Community & language
Bali is Indonesia's main expat hub, with tourist and expat-facing services (including multilingual private hospitals) widely available, though English fluency drops outside those areas.
Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) is the official national language, serving as the unifying tongue across the archipelago.
Taxes
Indonesian tax residents (present more than 183 days) are generally taxed on worldwide income at progressive rates of 5 to 35 percent, so foreign pensions may be taxable, subject to relief under applicable double-tax treaties.
Indonesia has around 80 double-taxation treaty partners, including the US, UK, Germany, France, Japan, China and Australia, and grants a credit for foreign tax paid on foreign income.
Moving & migration
To open a bank account in Indonesia, you typically need a valid passport, a KITAS (temporary stay permit) or KITAP (permanent stay permit), and a tax identification number (NPWP). Major banks include Bank Mandiri, BCA (Bank Central Asia), BNI (Bank Negara Indonesia), and BRI (Bank Rakyat Indonesia). Some banks offer English-language services for expats, particularly in Jakarta and Bali. Multi-currency accounts are available.
Indonesia does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK. Make sure you have appropriate health insurance from Indonesian or international providers. If working in Indonesia, check with your employer if health insurance is part of your employment package. For treatment advice, consult the FCDO lists of English-speaking medical facilities and doctors for British nationals in Indonesia.
You can drive in Indonesia with a valid UK driving licence and an International Driving Permit (IDP) as long as both remain valid. If you hold a temporary or permanent stay permit, you can apply for an Indonesian driving licence (SIM, Surat Izin Mengemudi) through the Indonesian National Police (Polri). A driving test may be required.
Personal household goods can be shipped to Indonesia. A detailed inventory list, passport, valid stay permit (KITAS/KITAP), and proof of residence are typically required. Customs duties and import taxes may apply depending on the items and your residency category. Contact the Indonesian Directorate General of Customs and Excise for current regulations before shipping.
Dogs and cats entering Indonesia require an import licence from the Indonesian Directorate of Livestock and Animal Health, obtained in advance. A microchip, valid rabies vaccination, and veterinary health certificate are also required. Some areas of Indonesia have restrictions and do not permit pet entry (e.g. rabies-free zones such as certain islands). Consult a reputable pet import company or contact the Indonesian Embassy in London for current requirements.
Step 1: Apply for a visa or stay permit online at the Indonesian eVisa portal (evisa.imigrasi.go.id). Retirees aged 55+ can apply for the E33F Retirement KITAS (proof of USD 3,000/month pension income). Step 2: Enter Indonesia and register at your local civil registration office to obtain your residence certificate (SKTT). Step 3: Temporary stay permits are typically valid for 1 year and renewable. Step 4: After meeting eligibility criteria, apply for a permanent stay permit (KITAP). Step 5: Indonesia generally does not recognise dual citizenship; citizenship requires renouncing British nationality.
Popular retirement spots
Where retirees in Indonesia tend to settle, and the honest reason why. Each note shows its source.
Ubud
Inland Bali town and arts-and-culture center with a large wellness-focused expat and tourist community.
Sanur
Bali's oldest resort area, a quieter established beach town east of Denpasar with international medical facilities.
Yogyakarta
City on Java and a center of classical Javanese arts and culture, still ruled by an active monarchy.
Questions about retiring in Indonesia
Answered from the verified data on this page. Every answer shows its source; anything we have not confirmed says so plainly rather than guessing.
- Does Indonesia have a retirement visa?
Yes. Indonesia offers the Retirement KITAS (E33F); E33E Silver Hair / Golden route also available.
emerhub.com- How much monthly income do I need to retire in Indonesia?
As a guide: The E33F Retirement KITAS requires proof of monthly pension or passive income of at least USD 3,000; the E33E Silver Hair route requires the same income plus a deposit. Applicants are typically 55 to 60 years or older depending on classification. Treat this as indicative and verify the current official figure before you rely on it.
emerhub.com- Is healthcare good for expats in Indonesia?
Healthcare quality is rated good. Public BPJS Kesehatan care is very affordable but mostly in Bahasa Indonesia with long waits, so most expats use private hospitals in Bali (such as Bali International Hospital) that offer multilingual staff and international-standard care. On cost: International private health insurance is strongly recommended for expats to access private facilities and evacuation, as out-of-pocket private hospital stays can run USD 100 to 1,000 or more per night.
bih.id- How expensive is it to retire in Indonesia?
Much lower than the US. A comfortable single-retiree budget is Estimated monthly costs for a single person in Denpasar (Bali) are about Rp7.2 million (roughly USD 450) excluding rent.
numbeo.com- Is Indonesia safe?
Moderate. Indonesia ranks 69th of 163 countries on the Global Peace Index with a score of 1.918, placing it mid-table for peacefulness.
en.wikipedia.org- What is the climate like in Indonesia?
The climate is tropical (rainforest, monsoon and savanna variants). Indonesia has a hot, humid tropical climate with a wet season roughly November to April and a drier season May to October.
en.wikipedia.org- Where do retirees live in Indonesia?
Popular retirement spots include Ubud, Sanur and Yogyakarta.
en.wikipedia.org
Compare Indonesia with its closest rivals
The three countries whose RetireScore sits nearest.
