Foreign Buyer Guide · Bali

Buying in Bali, made plain.

A plain-English guide to buying a Shakiro villa as a foreign investor — ownership options, payment flow, taxes, documents and rental handover.

Quick note — this is buyer education only. Final tax, title and structure should be confirmed with an Indonesian notary/PPAT, tax advisor and legal counsel before signing.
Buyer journey
8 steps
Ownership routes
3
Notary / legal
1–2.5%
Acquisition tax
~5%
I · Ownership · Foreign buyer structures

Three ways foreigners legally hold property in Bali.

Indonesian law restricts freehold (Hak Milik) to citizens, so foreign buyers use one of these three routes. Leasehold is the most common.

i.

Leasehold · Hak Sewa

Best for · most lifestyle buyers & rental investors

You lease the villa and land for a fixed period, often with extension terms written into the agreement. Common in Bali and usually simpler than company ownership.

ii.

Hak Pakai · Right to Use

Best for · qualifying foreign individuals

A regulated right for foreigners to use property for a period of time, subject to eligibility requirements and local legal checks.

iii.

PT PMA + HGB

Best for · larger or commercial investors

A foreign-owned Indonesian company can hold certain building rights. More formal and more admin — usually only worth it for larger or multi-property plans.

II · The process · Eight steps

The buyer journey, in eight clear steps.

Every stage is documented in writing, and nothing moves until the one before it is signed off.

01 · Choose

Choose villa + structure

Confirm the unit, price, included furniture and finishes, lease term, extension rights, and whether you buy personally or through a company.

02 · Reserve

Reserve the villa

Pay a reservation deposit only after clear written terms: price, payment milestones, inclusions, refund conditions and target handover.

03 · Diligence

Legal due diligence

Notary or lawyer checks land title, lease rights, permits and building documents, seller authority, taxes, and that the lease or transfer can execute cleanly.

04 · Sign

Sign SPA / lease

The agreement defines the payment schedule, completion standard, handover conditions, warranties, management options and resale or assignment rights.

05 · Transfer

Transfer funds

You wire funds internationally. Banks may request source-of-funds documents and agreement support, so plan extra processing time.

06 · Notary

Notary + tax settlement

The notary coordinates signing and required tax and fee settlement. Exact taxes depend on structure, property value and local rules.

07 · Handover

Handover inspection

You receive keys after a final inspection, snagging list, documents, meter readings, furniture inventory and operating instructions.

08 · Rental

Rental setup (optional)

Property management prepares photos, listings, pricing, guest operations, monthly reports, maintenance and the owner payout flow.

Want this walked through against a specific villa and timeline? Kara will take you through it directly.

Book a call See the villas
III · Costs · What to budget for

What to budget for, beyond the price.

Exact costs depend on whether you use leasehold, Hak Pakai or a PT PMA structure. These are planning ranges only — your notary confirms the final closing statement before any funds are sent.

i.

Reservation deposit

Agreed case-by-case

Should be credited toward the purchase price and documented in writing.

ii.

Notary / legal fees

Often 1–2.5%

Varies with deal complexity and whether bilingual agreements, remote signing or a company structure are involved.

iii.

BPHTB acquisition tax

~5% of taxable value

Commonly applies to the acquisition of land or building rights; exact base and threshold depend on local rules and structure.

iv.

Foreign transfer / FX

Bank + FX spread

Ask your bank about transfer limits, required documentation, timing and the exchange rate before you send.

v.

Property management setup

Optional

Listing prep, photos, inventory, consumables, smart locks, linens and operational setup may be quoted separately.

IV · Documents · What you may be asked for

The paperwork, grouped simply.

i.

Always

  • Passport
  • Contact details
  • Tax residency information
ii.

If it applies to you

  • Source-of-funds documents, if requested by the bank or notary
  • Company documents, if buying through a company
  • Power of Attorney, if signing remotely
V · FAQ · Questions buyers ask

The questions that come up first.

No. Foreigners generally cannot hold Hak Milik (freehold) land directly. Foreign buyers usually use leasehold, Hak Pakai, or a PT PMA / HGB structure.
Often yes, with a properly drafted Power of Attorney and verified identity documents. Confirm the remote-signing process with the notary before you rely on it.
Usually yes, if the legal structure, local licensing and property-management setup support rental use. Confirm rental permissions and tax treatment before relying on projected income.
A strong agreement includes a handover checklist, a defects and snagging process, a document list, warranty terms, and a clear contact point for maintenance.

Talk it through before you transfer a cent.

Book a 30-minute call with Kara, then send your preferred structure to an independent Indonesian notary or lawyer for review before moving major funds.

WhatsApp +1 775 247 2798@shakirovillasReplies within 24 hours

This guide is general buyer education, not legal, tax or financial advice. Sources used for general education include the Propertia 2026 Bali foreign-buyer guide, Grata International, Cekindo and Bali Property Rules. Always confirm your specific situation with a licensed Indonesian notary/PPAT, tax advisor and legal counsel.

Foreign buyer guide Ownership · Costs · Process
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