The answer hub
Investment guides
Straight answers to the questions foreign investors actually ask about Indonesian island property — sourced, dated, and free of guaranteed-return hype.
Bali & Gili Islands Property Investment for Foreigners (2026): The Complete Guide
How foreigners legally invest in Bali and Gili Islands property in 2026: the three ownership routes, the buying process, realistic net yields and taxes.
Can Foreigners Buy Property in Indonesia? PT PMA vs Leasehold vs Hak Pakai (2026)
Freehold is reserved for Indonesian citizens, but three legal routes work for foreigners: leasehold, Hak Pakai and a PT PMA holding HGB title. Compared.
Is the Nominee Structure Safe for Buying Property in Indonesia? (Honest Answer: No)
Indonesian courts have voided nominee arrangements, leaving foreign buyers exposed. What the law says, how these deals fail, and the two routes that work.
Realistic Rental Yields in Bali & the Gili Islands: Gross vs Net (2026)
Marketed 15–20% yields are gross. Follow the deduction waterfall — commissions, management, running costs, the 10% rental tax — to a realistic net figure.
Buying Off-Plan Property in Indonesia: Process, Risks and Due-Diligence Checklist
Off-plan buying in Indonesia: reservation, notarised agreement, milestone payments, handover — plus the due-diligence checks and red flags that stop a deal.
Property Taxes in Indonesia for Foreign Investors: What You Pay at Every Stage (2026)
Indonesian property tax stage by stage: 5% BPHTB at purchase, annual PBB, 10% final tax on gross rent, the PT PMA layer, and the seller's 2.5% at exit.
Build Costs: Gili Islands vs Bali — Why the Boat Adds a Premium
Why a villa on Gili Trawangan costs more to build than the same one in Bali: boat freight, no machinery, utilities you build — and how to check a quote.
Bali vs Lombok vs the Gili Islands: Where Should Foreigners Invest? (2026)
Bali's depth, Lombok's Mandalika momentum or Gili scarcity? A nine-factor 2026 comparison for foreign property investors, with guidance by investor profile.
Gili Trawangan Property Investment Guide (2026)
What investing on Gili Trawangan really involves: leasehold-only land, boat-borne build costs, island utilities, seismic risk and rental licensing.
Rental Licensing for Villas in Indonesia: Pondok Wisata, PBG & SLF Explained
The NIB, pondok wisata licence, PBG, SLF and NPWP a short-stay villa rental in Indonesia legally needs — and what operating without them costs.
Exit Strategy for Indonesian Island Property: How Leasehold Resale and PT PMA Exits Actually Work
How to sell island property in Indonesia: assigning a leasehold's remaining years, PT PMA share versus asset sale, exit taxes and realistic timelines.
Indonesian Property Terms Every Foreign Investor Should Know
Plain-English definitions of the Indonesian property terms foreign investors meet — from Hak Milik and HGB to PT PMA, pondok wisata, BPHTB and AJB.
This page is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Projected returns are modelled on stated assumptions and are not guaranteed; property values and rental income can fall as well as rise. Verify current rules with a licensed Indonesian notary (notaris/PPAT) or independent advisor before committing funds.