Indonesia (ID)

Bali and beyond — Indonesia is a vast tropical archipelago of 17,000+ islands offering affordable living, extraordinary cultural diversity, world-class nature, and a rapidly growing digital economy that attracts digital nomads, retirees, and professionals from around the globe.

Capital: Jakarta

Region: Asia

Language: Indonesian

Currency: IDR (Rp)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 28)

Emergency: 112

Education & Schools

Schools, universities, and language courses in Indonesia.

👶 Childcare & Kindergarten

Tempat Penitipan Anak (TPA) Rp1,500,000–5,000,000 (Jakarta); Rp800,000–2,500,000 (Bali/other cities)

Age: 0–5 years

Private daycare centres — contact directly. International-standard daycares in Jakarta (Kiddie Kingdom, Little Learners, International Little School) require advance registration. Bring birth certificate, passport/KITAS, and health records.

⏱️ Premium international-standard daycare centres in Pondok Indah, Kemang, and Cipete areas fill up months in advance. Register from the 2nd trimester of pregnancy for top centres.

PAUD (Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini) / TK (Taman Kanak-Kanak) Indonesian public: Rp100,000–500,000/month; Private Indonesian: Rp500,000–2,000,000/month; International preschool: Rp3,000,000–8,000,000/month

Age: 2–6 years

Indonesian-language PAUD/TK: enroll via local neighbourhood with KITAS and birth certificate. International preschools (British School Jakarta Early Years, JISI, Kindermusik centres): contact admissions directly.

⏱️ Top international preschools have 6–12 month waitlists. For public PAUD: enroll in local school year (July), limited places but welcoming to KITAS-holding families.

🏫 Schools

International School (Recommended for Expats) Paid

Sekolah Internasional

Ages: 6–12 years (ages may vary by curriculum) · Language: English (most international schools); some bilingual English-Indonesian options

Apply directly to school with: passport, KITAS, previous school records, immunisation records, and sometimes entry assessment. Applications accepted year-round but September intake most common. SISK (School Identification and Supervision Korea) system for some Korean schools.

Top Jakarta international primary schools: Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS — American curriculum, USD 18,000–25,000/year), British School Jakarta (BSJ — British curriculum, USD 20,000+/year), Gandhi Memorial International School (Indian curriculum, more affordable), SPH International School (Indonesian-international hybrid). Bali: Green School (eco/PYP, USD 10,000–18,000/year), Bali International School (BIS).

International Secondary School Paid

SMP / SMA Internasional

Ages: 12–18 years · Language: English (international schools); Bahasa Indonesia (public schools)

Same international school admissions process. IGCSE and IB Diploma offered at most international schools. Applications require previous transcripts, language assessments, and sometimes interviews.

Indonesian public secondary school (SMP/SMA) is free and accepts KITAS-holding students — instruction in Bahasa Indonesia makes this impractical for most non-Indonesian-speaking expat children. Some families use Indonesian public school to facilitate language learning and cultural integration, with tutoring support.

International Schools

Jakarta has one of Asia's best concentrations of international schools. Top options: Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS — US curriculum, Pondok Indah, founded 1951; 2026/27 fees: IDR 451M–532M/year = approx. USD 28,000–33,000; high school up to ~USD 35,916), British School Jakarta (BSJ — British curriculum, Bintaro; 2026/27 fees approx. USD 17,000–26,000/year), Gandhi Memorial International School (Indian curriculum, Kemayoran, more affordable at USD 4,000–8,000/year), SEK International School Jakarta (Spanish curriculum), BINUS School International (local-international hybrid). Bali: Green School Bali (UNESCO-recognised eco-campus, PYP-IB, Sibang Kaja, USD 10,000–18,000/year), Bali International School (BIS, Sanur, IB curriculum), SISS Sanur Independent School. Most schools offer bus services for students living within defined zones. All international schools require KITAS documentation.

University

Tuition fee

Indonesian state universities: Rp1,000,000–15,000,000/semester for Indonesian students; limited international English-medium programmes. Private universities: Rp5,000,000–35,000,000/semester. BINUS International: Rp45,000,000–70,000,000/year (English medium). Swiss German University: Rp40,000,000–60,000,000/year.

Semester fee

State universities: Rp500,000–3,000,000/semester administrative fees for Indonesian students. International students may pay higher rates.

Student visa

Social/Cultural Visa (B211A) or Student KITAS required for studying. University sponsors student KITAS. Duration matches study programme. Cannot work on student KITAS. Apply at Indonesian embassy before travel or via sponsoring university.

Health insurance

Students must enroll in BPJS Kesehatan or maintain private international health insurance. Student KITAS holders can access BPJS at Class II or III rates.

Application process

State universities: via SNBT (national entrance exam) or university-specific selection. International students: direct application to international affairs office. English-medium programmes limited — most public university courses in Bahasa Indonesia.

🗣️ Language Courses

BIPA Programme (Bahasa Indonesia bagi Penutur Asing)

Provider: Balai Bahasa / Badan Pengembangan dan Pembinaan Bahasa (Kemendikbud) · Duration: 3–6 months per level (A1–C2) · Levels: A1–C2 (CEFR equivalent)

Rp1,000,000–5,000,000 per level (government centres); private providers vary

Official government Indonesian language programme for foreigners. Certification via UKBI (Uji Kemahiran Berbahasa Indonesia — Indonesian Language Proficiency Test). UKBI certification may be required for KITAP applications.

Indonesian Private Language Schools

Provider: EF Education First Indonesia, Lembaga Indonesia Amerika (LIA), various local schools · Duration: Flexible — intensive courses or evening classes · Levels: Beginner to advanced

Rp500,000–3,000,000/month at private language schools

Many expats learn Indonesian very quickly due to simple grammar (no tenses, no gender, Roman alphabet). Online tutors on Italki for USD 5–15/hour are cost-effective.

Premium Section

Education & Schools

Unlock the complete Education & Schools guide for Indonesia — including every detail, document, tip and link you need.

Become a Supporter

Support the guide on Ko-fi · Unlocks every premium section, everywhere