Indonesia runs a national health insurance scheme, BPJS Kesehatan, and foreigners working in the country for six months or more are generally required to enrol. In practice, though, most British expats — especially in Bali — rely on private hospitals and international cover for their day-to-day care.
Public and BPJS facilities can be crowded and use a tiered referral system, and serious cases are frequently evacuated to Singapore. That combination makes international cover with evacuation a popular choice for Britons in Indonesia.
Healthcare in Indonesia: how the system works
Public system: BPJS Kesehatan (national health insurance).
BPJS Kesehatan is Indonesia's national health insurance scheme, providing universal coverage through public facilities and a tiered referral system from clinics up to hospitals. Public facilities can be crowded and quality varies by region. Foreigners working in Indonesia for six months or more are generally required to enrol in the scheme.
Foreign workers (six months or more) are generally required to join BPJS Kesehatan, but expats — particularly in Bali — widely use private hospitals and international cover instead of relying on it. Serious cases are often evacuated to Singapore. There is no reciprocal agreement with the UK, so a GHIC is invalid, and a UK domestic policy will not cover you as an Indonesia resident.
Is health insurance mandatory in Indonesia?
Foreigners working in Indonesia for six months or more are generally required to enrol in the national health insurance scheme, BPJS Kesehatan, with contributions typically linked to salary. The precise rules depend on your permit and can change, so confirm the current requirement for your situation. Because BPJS relies on a tiered public referral system, most expats take private or international cover on top of it rather than depending on it alone.
Why British expats take out private cover
BPJS and public facilities can be crowded and use referral tiers that slow access to specialists, and serious cases often need to leave the country. IPMI gives direct access to private hospitals, higher limits and medical evacuation to Singapore, which is the standard safety net for expats here.
What expat health insurance costs in Indonesia
Private care in Indonesia is reasonably priced, though the best international hospitals in Jakarta and Bali cost more, and evacuation cover adds to premiums. IPMI is moderately priced overall and rises with age and the breadth of cover you choose.
Good to know before you move
- Foreign workers staying six months or more are generally required to enrol in BPJS Kesehatan — confirm the current rule for your permit.
- In Bali, expats rely heavily on private hospitals and international clinics.
- Serious cases are frequently evacuated to Singapore, so evacuation cover is important.
- There is no reciprocal healthcare agreement between the UK and Indonesia.
Private hospitals and where Britons settle
Indonesia's British community is concentrated in Jakarta and, increasingly, Bali, mixing business expats with a growing remote-worker and retiree crowd.
Private options include Siloam Hospitals, Mayapada Hospital, BIMC Bali and Pondok Indah Hospital.
Popular with British expats: Jakarta, Denpasar (Bali), Surabaya, Bandung, Ubud.
How a UK broker helps expats in Indonesia
International private medical insurance is a specialist market, and the right policy depends on your visa, your age, your medical history and how much time you spend outside Indonesia. A UK-based specialist broker can compare the international insurers available through its service, check that a policy meets any local or visa requirement, and explain what is — and is not — covered before you commit.
A broker can compare only the insurers and policies available through its service, and may receive commission or charge a fee. Ask for the insurer panel, the remuneration disclosure and the total price. Requesting a quote is free and puts you under no obligation to buy.
Get my free quote for Indonesia
Expat health insurance in Indonesia: FAQs
Do expats have to join BPJS Kesehatan in Indonesia?
Foreigners working in Indonesia for six months or more are generally required to enrol in BPJS Kesehatan. The exact rules depend on your permit and can change, so confirm your position. Even where enrolment is required, most expats add private or international cover on top.
Can I rely on public healthcare in Bali?
Most expats in Bali do not rely on public or BPJS facilities for serious care, as they can be crowded and use tiered referrals. Private hospitals and international clinics are the norm, with evacuation to Singapore for complex cases.
Does my UK health insurance work in Indonesia?
A UK domestic policy is built for UK residents and will not cover you once you live in Indonesia, and a GHIC is invalid here. You need an international policy that includes Indonesia and, ideally, evacuation cover.
Why is evacuation cover important in Indonesia?
Serious or complex cases are frequently transferred to Singapore, where care is world-class but expensive, and a private evacuation is very costly to arrange alone. Building evacuation into your policy is the standard safeguard for expats here.
Other expat destinations
Visa, residency and insurance rules change and vary by individual circumstances. This guide is general information, not personal or regulated advice — always confirm the current requirements for your situation before you rely on them. Health Insurance UK is an information and lead-generation service, not an insurer or broker.