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Moving to Indonesia from Singapore
Information About Taxes, Life, and Costs in Indonesia
Indonesia is an excellent place to move if you love nature, are interested in history, or want to learn about various religions and cultures. In this article, we will provide you with all the information you need to move to Indonesia.
What can you find here?
Cost of Moving to Indonesia
The average cost of moving to Indonesia from Singapore is between S$ 1,832 and S$ 4,670.
| Size of Apartment | Sea Freight Cost | Air Freight Cost |
| 1 BD Apartment | S$ 1,832 – S$ 2,023 | S$ 3,489 – S$ 3,855 |
| 3 BD Apartment | S$ 2,817 – S$ 3,114 | N/A |
| 5 BD Apartment | S$ 4,228 – S$ 4,670 | N/A |
*The costs are estimates and can change depending on the season, distance, and weight of the shipment
Your moving costs are largely dependent on the volume of your move. The more items you move, the higher the costs will be. Use our volume calculator to get a real-time estimate of your moving volume, enabling you to receive more accurate cost estimates.
Moving Companies: Singapore to Indonesia
Moving from Singapore to Indonesia isn’t the longest distance, but despite this, having a professional moving company can make your move much more enjoyable.
Below you can find some of the best moving companies from Singapore to Indonesia, or you can look at all of our international moving companies and research yourself.
- Moovaz
- Alliance Movers
- Wee Care Mobility
Request Your Moving Quote
Finding the right mover and the best price for your move can be hard work if you do all your research on your own. In our professional experience, requesting multiple quotes from various movers is the best guarantee of finding the right deal for yourself. Fill in our quote form below and receive up to five moving quotes from movers.
Indonesia Visa Requirements
As a Singaporean, you will need a visa for Indonesia if you stay in the country for longer than 30 days. With a visa, you will be able to stay in Indonesia for longer, but you need to specify what your visa will be for, e.g. work, joining family, or studying.
If you need to apply for a visa for Indonesia you can find the types of visas on the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration website. When applying for the visa, you must meet at least the following requirements
- Passport (valid at least 6 months)
- Proof of income
- Coloured passport photo
- Proof of employment (if necessary)
Indonesia is very strict when it comes to overstaying without a visa. We advise you to get your visa permits in order before moving to Indonesia and respecting the time limitations. Not doing so can result in an entry ban and large daily fines.
Taxes in Indonesia
Singapore and Indonesia have a Double Tax Avoidance Agreement to avoid extra taxation on residents. In Indonesia, locals get taxed on their worldwide income, and non-residents get taxed on their Indonesian income only.
Indonesia has a flat tax rate of 20% for Indonesia-sourced income for non-residents. If you move to Indonesia for longer than 183 days, you will be classified as a resident, meaning you will be taxed on all your income from Indonesia and abroad. Below you can see the income taxes in Indonesia for residents:
| Annual Income | Tax Rate |
| Up to SGD 5,310 | 5% |
| SGD 5,310 to SGD 22,124 | 15% |
| SGD 22,124 to SGD 44,248 | 25% |
| SGD 44,248 to SGD 442,478 | 30% |
| Above SGD 442,478 | 35% |
Banking in Indonesia
The currency used in Indonesia is the Rupiah (IDR) with 1 SGD equalling about 12 IDR. Indonesia does not accept Singapore dollars, so you should exchange your money before moving to Indonesia if you prefer using cash.
Below you can find the best banks in Indonesia for expats:
Culture in Indonesia
Indonesian culture is heavily influenced by its history and cultural diversity. Indonesia hosts over 300 ethnic groups giving it a wide range of languages and traditions. It’s also home to various religions like Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism which influence daily life and culture.
Hierarchy and collectivism also play a big role in shaping Indonesian culture. A sense of community and strong family ties, respect for elders and authority are values that you should also uphold when visiting the country.
Best Cities in Indonesia for Expats
Indonesia is a multicultural country that is a great place for expats to reside. The country has various islands and cities, each offering different aspects such as city life, nature, and beaches. Below you can find the best cities for expats:
Bali – Moving to Bali is a great decision for expats. Bali is one of the most popular places in Indonesia offering beautiful beaches, a tropical climate, and lots of nature. The touristic environment also makes it easy for expats to feel at home.
Jakarta – Moving to Jakarta is the best option for anyone seeking a city life. Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia and offers modern amenities, nightlife, and culture. The city also has a wide range of employment opportunities for internationals.
Surabaya – The second largest city in Indonesia, Surabaya is a more affordable option for people looking for urban city life. The city offers many working opportunities, good quality education, entertainment, and cultural landmarks.
Flores – The perfect option for nature-loving expats or families. The city offers great education opportunities with many international schools, its home to many national parks and beaches near islands.
Semarang – The city offers education opportunities from international schools to universities. It’s also a good balance of historical and modern architecture, making it an interesting environment for expats. Semarang also has a well-developed public transportation system that makes it easy for expats to travel.
Cost of Living in Indonesia
The cost of living in Indonesia is around 64% lower than in Singapore.
Singapore is one of the most expensive countries in the world, so life in Indonesia might be a refreshing take. Assuming you earn a good wage, you can have extra money to spend on activities, entertainment, and luxuries.
| Product | Cost in Singapore | Cost in Indonesia |
| Cappuccino | S$ 6.38 | S$ 3.06 |
| Chicken (1kg) | S$ 12.59 | S$ 4.8 |
| Potato (1kg) | S$ 3.07 | S$ 2.31 |
| Water (1,5L) | S$ 1.92 | S$ 0.62 |
| Bottle of wine | S$ 35.0 | S$ 29.66 |
| Monthly bus pass | S$ 120.0 | S$ 16.95 |
| 1 BD Apartment in city center | S$ 3,604.68 | S$ 581.19 |
*These are costs from October 2024, Source: Numbeo
Work in Indonesia
The business culture in Indonesia differs from the culture in Singapore. Indonesian work culture is more hierarchical, has a more flexible approach to time, and values relationship-building and indirect communication more than Singaporean work culture.
There are many jobs in Indonesia for expats, but you will need to know where to look for them. Below you can find some of the best sites to start your search.
The best sites to find work in Indonesia:
Working Permit in Indonesia
Expats wanting to work in Indonesia need to obtain a work permit (IMTA) to be allowed to work in Indonesia. Getting a work permit in Indonesia for foreigners is possible, but you will need your company to sponsor you. To apply for a work visa, you will need to provide the following documents:
- CV
- Certificate of degree
- Copy of a passport
- Proof of residence (rental agreement)
The IMTA does not allow you to reside in Indonesia, which is why you also need to apply for a residence permit. For shorter stays (up to 1 year) you can apply for a temporary permit (KITAS), and for longer stays you need to apply for a permanent stay permit (KITAP). Once you have both permits you will be legally allowed to work in Indonesia.
Education in Indonesia
Most education in Indonesia is done in the native language Bahasa. For expats, choosing an international or private school, instead of public schools will guarantee an English education. Private schools are naturally more expensive and usually have yearly tuition fees and uniform costs.
Overall the education level in Indonesia is not as high as in Singapore, but the private and international schools come closest to achieving this level.
Healthcare in Indonesia
Access to healthcare in Indonesia is possible for all residents. Indonesian healthcare consists of the public and private sectors. The private healthcare sector is significantly better than the public sector. The public healthcare system has limited resources, especially in rural areas, and a language barrier can exist. For expats, getting private healthcare is a safer option.
The cost of health insurance in Indonesia is around 5% of your salary, 1% of this is paid by the employee and the rest by the employer. Expats will be integrated into public health insurance after working for 6 months in the country. However, we advise you to get private health insurance, which means you will get English treatment and quality closer to Singapore standards.
Get Ready for Moving to Indonesia
Now that we have reached the end of this article, we hope you feel ready to move to Indonesia. If you are left with any questions have a look at our FAQs below.
