Buying property in Bali as a foreigner, explained simply

Foreigners do not own freehold land in Indonesia. That is the law, and anyone promising you freehold as a foreigner is selling you a problem. What foreigners buy in Bali is leasehold, and done properly it is clean, registered and bankable enough that thousands of owners sleep fine.

What leasehold actually means

A leasehold gives you the exclusive right to a property for a fixed term. On our list today, terms run from 25 years renewable to 50 years. The lease is a notarised agreement, registered against the land. You can live in the home, rent it out, sell the remaining term, or pass it on, within the terms of the contract.

The two numbers that matter are the years remaining and the renewal terms. A 25-year lease with renewal written into the contract at a pre-agreed mechanism is a different product from a 25-year lease with a vague promise. Read the renewal clause before you read anything else.

The structures you will see

• Personal leasehold. The lease is in your name. Simple, common, fine for a home or a single rental unit.
• Leasehold via your own PT PMA. A foreign-owned Indonesian company holds the lease. More setup cost, more ongoing admin, but it is the structure serious developers use for larger commitments. Temple Heights in Padonan, for example, is sold through the buyer's own PT PMA with renewal written into the contract and no nominees.
• Nominee structures. A local holds freehold "for you". We do not sell these and we suggest you walk away when offered one.

What a clean purchase looks like

1. The land certificate is checked by an independent notary, not the seller's.
2. The lease term, renewal clause and permitted use are in writing.
3. The price states exactly what is included. On the better developments the price includes furniture, notary fees and leasehold registration, so nothing is added at handover.
4. Money moves against signed documents, on a written payment schedule.

What it costs

Entry points are lower than most buyers expect. Finished, earning lofts start around USD 120,000 on our list. Off-plan villas in the Canggu area run from USD 170,000 to USD 220,000. Sanur apartments are priced on request. Never more than sixteen listings, so the list is short on purpose. See what is live today.

Questions we hear every week

Can I rent my leasehold villa out? Usually yes, if the contract and the zoning permit it. Check both. Some developments include the first year of rental management in the price.

Can I sell before the lease ends? Yes. You sell the remaining term. A 2048 lease sold in 2030 is an 18-year product, priced accordingly.

Is leasehold safe? A registered lease with a proper notary, a clean certificate and clear renewal terms is a well-trodden path. The failures you read about are almost always nominee freehold arrangements or unregistered deals.

Do I need to be in Bali to buy? No. Most of our buyers complete remotely with a power of attorney to a notary. We walk every unit ourselves and film it for you.

If you want the current list and a straight answer on any of this, message us on WhatsApp. We reply within 4 business hours, Bali time.