Living in Bali as a Digital Nomad: Cost of Living and Visa Options

Living in Bali as a digital nomad comes with a laidback island lifestyle, but it also means keeping your visa and tax position properly aligned. The type of permit you hold determines your stay period, how you can receive and move your income, and whether Indonesia can tax what you earn.

This guide breaks down key considerations when living in Bali as a digital nomad today. Mainly, we’ll explore the current cost of living, your visa (KITAS) options, and the tax rules that apply once you are based on the island.

Understanding the Cost of Living in Bali Today for Digital Nomads

Average Cost of Living in Bali for Digital Nomads

Bali remains one of the most affordable destinations for digital nomads. The island sits in the middle of Southeast Asia’s cost spectrum. It’s more expensive than Da Nang, but significantly more affordable than popular Thai destinations. And compared to Western cities like London, Sydney, or San Francisco, everyday living costs here are still roughly 60% lower.

You’ll also find that life on the island becomes considerably more affordable once you lean into a more local way of life. For instance, choosing neighbourhood warungs over trendy cafes and sourcing groceries from local markets immediately grounds your daily budget. 

The same applies to accommodation costs. While nightly rates on booking platforms carry a steep convenience tax, committing to a monthly stay usually brings these prices down by 20–30%. 

Most digital nomads fall into one of three spending tiers:

• Lean nomad: USD 1,000–1,400/month
• Comfortable professional: USD 1,600–2,400/month
• Upscale remote lifestyle: USD 2,800–3,500+ per month

The “comfortable” tier is where most long-term residents land. You can still enjoy a private apartment or modest villa, co-working access, regular dining out, fitness, and weekend travel– without paying tourist prices for everyday life. We break this down in the following section.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

Here’s what a realistic digital-nomad budget in Bali looks like today, from a comfortable local living to a premium setup:

Expense	Monthly Estimate (USD)
Long-term apartment or villa (1– 2 bedrooms)	USD 800–3,500+
Utilities & internet	USD 80–150
Coworking spaces or cafés	USD 100–350
Food (local + Western mix)	USD 250 – 600
Motorbike + fuel	USD 50 – 120
Health insurance	USD 80 – 200
SIM card & data	USD 15 – 30
Lifestyle & entertainment	USD 150 – 400
Visa & compliance	USD 150 – 800
Total range	USD 1,675 – 5,950

At the lower end, this covers a comfortable one-bedroom apartment, local transport, co-working access, and a mix of eating out and cooking. At the higher end, you’re looking at central locations, newer villas or apartments, premium gyms and cafés, and a more expat-style routine.

Visa Options and Residency Paths for Digital Nomads in Bali

Most digital nomads in Bali fall into one of two camps. Either you qualify for Indonesia’s official remote-worker visa, or you need a different arrangement that caters to how you actually earn and work.

Your options essentially depend on your income level, employer, and whether you plan to build a long-term presence on the island. Here are the most common entry points you can consider:

1. Secure a Long-Term Stay with the Digital Nomad Visa (E33G Remote Worker Visa)

The E33G Remote Worker Visa is the simplest way to base yourself in Bali if you meet the income threshold and have an existing contract with an overseas company. To qualify, you need to:

• Earn at least USD 60,000 per year
• Be employed by a non-Indonesian company
• Work exclusively for overseas clients

Once approved, the visa is issued for up to one year and can be renewed. It also allows multiple entries, so you can travel in and out of Indonesia before the stay period expires. 

As long as your income remains offshore, it won’t trigger local employment tax, though long-term stays (≥ 183 days) will bring your global income into the scope of Indonesian tax residency (see our section on digital nomad tax below). You also cannot take on Indonesian clients under this visa. You can, however, sponsor dependents (your spouse and children) for the duration of your stay. 

To apply, you’ll need to provide standard immigration documents. This includes a valid passport, proof of income and employment, and basic financial documents such as recent bank statements. 

2. Use Visit Visas If You Don’t Qualify for the Remote Worker Visa

If you’re freelancing, between contracts, or still building up to the USD 60,000 income threshold, visit visas are usually where you start. These aren’t long-term residence permits– generally allowing a maximum of 1–6 months depending on the visa. However, they do allow you to stay in Bali while working remotely or figuring out your next move.

Here are the options most common among digital nomads:

• Visa on Arrival (e-VOA / B1): This is the simplest way to enter Indonesia for a short stay. You can apply for it online before you fly or get it on arrival at the airport. It gives you 30 days, with the option to extend once for another 30 days. The e-VOA is designed for tourism and casual business activities. However, you can also use it as a scouting trip to check out neighbourhoods and working arrangements before committing to a longer stay.
• C2 Business Visit Visa: If you need to stay longer than two months, the C2 is the most common choice. It starts with 60 days and can be extended twice, giving you up to 180 days (6 months) in total. The main limitation is that it’s a single-entry visa, which means it expires once you leave the country. You’ll also need a local sponsor, which is where Emerhub can step in and handle the application process for you.
• D2 Business Visitor Visa: If you plan to make Bali your home base while travelling around Asia, the D2 gives you more flexibility. It’s issued for 1, 2, or 5 years, with stays of up to 180 days per visit, and you can leave and re-enter as often as you like without cancelling out the stay period. Like the C1, it also requires a local company to sponsor your application.

It’s also important to note that these are strictly non-employment visas. You cannot receive income from Indonesian companies or individuals, and any commercial activities must remain 100% offshore. 

3. Structure Your Employment Under an Employer of Record (EOR)

An Employer of Record is an ideal solution if you don’t qualify for the Remote Worker Visa, prefer a longer stay, or simply want the freedom to engage with local clients. It offers a way for you to live and work in Bali with full compliance to local regulations.

For freelancers and independent professionals, the EOR can become your local sponsor while you generate income through your overseas employer or local clients. You get to stay commercially independent, while the EOR consolidates your immigration, payroll, and tax position in Bali. Under this arrangement:

• You are formally employed via the EOR’s licensed local entity.
• You receive a Work KITAS, allowing you to live and work in Bali for 6–12 months with renewal options.
• Your income is processed through Indonesian payroll
• You are registered for BPJS social security and tax reporting
• Your stay is tied to a proper work permit, not a visit visa
• You can legally engage the local market and receive payments from Indonesian clients.

This gives you a genuine long-term base in Bali. You can sign leases, open bank accounts, and live here without having to leave the country every few weeks. Depending on your role and employment structure, the EOR can also help you apply for a four-year tax exemption or tap into Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAs) to avoid being taxed twice on the same income.

4. Sponsor Your Own Permit By Setting Up Your Own Business

Once Bali becomes more than a temporary base, most professionals move toward sponsoring their own stay through a local business structure.

If you’re starting a new venture, that usually means setting up a PT PMA (foreign-owned company). This allows you to hold a Work KITAS or Investor KITAS and run your own business from Bali. 

You won’t need a physical office for many online or service-based activities. A virtual office address is often enough for registration and compliance, while you work from home or a co-working space.

If you already have a company overseas, however, you don’t always need to form a new one. You can open a Representative Office instead, which gives your business a local presence in Bali. This is especially common among consultants, agencies, and SaaS founders who prefer setting up a base here without duplicating their operating company.

Both the Investor and Work KITAS are typically issued for 12 months and can be renewed as long as your company stays compliant. It’s also very common for founders and investors to adopt an EOR arrangement while their company and licenses are being finalised.

If you’re considering the Digital Nomad Visa or alternative pathways, Emerhub can help you navigate your options. We can handle your visa applications, EOR  arrangements and company setups. Let us know how we can help you through the form below.

Do I Need to Pay Taxes in Bali as a Digital Nomad? 

Under the latest regulations (PER-23/PJ/2025), Indonesia applies a substance-over-form approach when assessing tax residency. The Directorate General of Taxes (DGT) looks at how you actually live and work in Bali, on top of the type of visa or KITAS you hold. You’re generally considered a Domestic Tax Resident (SPDN) once you meet any of these criteria:

• The 183-Day Rule: You spend more than 183 days in Indonesia within any 12 months (consecutive or cumulative).
• Living Arrangements: You maintain a residence in Indonesia that is available for use at any time. It serves as your primary center for personal, social, or economic activities rather than a temporary transit point.
• Intent to Stay: You hold a residency permit (such as a KITAS or KITAP) valid for over 6 months. Other evidence of intent includes holding an employment contract or conducting business activities in Indonesia for longer than 6 months.

Once classified as a tax resident, you must register for an Indonesian Tax ID (NPWP). You’ll then become liable for tax on your worldwide income at progressive rates between 5% and 35%. The good news is that there are strategic ways you can manage your exposure:

• Foreigners with “certain skills,” such as software developers, engineers, and scientists, can apply to be taxed only on Indonesian-sourced income for their first four years. This means your foreign income remains exempt from Indonesian tax during this period. 
• Even if you don’t qualify as an “expert,” Indonesia’s active Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAs) with over 70 countries can help prevent the same income from being taxed twice. 

For a clearer view of how these apply to your situation, explore our tax guide for digital nomads here. You can also speak with our advisors to review your arrangements and clarify any tax obligations you need to plan for.

Expert Support for Digital Nomads in Bali

Living and working in Bali as a digital nomad means getting your immigration status and tax position properly aligned with how you earn. Emerhub supports digital nomads and remote workers across both, whether you’re here for a short visit or setting up a more permanent stay.

Our services range from visa and KITAS applications to EOR arrangements, company registration, and tax planning for remote workers and founders. With experts on the ground, we can help you apply for the right KITAS or make the necessary arrangements through an Employer of Record or company registration.

If you want to explore your KITAS options or need help getting your setup in order, reach out to our local advisors today. Fill out the form below, and we’ll put you in touch.