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

Healthcare in Indonesia

Indonesia operates a mixed healthcare system combining universal public insurance (BPJS Kesehatan / JKN — Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional) with a substantial private healthcare sector. JKN was launched in 2014 and by 2026 covers 92% of the population (approximately 256 million people) — one of the world's largest single-payer health programmes. Quality varies dramatically between Jakarta/Bali private hospitals (international standard) and rural public facilities (significantly below). KITAS holders are legally required to enroll in BPJS Kesehatan. Expats in Jakarta and Bali generally maintain both BPJS and private international insurance for comprehensive coverage.

Indonesia ranks 101st out of 167 countries in the Legatum Prosperity Index healthcare pillar (2025). Private hospitals in Jakarta and Bali meet international standards. Siloam Hospitals group and RS Pondok Indah are internationally accredited (JCI). Public hospitals (RSUD) significantly below international standards — queues can be 4–8 hours. Rural healthcare severely limited.

Public healthcare: BPJS Kesehatan (JKN)

Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial Kesehatan — National Health Insurance Programme

Eligibility:Mandatory for all Indonesian citizens and legal foreign residents (KITAS/KITAP holders). Self-enrollment available for non-employed residents. Employed KITAS holders enrolled automatically by employer.

Monthly cost:Employed: 4% employer + 1% employee of gross salary (capped at 12× UMP). Self-enrolled Class I: Rp150,000/person/month. Class II: Rp100,000/person/month. Class III: Rp35,000/person/month (partially government-subsidised).

What's included:

GP (general practitioner) consultations at registered FKTP (primary health facilities — Puskesmas or clinics)
Specialist consultations (by referral from GP)
Inpatient hospital care at registered hospitals (according to class)
Surgery (most elective and emergency procedures)
Delivery and maternal care
Mental health inpatient care at registered hospitals
Dialysis treatment (3 sessions/week)
Cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Cardiac procedures including heart surgery
Dental: extractions and fillings (basic)
Optical: basic glasses every 2 years
Most laboratory tests when referred through BPJS system

Not included (or co-pay required):

Elective cosmetic procedures
Most dental (orthodontics, implants, crowns, prosthetics)
Fertility treatments (IVF, IUI)
Most imported/branded medications (generic substituted)
Injuries from sports or activities
Traditional and alternative medicine (homeopathy, acupuncture)
Overseas medical treatment
Health supplements and vitamins
Medical check-up/health screening
Experimental treatments and clinical trials

Co-payments:Class I patients: Rp20,000–80,000 copayment for certain specialist visits. Class II and III: minimal or no copayment for in-system services. However, strict referral pathway required — cannot self-refer to specialist without GP referral letter (except emergencies). Using BPJS at non-registered facility: not covered.

How to enrol:Employed KITAS holders: employer registers with BPJS Ketenagakerjaan which links to BPJS Kesehatan enrollment. Self-enrollment: visit BPJS Kesehatan office with passport, KITAS, and local address proof. Online enrollment: bpjs-kesehatan.go.id or Mobile JKN app. Choose registered primary care facility (faskes tingkat 1) — Puskesmas or BPJS-contracted private clinic near your residence.

Waiting period:14 days waiting period for new self-enrolled members (Class I and II) before coverage activates for non-emergency hospitalisation. No waiting period for employed enrollment or emergency cases.

Private healthcare: Private Health Insurance

Who can use it:Open to all — no residency requirements for most private insurers

When it makes sense:Strongly advised for all expats as complement to BPJS. Private insurance gives direct access to premium hospitals without referral queues, English-speaking doctors, private rooms, and coverage for excluded items. Particularly important for international standard hospital access, medical evacuation, and dental/optical coverage.

Monthly cost:Rp800,000–3,000,000/person/month for international-standard plans. Lower for local private insurance (AIA, Prudential, Allianz Indonesia).

Major providers:

Pacific Cross International (popular with expats, medical evacuation included)AXA Mandiri (Indonesian-international joint venture)Cigna IndonesiaAIA IndonesiaPrudential IndonesiaAllianz IndonesiaAsuransi Sinarmas MSIGBUPA Global (international plan for high earners)

Accessing care

GP system

BPJS system: Must register with a primary care facility (FKTP — faskes tingkat 1): Puskesmas (community health centre — public, free) or BPJS-contracted private clinic. All non-emergency specialist care must be accessed via GP referral. Private: walk-in to private clinics or hospitals without referral required. Halodoc and Alodokter telemedicine apps: GP consultation via video call from Rp75,000–150,000, prescriptions issued digitally.

Specialist referral

BPJS: GP issues surat rujukan (referral letter) valid for 90 days, directing to specific hospital and specialist. Specialist appointment booked via BPJS Antrian (queue system) — JKN Mobile app. Waiting times: 3–14 days for non-urgent specialists. Private: direct booking with specialist at Siloam, Pondok Indah, BIMC — same day or next day typically available.

Emergency care

24-hour emergency rooms (UGD/IGD) at all hospitals — BPJS covers emergency without referral at ANY registered hospital nationwide. Private: BIMC Kuta (Bali), Siloam Emergency (Jakarta), Pondok Indah Emergency. Call 118/119 for ambulance. GoJek or Bluebird taxi often faster for hospital transport in Jakarta.

Out of hours

No formal out-of-hours GP system like European countries. 24-hour private hospital emergency rooms serve after-hours acute needs. Halodoc and Alodokter telemedicine apps operate 24/7 — video consultation Rp75,000–150,000. Some private clinics open until 21:00–22:00.

Prescriptions

BPJS: prescriptions filled at formulary pharmacies (apotek) within the BPJS network — generic medications only. Private: doctor issues recipe (resep) accepted at any licensed pharmacy (Apotek K24, Kimia Farma, Guardian). Controlled substances require special prescription (Narkotika/Psikotropika prescription). Common OTC medications available without prescription at pharmacies and Indomaret/Alfamart.

Dental

BPJS covers: basic dental examinations, tooth extractions, and basic fillings. BPJS DOES NOT cover: implants, orthodontics, crowns, bridges, professional whitening. Private dental: consultation Rp150,000–350,000; filling Rp300,000–600,000; implant Rp8,000,000–20,000,000. Bali Dental Clinic and SMDCC Jakarta are recommended for expats.

Mental health

BPJS covers mental health inpatient care at designated hospitals (RSJ Grogol, RSJ Menur Surabaya, RSJ Bangli Bali). Outpatient psychiatric consultation via referral. Private: growing mental health clinic scene in Jakarta (INTO Clinic, Yayasan Pulih, Brawijaya Clinic). English-speaking therapists increasingly available in Jakarta and Bali. Online therapy: Into The Light Indonesia (free crisis line 119 ext 8), Kalm app, YesDok.

Maternity

BPJS covers: prenatal check-ups (10 visits), delivery (normal birth — Rp900,000 fee covered; caesarean covered at BPJS hospital), postnatal care. Private: comprehensive maternity packages at Siloam, Pondok Indah, Brawijaya Women and Children Hospital. Normal birth private: Rp15,000,000–40,000,000. Caesarean private: Rp30,000,000–80,000,000. Bumi Sehat in Ubud (Bali) offers natural birth midwifery services popular with expats.

Expat-specific advice

First steps on arrival:

Enroll in BPJS Kesehatan immediately upon receiving KITAS — employer should initiate this; if self-employed or on non-working visa, enroll directly at BPJS office
Register with a primary care FKTP (Puskesmas or BPJS-contracted clinic) near your residence — required to activate BPJS referral system
Purchase private international health insurance before or immediately upon arrival — do not rely solely on BPJS for initial period or for private hospital access
Identify nearest 24-hour private hospital to your home — save address and emergency number in your phone before you need it
Download Mobile JKN app for BPJS card management, referral tracking, and appointment booking
Download Halodoc and Alodokter apps for 24/7 telemedicine GP access without waiting

Finding English-speaking doctors:English-speaking doctors available at major private hospitals: RS Pondok Indah (South Jakarta), RS Siloam Kebon Jeruk and Semanggi (Jakarta), BIMC Kuta and Nusa Dua (Bali), Siloam Hospitals Bali, Raffles Medical Jakarta. Many Indonesian doctors trained abroad (Australia, Netherlands, USA) speak excellent English. Puskesmas (public): English-speaking staff rare — bring translator. Halodoc app: filter English-speaking doctors.

International insurance:International health insurance with medical evacuation coverage strongly recommended for all expats. Standard international plans: Pacific Cross, AXA Global Healthcare, Cigna Global, BUPA Global. Regional plans: Pacific Cross Indonesia, AIA Indonesia. Ensure plan covers: medical evacuation (Rp150,000,000–500,000,000 cost for air evacuation to Singapore), inpatient at international hospitals in Indonesia, and repatriation of remains. Verify whether your employer provides international health insurance — many multinationals do.

Emergency card info:Carry in wallet: BPJS Kesehatan card number, private insurance emergency number, name of preferred hospital, blood type and allergies, emergency contact (Indonesian mobile number). Emergency: 112 (universal), 118 (ambulance). In Bali: BIMC emergency +62-361-761-263. In Jakarta: Pondok Indah Emergency +62-21-7657-525. Siloam emergency numbers vary by location.

EHIC notes:Indonesia does not have an EHIC equivalent. No reciprocal health agreements with most countries. EU/UK EHIC cards not valid in Indonesia. Always maintain private international insurance before travel and for entire stay.

Pharmacies (Apotek)

Hours:Standard apotek: 08:00–21:00 daily. Apotek K24: open 24 hours, 7 days (multiple locations in Jakarta and Bali). Kimia Farma: some 24-hour locations. Indomaret and Alfamart convenience stores: basic OTC medications 24/7.

After-hours / emergency:Apotek K24 is the main 24-hour pharmacy chain in Indonesia — named for 24-hour availability. Multiple branches in Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, and Bali. Call 1500-235 for nearest K24 location.

Prescription rules:Prescription (resep) required for: antibiotics, controlled substances, hormonal treatments, psychiatric medications, and higher-schedule medications. OTC (bebas/bebas terbatas): paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines, antacids, cough medicine, topical treatments — available without prescription. Narkotika (narcotics): strict prescription with doctor's stamp — only available at designated apoteks. Bring prescription from home country: Indonesian pharmacist may or may not accept foreign prescriptions — bring sufficient supply of any prescription medication.

Available over-the-counter:

Panadol / Tempra (paracetamol)
Ibuprofen (Proris, Advil Indonesia)
Antangin / Tolak Angin (traditional Indonesian herbal digestive/immunity tonic)
Antimo (anti-motion sickness — very popular)
Bodrex (cold and flu combination)
OraLite (oral rehydration salts — essential in tropical heat)
Otozambon (ear infection drops)
Betadine antiseptic
Folamil / prenatal vitamins
Mosquito repellent (Autan, OFF! Indonesia)
Panadol Flu & Cold
Lacto-B probiotics
Immodium (loperamide) for traveller's diarrhoea

Typical costs

GP visit (with insurance)	Rp0–100,000 (BPJS); Rp50,000–150,000 copay (private insurance)
GP visit (private pay)	Rp100,000–250,000 (private clinic)
Specialist visit	Rp300,000–800,000 (private); Rp0 via BPJS referral system
Emergency visit	Rp500,000–2,000,000 consultation at private international hospital (before treatment costs)
MRI scan	Rp2,000,000–5,000,000 (private hospital)
Prescription average	Rp50,000–300,000 per course of antibiotics at private apotek
Dental check-up	Rp150,000–350,000 (private); Rp0 (BPJS for basic exam)
Baby delivery	Rp15,000,000–80,000,000 (private, depending on hospital and type); Rp0–2,000,000 (BPJS)

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