BootsnAll Travel Community

Well, only for interests sake cause I guess it might be cheaper to just fly in and out as often as you like. But if you wanted to buy some land and build a small place or just buy an existing building, how easy is this for foreigners?

You cannot legally own land in Indonesia. You can lease land, or buy the land in the name of an Indonesian friend. THere are legal channels that people use to give themselves some protection of course.

If you have the cash its easy.

Here's one company selling houses in Bali

http://www.tropicalhomes.com.sg/detail.php?pid=5

Actually I think there may be a possibility for a foreigner to own land in Indonesia. I think I read somewhere that an Indonesian company, owned by foreigners only, can own lands in Indonesia. So you just have to register a company in Indonesia to be able to own land. But as I said, “I think I read”, I’m not positive it’s that way… but it’s worth checking it out, no?!

If you set up a company, the company can own NON freehold land. The problem is if you set up a company, it takes money, and then you have to have accounts, pay taxes, negotiate Indonesia's mind-boggling red tape etc etc.

As there is so little legal certainty in Indonesia I would advise you to be very very careful. Most foreigners lose, and get ripped off badly. Some think they own their property, but actually do not.

Caveat Emptor, as they say.

Thanks all!

As I said, only for interests sake. I think we'll just stick to going there for holidays. Just too many issues with buying land and sorting out visas and all.

Bit of trivia:

You can stay in a decent B&B in Bali for the total of 6 months.... for same price as a single night in Las Vegas USA.

Hectic!!!!