Living
Living in Lombok part of the year: visas, healthcare and banking
In short: for stays of up to 60 days, a visa on arrival (IDR 500,000, 30 days plus one 30-day extension) is enough. Longer or repeated stays call for a second home visa or a retirement KITAS. Healthcare in South Lombok covers everyday needs, but serious care means Mataram or Bali, so international insurance with evacuation cover is essential. Banking is easier with a residence permit; until then, a multi-currency account at home does most of the work. And watch the 183-day mark: beyond it, you may become an Indonesian tax resident.
Many of our buyers do not move to Lombok full-time. They spend the northern winter, or the southern one, in their villa and let it the rest of the year. This guide covers the practical side of that life. Details are current as of October 2026.
Getting in: which visa for which stay
Up to 60 days. Citizens of Australia, the UK, the US, Canada and more than 80 other countries can get a visa on arrival, or an e-VOA online before travelling. It costs IDR 500,000 (about US$28), gives 30 days, and can be extended once for another 30 (Wego, May 2026). Apply online at least 48 hours before you fly to skip the queue at the airport.
Several months a year, every year. The second home visa (IDR 2 billion in a bank account, up to five years) or, if you are 55 or over, the retirement KITAS. Both let you come and go without reapplying each trip, and both count as residence permits if you want to hold Hak Pakai title. Our visa guide compares them.
Whatever you hold, do not work locally. Managing your own villa's guests, for instance, counts as work; leave it to a licensed manager.
Healthcare
South Lombok has clinics and pharmacies in and around Kuta that handle everyday illness, minor injuries and surf cuts. For anything more serious:
- Mataram, the island's capital, has the main hospitals, including Siloam Hospitals Mataram, part of a national private hospital group (Alodokter). Allow over an hour by road from Kuta.
- Bali, a short flight away, has the widest choice of international-standard hospitals in the region.
- Major emergencies may require medical evacuation to Bali, Jakarta, Singapore or home.
Three practical steps:
- Buy international health insurance with evacuation cover. Travel insurance often limits the length of each trip; check that your policy covers stays of the length you plan.
- Bring your prescriptions, in their original packaging, with a doctor's letter. Some medicines common at home are restricted in Indonesia.
- Know your route. Save the numbers of the nearest clinic, a Mataram hospital and your insurer's assistance line before you need them.
If you apply for a retirement KITAS, health insurance is a condition of the permit.
Money and banking
Before you have a residence permit, opening an Indonesian bank account is possible but harder: banks are cautious with non-residents, and some only do it through a sponsor or agent (Emerhub). Many part-time residents simply use:
- a multi-currency account or card from home to hold rupiah and pay locally at a fair rate;
- cash from ATMs in Kuta for small daily spending;
- QR payments, which most shops and cafes accept, once you have a local account or a compatible app.
With a KITAS or KITAP, you can open an account at any major Indonesian bank with your passport, permit, proof of address and a tax number (NPWP). A local account makes it much easier to pay staff, utilities and your villa manager.
For property payments, use an international bank transfer to the account named in the deed, never cash, and keep every transfer record for your tax return at home.
Tax residency: watch the 183 days
Indonesia generally treats you as a tax resident if you are present for more than 183 days in any 12-month period, or if you live here with the intention of staying. Residents are taxed on worldwide income, which can create a second tax home on top of your own country's.
Tax treaties have tie-breaker rules for people who are resident in two countries, but the simplest protection is to track your days. If you plan to spend more than six months a year in Lombok, take advice in both countries before you arrive. See our guide to how rental income is taxed.
Daily life in South Lombok
- Seasons. The dry season, roughly April to October, brings blue skies, light winds and the best surf. The wet season, November to March, is greener and quieter, with heavy afternoon showers. Many part-time residents choose one or the other deliberately.
- Getting around. Most people use a scooter or a car with a driver. Bring an International Driving Permit alongside your home licence.
- Connectivity. Mobile data is good around Kuta and improving along the coast. Check fibre availability for your plot; satellite internet is an option where it is not.
- Culture. Lombok's Sasak people are mostly Muslim. Dress modestly away from the beach, and expect a different rhythm during Ramadan, when some restaurants open later.
- Getting there. Lombok's airport is about 30 minutes from Kuta, with direct flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur and frequent connections through Bali and Jakarta.
Looking after the villa while you are away
A part-time life works only if the house is looked after when you are not there. Most owners appoint a villa manager who handles staff, maintenance, security and, if you let the villa, bookings and the local tourist tax. See our guide to choosing a villa manager.
Thinking about a part-time life in South Lombok? Tell us how you plan to use the house and we will suggest properties and structures that fit.
FAQ
Can I do visa runs instead of getting a long-stay visa?
Repeated short visits on visit visas are possible, but immigration officers can question frequent long stays. A second home visa or retirement KITAS is more secure for regular, long visits.
Is there a hospital in Kuta?
Kuta has clinics. Full hospital care is in Mataram or Bali.
Do I need an Indonesian tax number?
You need an NPWP to open most bank accounts with a KITAS, and if you have Indonesian income. Your adviser will register you.
Is South Lombok safe?
South Lombok is generally safe and welcoming. Take normal precautions: secure your scooter, avoid isolated beaches after dark, and use a reputable manager to check on the house.
This article is general information as of October 2026, not legal, medical or tax advice. See our investment disclaimer.