Bali · Retire
Retire in Bali: live your retirement in paradise from €1,200/month
The complete guide to retiring in Bali in 2026: KITAS Lansia visa, real cost of living from €700/month, healthcare, the best areas and everything you need to know before making the move.
More and more Europeans are leaving behind grey winters, impossible rents and pensions that no longer stretch, to begin a new life in Bali. It is not a romantic utopia: it is a real, measurable movement that grows every year. This guide sums up everything you need to know before making the move —visa, money, healthcare, areas, housing— with no filler and verifiable 2026 data.
Why more and more Europeans choose Bali to retire
Bali is not just the honeymoon destination that fills the magazines. Stable communities of European retirees —Dutch, German, British, French and, over the last five years, a growing wave of Spaniards and Italians— have been settling here for decades. The reasons come up in almost every conversation with expats:
A constant climate all year round. An average temperature between 26 °C and 30 °C, with no winter. For anyone who has spent years coping with cold damp, arthritis or simply weariness of the European winter, the day-to-day difference is enormous.
A cost of living three to four times lower than in Western Europe. An average Spanish pension —which in Spain only covers a dignified survival— lets you live comfortably in Bali, eat out several times a week, have household help and run your own vehicle.
A culture of care. Balinese Hinduism has a very different relationship with age than the Western one: the elder is a figure of respect, not a social burden. You feel it on the street, in services and in how the neighbourhood treats you.
A consolidated, active expat community. Ubud, Sanur and Tabanan have hiking, yoga, reading, volunteering, talk and social groups in both Spanish and English. If loneliness worries you —the number-one fear of any retiree abroad— that fear dissolves within two months.
A quality of life that money cannot buy in Europe. A house with a pool, a garden, ocean views, domestic help, fresh food, private transport: all of that fits within a budget that in Spain barely covers the rent on a 60 m² flat.
How much it costs to retire in Bali: your real budget
This is where much of the information online falls short: figures with no context, pre-pandemic data, or breakdowns aimed at 25-year-old nomads rather than retirees. Here are the three real ranges for 2026, based on specific budgets from European residents we consulted.
| Item | Local (€700) | Comfortable (€1,200) | Premium (€2,000) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing rent | Room or local house — €150 | 1-bed villa with shared pool — €400 | Private villa with own pool — €800 |
| Food | Local warungs (€3 a meal) — €150 | Mix of warungs + expat cafés — €250 | Western restaurants and premium supermarket — €400 |
| Transport | Rented or owned scooter — €50 | Scooter + occasional Grab — €80 | Car with driver or own vehicle — €250 |
| Healthcare and insurance | Basic insurance — €60 | Mid-range international insurance — €120 | Premium insurance with repatriation — €200 |
| Leisure and community | Limited — €40 | Yoga, weekly dinners — €100 | Spa, travel, club, events — €200 |
| Utilities (electricity, water, internet) | €50 | €80 | €100 |
| Household help or domestic service | Not included | Weekly cleaning — €50 | Full-time housekeeper — €200 |
These figures are real, not brochure numbers. What many discover after moving is that they can start in the “comfortable” range and drop to “local” as they settle in, or step up to “premium” without much effort if their pension allows.
KITAS Lansia: the visa to retire in Bali
Without the right visa, none of the above is legal. Bali offers several options for European retirees, and choosing well makes the difference between a smooth move and a bureaucratic nightmare.
The two main options in 2026
KITAS Lansia / Retirement KITAS (code E33F). The classic retirement visa. It lets you live in Indonesia without working, valid for 1 year and renewable annually up to a maximum of 5 years, at which point you can apply for the KITAP (permanent residency).
Silver Hair Visa (code E33E). A more recent option, designed to attract retirees with greater purchasing power. In 2026 many nationalities need to be 60 or over (previously 55). It offers faster processing and some additional advantages.
General requirements for the Retirement KITAS
- Minimum age: 55 (60 for some options in 2026)
- Demonstrable income: around USD 1,500/month (approximately €1,380/month) from a pension, private retirement income or other passive income
- Valid passport with at least 18 months of validity remaining and 6 blank pages
- Private health insurance with coverage in Indonesia
- A rental contract or property title for a home in Indonesia
- No intention to work in Indonesia
- Sponsor: a licensed Indonesian travel agency, which arranges the visa on your behalf
After 5 years: the KITAP
After 5 years renewing the retirement KITAS annually, you are eligible for the KITAP, the permanent residency. It is valid for 5 years and renews indefinitely. For all practical purposes, you are in Bali for good.
Healthcare in Bali: what you need to know as a retiree
Healthcare is the number-one concern for any European considering retirement abroad. Good news: Bali has private healthcare infrastructure of international quality, especially in Denpasar, Kuta and Ubud.
Leading international hospitals:
- BIMC Hospital (Kuta and Nusa Dua) — international standard, care in English, 24h emergency
- Siloam Hospital (Denpasar) — large private network, broad range of specialties
- Sanglah Hospital (Denpasar) — the leading public hospital, best for complex cases
- Kasih Ibu (Denpasar and Kediri) — good reputation, reasonable costs
For major surgery or oncological treatment, many expats choose to fly to Singapore (1h 40m flight, world-class healthcare). That is why insurance with repatriation or regional evacuation coverage is practically essential.
Recommended insurers for retirees in Bali
IATI Seguros
RecommendedThe most popular option among Spanish-speaking retirees. Specific coverage for over-65s, service in Spanish and experience with processing in Indonesia. From around €80/month.
Visitar
Heymondo
A Spanish brand with flexible plans for long stays. Good reviews on coverage of pre-existing chronic conditions. 5% discount for our readers.
VisitarSafetyWing
A monthly subscription you can cancel at any time. Ideal if you are not yet sure how long you will stay. Global coverage based in Bali. Flat price regardless of age up to 69.
VisitarThe best areas to retire in Bali
Not all of Bali is the same. While Canggu and Seminyak have become frenetic areas for digital nomads and young tourists, other areas keep the quiet pace a retiree is looking for.
Ubud — Bali’s cultural heart, surrounded by jungle and rice paddies. The expat community is large and very active: yoga, meditation, volunteering, talks, restaurants at every level. Heavy traffic in the centre, but the nearby villages (Penestanan, Pengosekan) are quiet oases. A slightly cooler climate thanks to the altitude.
Sanur — the east coast, a calm sea with no waves, a seafront promenade, a family atmosphere and a mature, mainly European expat community. Hospitals nearby, international supermarkets, streets safe to walk. Probably the most recommendable area for retirees who value calm and services.
Lovina — the north coast, far less touristy, lower prices, a small but close-knit expat community. A calm sea, spectacular sunsets. Further from the airport (3h by car), which for some is an advantage and for others a drawback.
Seminyak — the sophisticated, lively face of Bali: boutiques, signature restaurants, beach clubs and a long beach for walking. Western services within easy reach and a large international community. It is the option for those who value social life and convenience over calm; in return, there is traffic and a fairly touristy atmosphere.
Nusa Dua — a residential and resort enclave at the southern tip, well kept, safe and very quiet. Gentle beaches protected by reef, broad clean streets, an international hospital nearby and the airport 20 minutes away. Less local life and authenticity, but hard to beat for comfort and serenity.
How to manage your money from Bali
Receiving your pension in Europe and spending in rupiah in Bali sounds complicated but today it is trivial. Two tools solve 95% of the problem with minimal fees:
Wise
EssentialEssential. A multi-currency account that lets you receive your pension in euros and convert to Indonesian rupiah at the real exchange rate, with fees of under 1%. A card to withdraw from local ATMs without absurd surcharges.
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Revolut
The perfect complement for daily spending and travel. A good card to withdraw cash from ATMs and pay in shops. Worth having alongside Wise — each has its strengths.
VisitarFee-free ATMs in Indonesia: CIMB Niaga and Permata Bank ATMs do not charge an additional fee on Wise/Revolut cards. BCA and BNI ATMs do charge a fixed fee of around IDR 25,000 per transaction (about €1.50).
An Indonesian bank account: once you have your KITAS, you can open a local account. Useful for setting up direct debits for rent and utilities, but not strictly necessary in the first months.
Daily life in Bali: what to expect
Language. English is understood in tourist areas and among expats. Learning basic bahasa Indonesia (greetings, numbers, food) opens doors and is much appreciated. It is one of the easiest languages in the world for Spanish speakers: similar pronunciation, no tones, simple grammar.
Culture and ceremonies. Bali has its own calendar of Hindu ceremonies almost every week. On Nyepi (the Balinese New Year), the whole island comes to a standstill for 24 hours: no one goes out, not even the airport operates. It is a unique experience. Get used to the offerings (canang sari) on pavements and altars: they are part of the landscape.
Community. There are WhatsApp and Facebook groups for almost everything: Spanish retirees in Ubud, European expats in Sanur, hikers, bridge players, readers. Integrating is a matter of a month if you put your mind to it.
Driving. Most retirees get around by scooter (€50/month rented, €1,000–1,500 to buy). It is easy, cheap and sorts out daily life. For longer distances, Grab (the Asian Uber) is very cheap: €5 takes you from Sanur to Ubud.
Internet and connectivity. Fibre optic reaches almost all residential areas. Enough for video calls, Netflix and remote work. For the first few days or if you travel around the island, an eSIM such as Airalo gives you data instantly without changing your physical card.
Airalo
To arriveAn eSIM for Indonesia you can activate before landing: data from minute one, no queues or changing cards. Ideal for the first few days and for getting around the islands.
VisitarBuying a villa to retire in Bali?
Many European retirees who stay more than 2 years end up considering buying rather than renting. The logic is simple: renting a decent villa costs €400–800/month; buying a similar newly built villa starts at €59,000. In under 10 years, you have recovered what you would pay in rent.
As a foreigner you cannot hold full freehold ownership (Hak Milik), but you can access:
- Leasehold (Hak Sewa): use rights for 25–30 years, extendable up to 80. The most common option for foreigners.
- Hak Pakai: use rights tied to your KITAS, closer to ownership but limited by the validity of your residency.
- Freehold (PT PMA + Hak Guna Bangunan): the corporate route. If you set up a company in Indonesia, it can hold the building right for 30 years, extendable up to 80.
If you buy a villa in Bali, there is no need to leave it idle when you return to Europe for a few months. Holiday rental generates a gross annual ROI of 8–12% when managed properly, turning your home into a profitable investment as well as a place to live.