Moving to Bali with your family requires careful planning. At Tipi Estate, we've helped countless families navigate this transition. Here's your essential guide.
1. Define Your Setup and Budget
Start by clarifying your family's needs and financial framework before diving into logistics. Consider your family composition, children's ages, work situation, and monthly budget.
Location preference matters significantly. Do you envision beachfront living in Canggu, jungle tranquility in Ubud, or the family-friendly atmosphere of Sanur? Think about how often you'll travel back home and whether you're planning a trial year or a permanent move.
Comfortable family living in Bali costs more than many expect when you factor in international schools, quality housing, and healthcare.
Checklist:
- ☐ Define family needs, work situation, and location preferences
- ☐ Download budgeting tool and create realistic monthly expense plan
- ☐ Decide on timeline (trial year vs. long-term commitment)
Estimated Budget: $0 (planning phase)
2. Visa Requirements
Choosing the right visa is crucial for a stress-free stay in Bali.
For families testing the waters, the B211A visa grants you 60 days initially, extendable up to 180 days total. You'll need to exit Indonesia every 6 months for a border run. Cost runs approximately $150-250 per person.
For long-term commitment, the KITAS (Limited Stay Permit) offers more stability. Valid for 1-2 years and renewable, it eliminates border runs and allows you to open Indonesian bank accounts. It requires sponsorship and processing takes 4-8 weeks.
Start your visa application at least 2-3 months before your planned move and work with reputable legal agencies.
Checklist:
- ☐ Choose between B211A (trial) or KITAS (long-term) based on commitment level
- ☐ Start visa applications 2-3 months before departure
- ☐ Arrange legal agency support through Tipi Estate referrals
Estimated Budget: $150-250 per person (B211A) or $500-1,500 per person (KITAS setup)
Contact Tipi Estate for Visa Agency recommendations. We can get you advantageous rates with the best agencies.
3. Housing
Finding the right home is the most important decision for your family's happiness in Bali. The top family-friendly areas each offer unique advantages. Canggu, Umalas, and Kerobokan on the west coast provide beach access, proximity to international schools like Green School and Bali Island School, and a vibrant expat community with trendy cafes and rice field views. Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali in the central jungle area, offers cooler temperatures, nature-focused lifestyle, and a strong wellness community. Sanur on the east coast features calm beaches ideal for young children, a family-friendly atmosphere, and proximity to an international hospital. Uluwatu on the south coast is an emerging family destination with stunning clifftop views, though it's best suited for older children or adventurous families.
Deciding whether to rent or buy depends on your commitment level. Rent if you're doing a trial year, still exploring neighborhoods, or want flexibility. Buy if you're committed to staying 5+ years, want to build equity, and can afford freehold property for the best long-term investment. Look for homes with at least 3 bedrooms, a garden or outdoor play space, a pool with safety fencing for young kids, and proximity to schools. Security features, parking space, and adequate storage are essential too.
Most families in Bali employ household staff including housekeepers, gardeners, and nannies. This is common practice and affordable, with full-time help costing around Rp 2-4 million monthly (approximately $125-250 USD). Tipi Estate specializes in helping families find their ideal home, whether you're looking to purchase a dream villa or need guidance on the rental market.
Checklist:
- ☐ Research and visit preferred neighborhoods (Canggu, Ubud, Sanur, or Uluwatu)
- ☐ Decide rent vs. buy based on commitment timeline
- ☐ Schedule property tours with Tipi Estate for personalized guidance
Estimated Budget: $800-2,500/month (rental) or $150,000-500,000+ (purchase)
At Tipi Estate, we specialize in helping families find their dream home on the Island of Gods. Contact us for a first consultation or check out or selection of top family villas in Bali here.
4. Insurance Coverage
Protecting your family and assets is non-negotiable when living abroad.
Health insurance is absolutely essential. Indonesian healthcare for serious conditions often requires expensive evacuation to Singapore or your home country. You need minimum $500,000 medical coverage including emergency evacuation, pre-existing conditions, maternity, dental, and outpatient care.
Property insurance becomes essential if you purchase a home, covering fire, natural disasters, theft, and liability. It's surprisingly affordable at around $200-500 annually.
Vehicle insurance is mandatory if financing and important regardless—accidents are common in Bali. Motorbike insurance runs about $50-150 annually while car insurance costs $300-800 annually.
Checklist:
- ☐ Secure comprehensive health insurance with $500K+ coverage and evacuation
- ☐ Arrange property insurance if purchasing real estate
- ☐ Get vehicle insurance for any motorbikes or cars
Estimated Budget: $2,000-6,000/year (health) + $200-500/year (property) + $50-800/year (vehicles)
5. Transportation
Getting around Bali efficiently and safely requires planning.
Motorbikes are the most efficient way to navigate traffic at $600-1,500 to purchase or $50-100 monthly to rent. However, they present safety concerns with children and aren't practical in heavy rain.
Cars provide a safer option for families, offering comfort for school runs and protection from weather. The downside is traffic frustration and higher costs at $8,000-20,000 to purchase or $300-500 monthly to rent.
Getting an International Driving Permit before you leave is critical—it's legally required and insurance won't cover accidents without it. Apply through your country's auto association for approximately $20-50.
Many families hire a driver at $300-600 monthly for part-time to full-time service.
Checklist:
- ☐ Obtain International Driving Permit from home country before departure
- ☐ Decide vehicle needs (motorbike, car, or driver service)
- ☐ Budget for purchase or monthly rental based on timeline
Estimated Budget: $50-500/month (rental) or $600-20,000 (purchase) + $20-50 (IDP)
6. Education
Bali offers excellent educational options for expat families.
Top international schools include Green School (Ubud), Bali Island School (Sanur), Canggu Community School, and Dyatmika School (Sanur). Tuition costs range from $5,000 to $25,000+ annually depending on school and grade level.
Application timing is crucial—start 6-12 months early as spaces fill quickly. Schedule campus visits during your scouting trip and factor in commute times since traffic can add 30-60 minutes.
Alternatives include local Balinese schools for cultural immersion at a fraction of the cost, or homeschooling with Bali's active expat homeschool community.
Checklist:
- ☐ Research and visit international schools matching your curriculum preferences
- ☐ Submit applications 6-12 months before intended start date
- ☐ Factor school location into housing decisions for commute times
Estimated Budget: $5,000-25,000+ per child per year (international schools)
Check out our latest article on the best International Schools in Bali here.
7. Employment and Income
Understanding your work situation is fundamental to sustainable Bali living.
Remote work is the most common approach for expat families. Ensure stable internet access (fiber available in main areas), factor in time zone differences, and take advantage of co-working spaces.
Starting a business opens opportunities in hospitality, tourism, real estate, and wellness. However, this requires entrepreneurial mindset, significant capital ($10,000+ setup), and navigating Indonesian regulations.
Finding local employment as a foreigner is challenging. Indonesian law prioritizes local workers and salaries are lower than Western countries. Realistic sectors include hospitality management, real estate, teaching, and tech startups.
Best approach: secure remote work or sufficient savings before moving.
Checklist:
- ☐ Secure remote work arrangement or sufficient savings before moving
- ☐ Research business setup requirements if planning entrepreneurial venture
- ☐ Network within expat community for employment connections if needed
Estimated Budget: $0 (remote work) or $3,000-10,000+ (business setup costs)
8. Bringing Pets
Many families want to bring their beloved pets along.
Import requirements include an ISO-compliant microchip, rabies vaccination (30+ days before travel), health certificate from your veterinarian, and import permit from Indonesian quarantine office. Start the process 3-4 months before your move as paperwork takes time.
Typically there's no quarantine if paperwork is in order, though airport clearance can take 2-6 hours.
Pet life in Bali has pros (outdoor lifestyle, beach walks, good vet care at 50-70% lower costs) and cons (tropical heat, parasites, limited pet-friendly rentals). Consider using specialized pet relocation services for stress-free transport.
Checklist:
- ☐ Start pet import paperwork process 3-4 months before move
- ☐ Secure required microchip, vaccinations, and health certificates
- ☐ Consider specialized pet relocation service for stress-free transport
Estimated Budget: $500-2,000 (documentation, transport, and relocation services)
9. Daily Essentials
Small details make daily life smoother in Bali.
For mobile connectivity, get an Indonesian SIM card from Telkomsel (best coverage) for Rp 50,000-150,000 monthly. You'll need your passport for registration. Home internet fiber is available in main areas with 100+ Mbps speeds, with installation taking 1-2 weeks.
Keep your home country bank account active and use services like Wise for the best exchange rates. Indonesian bank accounts are easier with KITAS.
Joining local communities is essential—Facebook groups and WhatsApp communities provide tips on everything from pediatricians to school recommendations, house staff, and social connections.
Essential apps: Gojek and Grab (transport/delivery), Google Maps, WhatsApp, and Wise.
Checklist:
- ☐ Set up Indonesian SIM card upon arrival
- ☐ Keep home bank account active and set up Wise for transfers
- ☐ Join key Facebook and WhatsApp community groups for support
Estimated Budget: $20-50/month (mobile and internet)
10. The Test Year Approach
Our recommended strategy after helping dozens of families: try Bali for one year before committing.
Before Committing:
- Request sabbatical from employer
- Rent (don't buy) for 12 months
- Use B211A visa
- Rent vehicles
- Ship only essentials
Why It Works:
- Experience full year including seasons
- See how children adjust
- Understand true costs
- Test community fit
- Keep options open
After 12 Months: You'll know if Bali is right. If yes, purchase property, upgrade to KITAS, and invest deeper. If no, return home without major losses.
Checklist:
- ☐ Arrange sabbatical or flexible work arrangement for trial year
- ☐ Commit to renting and using flexible visa for first 12 months
- ☐ Evaluate experience thoroughly before making permanent commitments
Estimated Budget: Minimal upfront commitment, evaluate total costs during trial year
Download our Printable Checklist
Ready to Start Your Journey?
At Tipi Estate, we help families transition smoothly to Bali life. We offer personalized property tours, honest neighborhood and school guidance, trusted service provider connections, realistic budgeting support, and post-move community introductions.
