Bali's New Financial Requirements: What Digital Nomads Need to Know in 2026

Bali is tightening the rules. Governor Wayan Koster has proposed requiring all foreign visitors to prove they have enough savings before entering the island, potentially by submitting three months of bank statements. If you are a digital nomad planning to base yourself in Bali in 2026, here is what you need to know, what is confirmed, what is still rumor, and how to prepare.

What Bali Is Proposing

In early 2026, Governor Koster announced plans to check the financial status of all foreigners arriving in Bali. The proposal is part of what officials call a "quality tourism" push, aimed at discouraging low budget travelers and protecting Bali's infrastructure and cultural sites from overtourism.

The requirement would apply broadly. Tourists on eVisa on Arrival, KITAS holders (temporary stay permits), and KITAP holders (permanent stay permits) could all be asked to show proof of funds. Alongside bank statements, travelers may also need to provide their length of stay, a return ticket, and a basic outline of planned activities.

Indonesia's Tourism Minister Widiyanti Wardhana has backed the idea publicly, lending it significant political weight. Governor Koster framed it as a matter of fairness: "This is to ensure everything is under control, just like when we Indonesians travel to other countries."

What Is Actually Confirmed (and What Is Not)

Here is where things get complicated. As of March 2026, no law or regulation has been passed. The proposal still needs approval from Bali's regional legislature, and several key questions remain unanswered.

Confirmed:

• Governor Koster has publicly announced the plan
• Indonesia's Tourism Minister supports it
• The idea involves showing three months of bank statements
• It could apply to eVisa on Arrival, KITAS, and KITAP holders

Not confirmed:

• No specific savings threshold has been announced
• No timeline for legislative approval
• No details on how it would be enforced at airports or ports
• Unclear whether a provincial government can add requirements on top of national immigration rules

That last point is critical. Immigration in Indonesia is handled at the national level. Bali Senator Agung Bagus Prastiksa Linggih has raised questions about whether the provincial government has the legal authority to impose extra financial checks after a visa has already been approved by national immigration.

Why Bali Is Doing This

This is not happening in a vacuum. Bali has been dealing with a wave of "budget nomad" criticism for years. Stories about foreigners living on shoestring budgets, skipping the tourism tax, and contributing little to the local economy have built political pressure to act.

The existing Bali Tourism Tax of IDR 150,000 (roughly $9 USD) per foreign visitor was introduced to fund cultural preservation and environmental projects. But enforcement has been inconsistent, and critics argue it has not done enough to filter out low spending visitors.

Other countries have taken similar steps. Thailand has discussed minimum daily spending requirements for long stay visitors. Several Caribbean nations with digital nomad visas already require proof of income (often $50,000 to $75,000 per year) as part of the application process. Bali's proposal fits into a broader global trend of destinations trying to attract higher value visitors.

How This Affects Digital Nomads Specifically

If you are working remotely from Bali, you are almost certainly affected. Most digital nomads enter Indonesia on one of these visa types:

B211A Business Visa (most common for nomads): This is a 60 day visa, extendable up to 180 days. It costs around $120 to $200 depending on the agent. If the new rules pass, you would likely need to show bank statements when applying or upon arrival.

eVisa on Arrival: Good for 30 days, extendable once for another 30 days. Costs about $35. This is explicitly mentioned in the proposal.

Second Home Visa (D2C2): For those planning longer stays (five to ten years), this visa already requires proof of significant funds, a minimum of IDR 2 billion (roughly $130,000 USD) in a local bank account or proof of property ownership. The new rules would add another layer.

KITAS/KITAP: If you have a sponsored work permit or are married to an Indonesian citizen, these permits are also named in the proposal.

The practical impact depends entirely on what threshold Bali sets. If they ask for $2,000 to $3,000 in savings, most working professionals will not notice. If they push for $10,000 or more, it could filter out a meaningful chunk of the nomad community.

Current Cost of Living in Bali (2026)

To understand why the financial requirements matter, it helps to know what Bali actually costs these days.

Housing: A furnished one bedroom apartment runs IDR 5 to 10 million per month ($310 to $625 USD) in areas like Canggu or Ubud. Nicer villas with pools start around IDR 15 million ($935 USD). For finding furnished monthly apartments, check Rent Remote's listings to compare options.

Food: A meal at a local warung costs IDR 25,000 to 45,000 ($1.50 to $2.80). A meal at a Western style restaurant runs IDR 100,000 to 200,000 ($6 to $12.50). Groceries for a week cost around IDR 500,000 to 800,000 ($31 to $50).

Coworking: Bali has dozens of coworking spaces. Popular options include Dojo Bali in Canggu (from $150/month), Outpost in Ubud and Canggu (from $180/month), and Hubud in Ubud (from $120/month). Day passes typically cost $10 to $20.

Transport: A scooter rental costs IDR 700,000 to 1,200,000 per month ($43 to $75). Grab rides across Canggu cost IDR 20,000 to 40,000 ($1.25 to $2.50).

Internet: Most cafes and coworking spaces offer 50 to 100 Mbps. Home fiber from providers like IndiHome or Biznet runs IDR 300,000 to 500,000 per month ($19 to $31). Reliability has improved significantly over the past two years, especially in Canggu and Ubud where nomad demand has driven infrastructure upgrades.

Health: A visit to a private clinic costs IDR 200,000 to 500,000 ($12 to $31). BIMC Hospital in Kuta is the go to for expats. Travel insurance or international health insurance is strongly recommended, as Indonesia's public healthcare system is not set up for foreign visitors.

Total monthly budget: A comfortable digital nomad lifestyle in Bali runs $1,200 to $2,000 per month. Budget nomads can manage on $800 to $1,000, but that is exactly the demographic Bali seems to be targeting.

Best Areas for Remote Workers

Canggu remains the default nomad hub. It has the highest concentration of coworking spaces, cafes with good WiFi, and a social scene built around remote workers. The downside: it has gotten expensive and crowded compared to five years ago. Traffic on the main roads can be rough, especially during rush hours.

Ubud is the quieter alternative. It is inland, surrounded by rice terraces and jungle, and attracts a more wellness oriented crowd. Coworking options are solid (Hubud and Outpost both have locations here). The pace is slower, which is either a feature or a bug depending on what you want.

Sanur is where longer term expats tend to land. It is calmer than Canggu, has a beach (though not a surf beach), and offers a more "real life" feel. Fewer coworking spaces, but good cafes for working and a growing community.

Seminyak is the upscale option. Higher prices, better restaurants, closer to the airport. Not as many coworking spaces, but if you work from your apartment or villa and want a more polished neighborhood, it works.

Uluwatu/Bukit Peninsula is the surf and cliff crowd. If you are into surfing, this area has world class breaks and a growing number of cafes and coworking spots. The downside is that it is more isolated, and you will need a scooter for everything. Padang Padang and Bingin beaches are standouts.

Amed on the east coast is the off the beaten path choice. It is quieter, cheaper, and has great diving and snorkeling. Internet can be hit or miss, but some guesthouses and cafes have invested in decent connections. Good for a week or two of focused deep work away from the Canggu buzz.

How to Prepare for the New Requirements

Even though nothing is law yet, you can take steps now to avoid problems later:

1. Keep your bank statements clean. If Bali does require three months of statements, make sure your accounts show a healthy balance. Avoid large unexplained withdrawals right before travel.

2. Have your documents ready. Keep digital copies of bank statements, return tickets, and accommodation bookings. If you are staying in a furnished apartment, your booking confirmation serves as proof of accommodation.

3. Consider a B211A visa instead of Visa on Arrival. The B211A already involves a more thorough application process. Having it approved in advance means you have already passed one level of scrutiny, which could smooth things at immigration.

4. Watch the news. Follow sources like The Bali Sun and the official Indonesian Immigration website for updates. Rules in Indonesia can change quickly and with little advance notice.

5. Have a backup plan. If the rules become prohibitive, other Southeast Asian destinations offer similar lifestyles at comparable costs. Chiang Mai in Thailand, Da Nang in Vietnam, and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia are all proven nomad hubs with established infrastructure.

The Bigger Picture: Countries Are Getting Pickier

Bali's proposal is part of a global shift. Countries that welcomed digital nomads with open arms during and after the pandemic are now setting higher bars for entry. Portugal raised the income requirement for its D7 visa. Thailand has discussed minimum daily spending requirements. Even Romania's new digital nomad visa sets a clear income floor.

The message is consistent: countries want nomads who spend money locally, pay taxes where required, and contribute to the economy. The era of living in Bali on $500 a month and paying nothing into the local system is ending, whether through financial requirements, tourism taxes, or both.

For digital nomads earning a decent remote income, this is actually not bad news. Higher barriers mean fewer people competing for apartments, coworking desks, and restaurant tables. The nomads who treat their host countries as real communities rather than cheap backdrops will continue to be welcome.

What to Do Right Now

If Bali is on your 2026 radar, do not panic. The financial requirement is a proposal, not a law. But do take it seriously:

• Start keeping clean, organized bank records
• Budget at least $1,500/month for a comfortable stay
• Get your visa sorted well in advance (the B211A is your best bet)
• Follow official Indonesian immigration channels for updates
• Have a Plan B destination in mind

Bali remains one of the best places on earth to work remotely. The culture, the food, the coworking infrastructure, and the community are all still world class. The rules are changing, but for nomads who are willing to show they can support themselves, the door is still wide open.

Browse furnished apartments on Rent Remote to start planning your next stay, whether it is in Bali or your backup destination.