How to Retire in Bali 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide
Waking up to beach walks, a laid back lifestyle and friendly Balinese neighbours, with a cost of living that makes your retirement savings stretch much further than back home: welcome to retiring in Bali. For many retirees, Bali is a dream destination that offers a high quality lifestyle, good weather and the chance to enjoy exploring new horizons.
Beachfront mornings and a relaxed pace of life await in Bali. It’s the perfect place to make your retirement years more rewarding.
While it is a dreamy and comfortable choice for your golden years, relocating for retirement is a big decision that needs a lot of consideration and planning. If you’re thinking about taking the plunge, let us walk you through your options for retiring in Bali in 2025.
Step 1: Visit the Island and Do a Trial Run
Your first move should be visiting the island and spending time here. Although Bali is a tropical paradise, you could say that it looks different on paper. What you often don’t see is the traffic, relentless development and pollution that exists in some areas. Of course, there are plenty of quiet and peaceful areas, but to really get a feel for whether it's the right place for you, an extended trip would be the best first step.
For those looking for a more tranquil pace of life or cultural experience, living in Ubud (especially on the outskirts) can be a great option. If you’re hoping to be beside the sea, meet other retirees, and have good access to healthcare facilities, Sanur or Seminyak might be for you. Other expat areas like Canggu and Uluwatu are bustling beachside towns that have ample restaurants and places to visit, but they generally attract a younger crowd, whereas their quieter neighbours like Seseh, Cemagi and Pererenan may offer a bit more peace.
Once you’re here, don’t treat it as a luxury vacation for two weeks. Try renting a place for 6 months or take a couple of longer trips in different areas of the island and give them a trial run for as long as you can. Live within the budget that you’ve set for your retirement plan to see how far your money will go each month. Ultimately, if you’re going to sell any assets, invest considerable sums of money or plan on staying long term, getting clarity about where you want to do that is the smartest financial decision you can make.
Step 2: Choose Your Retirement Visa
Once you’ve decided that you do want to live in Bali, you need to get a visa. There are different options for retirees, depending on your financial situation.
For most people retiring in Bali, a Retirement KITAS (ITAS) E33F would be your best option. It’s a one year residence permit which is renewable.
In order to get one you’ll need:
A valid national passport with a minimum validity period of twelve (12) months.
A personal bank statement covering the past twelve (12) months, demonstrating a minimum monthly income of USD 3,000 (three thousand United States Dollars).
A recent digital photograph.
Applicant must be at least fifty-five (55) years of age.
A duly completed and signed Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Travel Itinerary form (template will be provided).
A residential address in Bali.
Tourist visas cannot be used for long-term retirement stays in Indonesia, though they are suitable for short visits while deciding if Bali is right for you.
If you have more money to play with, and are truly looking for long-term stability, the Silver Hair Visa (E33E) is ideal. The visa lasts for 5 years and eliminates the need for sponsors or annual renewals.
To be eligible you’ll need to:
Passport with a minimum validity of 6 months.
Passport photos
Proof of living costs min. US$2000. This refers to a recent bank statement.
Statement of commitment to deposit funds in an account in one's own name at a State-Owned Bank of at least US$50,000, which must be fulfilled no later than 90 days after granting the KITAS. The balance of US$50,000 has to be maintained during the whole period of visa validity.
Proof of income or benefits min. amount of US$3000, and this must be demonstrated and evidenced by a one-year bank statement
You have to be at least 60 years old.
It should be noted that consistently renewing a tourist/visit visa in order to stay long-term during your retirement is not allowed according to Indonesian law. You can, however, use one to visit Indonesia and decide if it’s a place you’d like to be longer term. Once you’ve decided, make sure to give enough time in advance for processing your visa. For the Retirement KITAS and Silver Hair Visa, the process is carried out offshore and will take approximately 10–12 calendar days.
Step 3: Prepare Your Finances and Documentation
If you are able to meet the financial requirements, you can start planning your documents and finances. For the standard Retirement KITAS, you'll need to show that you have $3000 monthly income through pension statements, investment accounts or savings withdrawal plans. The Silver Hair Visa requires the $50,000 deposit plus ongoing living expenses.
Make sure to research Bali’s cost of living in order to understand how much you’ll need here. If you’re budget conscious, you can probably live quite cheaply in local areas. However, if you’d rather be in busy expat hubs, you may end up spending quite a lot more per month. Don’t forget to factor in essentials like health insurance costs, utilities, transport and visits back home to see your family when making your calculations.
Step 4: Set Up Your New Life in Bali
Foreigners in Bali cannot legally own freehold property, but long-term leases of 25–30 years with renewal options are available.
Once you have your visa ready, it’s time to head off into the sunset. This means finding a place to live, which depending on your financial situation, could mean renting somewhere shorter term or finding a long-term leasehold property. It’s important to remember that you can’t actually own land or property freehold as a foreigner in Bali according to Indonesian law. You can, however, lease long-term (for 25-30 years) with the option for renewal. We strongly advise you to consult with a reputable professional during this step and to conduct due diligence before signing any property-related contracts or paperwork.
There are a number of unfortunate cases each year of unsuspecting buyers being scammed or sold land ‘freehold’ with nominee arrangements. Be wary of people who offer you the chance to buy somewhere freehold, as whatever arrangement you agree on with them wouldn’t make you the owner if reviewed in a court of law. That’s why it’s so important to seek professional help to avoid any issues or financial losses of your hard-earned savings.
Another step in your journey will involve completing your KITAS processing and opening a local bank like BCA, Mandiri or BNI. These accounts will help you to manage your daily expenses, pay for bills and services.
Healthcare setup should also be an immediate priority. Bali offers excellent international-standard care through facilities like BIMC Hospital, Siloam Hospitals, and Prima Medika Hospital. SOS Medika clinics provide additional coverage through the International SOS network.
If your visa requires domestic help, there are plenty of agencies who can help you find reliable and trustworthy household staff. Although it’s a legal obligation, having a domestic helper will probably be a welcome change and may help you learn about your local area or deal with language barriers.
Step 5: Understand Legal and Tax Implications
Tax residency becomes relevant if you spend more than 183 days annually in Indonesia. Indonesian tax residents pay progressive rates from 5-35% on worldwide income, including pensions. However, there are double taxation treaties with many countries in place, so planning ahead can help you to avoid being taxed too much.
Once again, we can’t stress the importance of seeking professional help in this area. It’s generally very affordable and can save you money in the long run, especially if you use effective tax strategy and planning.
Step 6: Get Long Term Stability
The Retirement KITAS must be renewed yearly, starting the process at least 30 days before it expires. After three renewals with the same sponsor, you may qualify for a KITAP, granting 5-year residency with unlimited renewals for long-term security.
If you get a Retirement KITAS, you need to be ready to renew your KITAS every year. You should start the process at least 30 days before it expires to allow enough time to get a new one. If you renew your KITAS with the same sponsor for three years, you will then be eligible for getting a KITAP, which is very close to permanent residency. Having one will allow you to stay for a 5-year term in the country, and the chance to renew your KITAP every 5 years indefinitely, which means you’ll have much greater long-term security.
Make sure you don’t jeopardize your retirement plan by:
Working without proper permits (including online work)
Using tourist visas for long-term residence
Not accounting for healthcare and emergency costs
Not keeping a good relationship with your Indonesian sponsor
Not complying with tax or visa laws
Ready to Begin Your Bali Retirement Journey?
We understand that this process may sound overwhelming or complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our expert team at Bali Solve, one of Bali’s leading visa and business consulting agencies, can help you every step of the way. With a track record of assisting countless individuals and businesses with everything from tax planning, obtaining visas, getting residency and conducting due diligence, we can give you the personalised support you need to make your move a success.
If you’d like advice or help regarding your specific situation, don’t hesitate to reach out to us by either visiting our office in Pererenan, or sending us a message on our Whatsapp. Make your retirement dream a reality soon with the peace of mind that everything is in good hands and is starting off just as it should be.
Written by Bali Solve Team
7th October 2025
