Living in Indonesia
Advice for British people moving to or living in Indonesia, including information on health, driving and residence requirements.
This guide sets out essential information for British people moving to or living in Indonesia.
Read about how our embassy in Jakarta and Honorary Consulate in Bali can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Indonesian authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Support for British nationals abroad: a guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.
Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.
To stay up to date: follow the British Embassy Jakarta on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and YouTube.
Before you go
See our travel advice for Indonesia for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
Information on how UK businesses can control risks when operating in Indonesia.
Visa and residency
Check the entry requirements for Indonesia in our travel advice.
Using a visa with the wrong category, or overstaying your visa, can lead to prosecution, potentially resulting in detention and deportation at your own expense.
For detailed information on visa and stay permit requirements please contact the Indonesian Embassy in the country in which you are residing or refer to the Indonesian Immigration Authority.
Passports and travel
Complete the emergency contacts page at the back of your passport. This will help the embassy and local authorities know who to contact in case of an emergency.
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Indonesia.
Check the Indonesia travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in Indonesia
The NHS has information for people moving abroad.
You should buy comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you enter the country.
If you are resident in Indonesia, you should ensure that you have taken out an appropriate health insurance policy. If you are working in Indonesia, check with your employer if health insurance is part of your employment package.
Medical care and access to fully equipped hospitals varies greatly across Indonesia, especially outside of the main tourist areas of Jakarta and Bali. Healthcare is not provided free of charge in Indonesia and medical bills can be high.
There is no reciprocal National Health Service agreement in Indonesia and medical costs are to be borne by the individual. It is essential that you ensure that comprehensive travel insurance is taken out before you travel. Make sure that your policy provides for the following:
- an air ambulance, in case you need to be flown home or to a third country for treatment
- full medical cover (bills can be very expensive)
- bringing the body home, in the event of a death
- bringing your family home, in the event of your illness or injury
If you need emergency medical assistance, you can attend any medical clinic, Hospital Emergency Room or dial 118 for an ambulance.
You can find more detailed information about medical facilities in Indonesia.
We can offer support to you if you are admitted to hospital, but we cannot arrange alternative hospital facilities or treatment, or for you to be transferred to the UK (or elsewhere).
Medicine
If you are on a prescription for any medication you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to obtain it when in Indonesia. Certain medicines may not be available in Indonesia (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Indonesia to find out about any alternative medication.
Indonesian Customs authorities allow you to bring in medication for your personal use provided it is a reasonable amount and is accompanied by the prescription from your doctor. Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines.
Working in Indonesia
All foreign nationals wishing to work in Indonesia are required to have a relevant work permit issued by the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower and a KITAS (Temporary Stay Permit) issued by the Indonesian Immigration authorities. Using a visa with the wrong category for working in Indonesia, or overstaying your visa, can lead to prosecution, potentially resulting in detention and deportation at your own expense.
For detailed information on visa and KITAS requirements please contact the Indonesian Embassy in the country in which you are residing or refer to the Indonesian Immigration Authority.
Studying in Indonesia
If you plan to study in Indonesia, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
Details of the visa types and how to apply are available from the Indonesia Immigration authorities.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Indonesia to check what fees you have to pay.
The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Education and Culture, provides free education at public schools for Indonesian citizens up to the age of 15. For more information on Indonesian education system, please refer to the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture.
Tax
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Indonesia so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Indonesia. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Indonesia.
Read guidance on:
- tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
- tax on your UK income if you live abroad
- tax if you get a pension and live abroad
- paying National Insurance while abroad to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances
Benefits
Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
The Indonesian government does not provide benefits to foreign nationals.
Pensions
If you retire in Indonesia, you can claim your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.
Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.
Armed Forces pensions are not paid automatically. You could be eligible for a pension if you are over 59 years of age and served in the armed forces for more than 2 years. Contact the Veterans’ Gateway for more information.
Life certificates for UK State Pensions
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.
The British embassy and Honorary Consulate in Indonesia do not provide life certificates for British nationals claiming a British pension abroad. Someone in a recognised profession can witness your life certificate if you are claiming State Pension abroad. They do not need to live in the UK, or have a British passport. The list of people who can sign the form are the same as those who can ‘countersign’ a passport photo.
Money and banking
Not all banks in Indonesia accept bank notes issued by Scottish banks.
When opening a local bank account, you may be asked to show your passport and your KITAS.
Money exchanges, commercial money transfer services, e.g. such as Western Union, as well as major financial technology companies, e.g. Wise, can be used to exchange and transfer funds.
Accommodation and buying property
Driving in Indonesia
If you are planning to drive in Indonesia, see general guidance on driving abroad.
You cannot drive using your UK driving licence, you must have either an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an Indonesian national driving licence.
International Driving Permits (IDP) are issued in the UK. British people living in Indonesia who have a limited stay permit card (KITAS) can apply for an Indonesian national driving licence.
Foreign nationals involved in even minor traffic violations or accidents may be vulnerable to extortion. For more information, read our guidance for travelling by road in Indonesia.
If you’re asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (eg the DVLA)
Read guidance on taking your vehicle out of the UK.
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Indonesia, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Voting
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can check if you are able to vote and register as an overseas voter.
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
Births
If your child is born in Indonesia you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate.
If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.
Deaths
If someone dies in Indonesia read our guidance on what to do if someone dies abroad.
Bereavement guidance for Indonesia.
English-speaking funeral directors in Indonesia.
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Emergencies
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Indonesia, read our information for victims of rape and sexual assaults. See also our general guidance for victim of rape and sexual assault abroad.
If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British Embassy Jakarta or Honorary Consulate Bali.
Read the guidance on international parental child abduction if your child may be at risk of this.
Property and property disputes
The Indonesian Land and Property policy now allows foreign nationals to own land or property in Indonesia. For more information on this please consult a lawyer in Indonesia.
Social ethics and traditions
Please refer to our travel advice for further information.
Leaving Indonesia
If you hold a temporary staying permit, known as a KITAS, please ensure that you have an Exit/Re-entry Permit from Indonesian immigration.
People who do not wish to extend their expiring KITAS/KITAP can leave Indonesia without reporting to the Immigration Office, who are currently unable to issue Exit Permit Only (EPOs) and Exit Re-entry Permits (ERPs). EPOs can be applied later to the Immigration Office by the sponsor.
For more information on this, please refer to the Indonesian Immigration Authority.
Returning to the UK
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.
Updates to this page
Last updated 9 October 2024 + show all updates
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Complete redrafting of this guidance, including removal of content related to coronavirus.
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines.
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Update on contents, including COVID-19 related information.
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Updated.
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Updated.
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Revise the links on the article.
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First published.