

BALI RELOCATION
The Complete Relocation Guide to Living in Bali
Thinking about making Bali your new home?
Whether you're moving for work, retirement, family, business or simply a better lifestyle, relocating to another country can feel overwhelming.
At Get Bali Visas, we've helped people from all over the world make the move to Indonesia. This guide brings everything together in one place to help you plan your relocation with confidence.
From choosing the right visa to finding accommodation, schools, healthcare and transport, we'll guide you through every step.
Beautiful tropical lifestyle
Incredible beaches
Remote work opportunities
Amazing food
Family friendly communities
Friendly locals
BEFORE YOU MOVE
☐ Choose the right visa
☐ Check passport validity
☐ Arrange health insurance
☐ Book flights
☐ Organise temporary accommodation
☐ Notify your bank
☐ Prepare important documents
☐ Arrange pet transport (if applicable)
☐ Check medication requirements
☐ Prepare an emergency fund
After you arrive Checklist
☐ Register your address
☐ Buy a SIM card
☐ Open a bank account (if eligible)
☐ Arrange transport
☐ Find long-term accommodation
☐ Set up internet
☐ Find a doctor
☐ Explore your local area
☐ Extend your visa (if required)
THE RIGHT VISA
Holiday Makers
Digital Nomads
Families
Retirees
Business Owners
WHERE TO LIVE
You have many options:
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Villas
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Apartments
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Long-term rentals
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Leasehold options
Popular Areas:
CANGGU
Perfect for Digital Nomads & Surf Lovers
Canggu is one of Bali's most popular destinations, known for its relaxed beach lifestyle, world-class surfing, trendy cafés and vibrant coworking spaces. It's a favourite among remote workers, entrepreneurs and young travellers seeking a social atmosphere.
UBUD
The Cultural Heart of Bali
Surrounded by lush rice terraces and tropical jungle, Ubud is famous for its wellness retreats, yoga studios, traditional arts and peaceful lifestyle. It's ideal for families, creatives, retirees and anyone looking for a slower pace of life.
SANUR
Relaxed Coastal Living
Sanur offers calm beaches, beautiful walking paths and a laid-back atmosphere. Popular with retirees, families and long-term residents, it provides excellent restaurants, healthcare facilities and easy access to other parts of Bali.
SEMINYAK
Luxury Living & Beachfront Lifestyle
Seminyak combines stylish beach clubs, boutique shopping, fine dining and luxury villas. It's perfect for travellers who enjoy an upscale lifestyle while remaining close to Bali's famous beaches and vibrant nightlife.
ULUWATU
Spectacular Clifftops & Surf Beaches
Located on Bali's Bukit Peninsula, Uluwatu is renowned for dramatic ocean views, iconic surf breaks and luxury cliffside resorts. It's ideal for surfers, beach lovers and those looking for a quieter, more exclusive lifestyle.
JIMBAREN
Peaceful Family-Friendly Beach Living
Jimbaran is known for its beautiful sunsets, seafood restaurants and safe swimming beaches. With a relaxed atmosphere and close proximity to the airport, it's a popular choice for families, retirees and long-term residents.
Not Sure Which Area Is Right for You?
Every area of Bali offers something unique. Whether you're looking for a lively digital nomad community, a peaceful retirement destination, a family-friendly neighbourhood or the perfect place to start a business, our team can help you choose the area that best suits your lifestyle and relocation goals.
Contact Get Bali Visas via WhatsApp for personalised advice on visas, relocation and settling into your new life in Bali.
This section naturally encourages enquiries while reinforcing your expertise beyond just visa services.
HEALTHCARE
One of the biggest concerns for people relocating overseas is access to quality healthcare. Fortunately, Bali has an excellent range of medical services, from local clinics to internationally accredited hospitals offering modern facilities and English-speaking staff.
Whether you need routine medical care, emergency treatment, dental services or specialist consultations, you'll find plenty of healthcare options across the island.
International Hospitals
Several hospitals in Bali cater specifically to international residents and visitors. Many doctors speak English, and most facilities accept international travel and health insurance.
Some of Bali's most popular hospitals include:
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BIMC Hospital – Kuta & Nusa Dua
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Siloam Hospitals – Denpasar
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Kasih Ibu Hospital
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Bali International Medical Centre
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Prima Medika Hospital
These hospitals offer services such as:
✔ Emergency care
✔ General practitioners (GPs)
✔ Specialist consultations
✔ Surgery
✔ Maternity services
✔ Diagnostic imaging
✔ Physiotherapy
Local Medical Clinics
Throughout Bali you'll also find hundreds of local clinics (known as Klinik).
These are ideal for:
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Minor illnesses
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Prescriptions
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Vaccinations
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Medical certificates
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General health checks
Many clinics are open seven days a week and several provide home visits.
Health Insurance
Although healthcare in Bali is generally much more affordable than many Western countries, we strongly recommend arranging comprehensive health insurance before moving.
A suitable international policy can help cover:
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Hospital treatment
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Specialist consultations
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Surgery
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Emergency medical evacuation
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Prescription medication
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Ongoing treatment
If you're planning a long-term move, choosing the right health insurance is an important part of your relocation planning.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies (Apotek) are widely available throughout Bali and can be found in most towns and shopping areas.
Many common medications are available over the counter, while prescription medications require approval from a local doctor.
Always bring copies of your prescriptions if you regularly take medication.
Emergency Services
If you require urgent medical assistance, Bali has ambulance services and emergency departments located throughout the island.
For serious medical emergencies, international hospitals provide 24-hour emergency care.
It's always a good idea to save the contact details of your nearest hospital after arriving in Bali.
Medical Specialists
If you require ongoing treatment, Bali has specialists in many fields including:
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Cardiology
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Dermatology
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Orthopaedics
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Women's health
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Paediatrics
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Mental health
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Dentistry
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Physiotherapy
Appointments are generally available much sooner than in many other countries.
SCHOOLS
International Schools in Bali
Bali offers a wide range of international schools catering to expatriate families from around the world. Whether you're looking for the International Baccalaureate (IB), British, Australian, Cambridge, Montessori or a more holistic learning approach, there's a school to suit most educational preferences and budgets.
Green School Bali (Near Ubud)
One of Bali's most well-known international schools, Green School is famous for its eco-friendly bamboo campus and project-based learning. Rather than focusing solely on traditional academics, it combines environmental education, creativity and leadership development.
Best for:
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Nature-loving families
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Holistic education
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Creative learners
Bali Island School (Sanur)
Bali Island School is one of Bali's longest-established international schools and offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum from early years through high school.
Best for:
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Families wanting an internationally recognised qualification
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Students planning to attend universities overseas
Canggu Community School (Canggu)
Located in one of Bali's most popular expat areas, Canggu Community School offers a blend of IB, British, and Cambridge programmes in a modern campus.
Best for:
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Digital nomad families
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Families living in Canggu
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Students seeking a global curriculum
Australian Independent School Bali (Denpasar)
Following the Australian curriculum alongside the IB Diploma Programme, AIS Bali is popular with Australian and international families.
Best for:
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Australian expatriates
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Families planning to return to Australia
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International pathways
Dyatmika School (Denpasar)
Dyatmika School combines the Indonesian National Curriculum with Cambridge International education, offering a bilingual environment.
Best for:
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Families wanting both international and local education
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Long-term residents
Sunrise School Bali (Seminyak)
Sunrise School focuses on inquiry-based learning, creativity and small class sizes within a supportive community.
Best for:
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Younger children
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Families seeking personalised education
ProEd Global School (Umalas & Nuanu)
A growing British international school offering education from Early Years through Year 13 with Cambridge pathways.
Best for:
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British curriculum
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Long-term expat families
Spark Bali (Ubud)
Spark Bali offers an international learning environment with IGCSE and A-Level pathways while focusing on innovation and personalised learning.
Best for:
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Older students
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Academic preparation for university
Homeschooling in Bali
Many expatriate families choose to homeschool while living in Bali, allowing greater flexibility to travel, explore the island and tailor education to their child's interests.
Parents can either follow their home country's curriculum or use internationally recognised online education providers. Bali also has a growing homeschool community where families regularly meet for excursions, sports, creative activities and social events.
Popular online homeschool providers include:
Euka Future Learning
Australian curriculum designed for homeschooling families, suitable for students living overseas.
Wolsey Hall Oxford
A respected UK-based online school offering Cambridge curriculum and IGCSE qualifications.
Acellus Academy
An accredited American online school with flexible learning for students worldwide.
Time4Learning
Popular with American homeschool families for primary and middle school education.
CambriLearn
Offers the British and Pearson Edexcel curricula, ideal for internationally mobile families.
Which Option Is Right for Your Family?
Every family has different priorities. Some prefer a structured international school environment with established curricula, while others value the flexibility of homeschooling, allowing children to learn at their own pace and explore Bali as part of their education.
If you're relocating with children, we recommend researching schools early, as some of the most popular international schools have waiting lists and limited enrolment throughout the year.
BRINGING YOUR PETS TO BALI
For many families, pets are an important part of the move. While relocating dogs and cats to Indonesia is possible, the process requires careful planning, paperwork and compliance with Indonesian import regulations.
Because Bali has strict biosecurity rules, we strongly recommend starting the process at least 3–6 months before your planned move and working with an experienced pet relocation specialist.
What You'll Need
Every relocation is different depending on your country of origin, but you'll generally need:
✔ ISO-compliant microchip
✔ Up-to-date vaccinations
✔ Rabies vaccination
✔ Rabies antibody (titre/FAVN) test where required
✔ Veterinary Health Certificate
✔ Import Permit
✔ Airline-approved travel crate
✔ Quarantine arrangements (where applicable)
Import requirements can change, so always confirm the latest rules before booking flights.
Planning Your Timeline
A smooth pet relocation starts well before your departure date.
3–6 Months Before Travel
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Microchip your pet (if not already done)
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Update vaccinations
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Complete any required rabies testing
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Contact a relocation company
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Begin import permit applications
1–2 Months Before Travel
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Book your pet's flight
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Confirm airline requirements
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Arrange quarantine (if required)
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Prepare all documentation
Final Week
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Obtain your veterinary health certificate
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Double-check paperwork
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Confirm flight details
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Prepare your pet for travel
Choosing a Pet Relocation Company
Because Indonesia has detailed import procedures, many families prefer using a specialist relocation company to coordinate the move.
A professional relocation company can usually assist with:
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Import permits
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Veterinary documentation
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Airline cargo bookings
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Customs clearance
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Quarantine coordination
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Ground transportation
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Door-to-door delivery
Helpful Tips Before You Travel
✔ Ensure your pet is comfortable spending time in its travel crate before departure.
✔ Attach identification tags with your international phone number and destination address.
✔ Keep digital and printed copies of all veterinary documents.
✔ Avoid changing your pet's diet immediately before travel.
✔ Speak with your veterinarian about preparing your pet for a long international flight.
Can Get Bali Visas Help?
While we don't transport pets ourselves, we're happy to assist with the relocation side of your move by helping you secure the correct Indonesian visa while you organise your pet's journey.
Moving overseas involves many different steps, and we're here to make your relocation to Bali as smooth and stress-free as possible.