Can I transfer USD 300,000 in a single transaction?

Yes, provided full documentation is supplied and compliance checks are satisfied.

Which currency is normally used?

Usually IDR or USD, depending on the contract.

What if my bank rejects the payment?

Clarify the payment purpose, submit additional documents or reroute the transaction

EN

Menu

Обменивайте валюту быстро и выгодно

Alisa Morozova

How to Transfer Money to Buy a Villa in Bali in 2026: Methods, Taxes, Risks and Real Cases

Buying a villa in Bali usually begins with choosing the location and ends with the most complex stage — moving a large amount of money across borders. In early 2026, stricter banking controls, sanctions-related routing limits and AML/CTF requirements mean that a poorly structured payment can delay a transaction for weeks.
Below is a practical guide written from the perspective of a lawyer who regularly supports property acquisitions in Indonesia — from ownership structures to step-by-step payment execution and common pitfalls.

Can foreigners buy a villa in Bali?

Foreigners generally cannot own Indonesian land under freehold title (Hak Milik).
Instead, legally recognised structures are used:

Leasehold — long-term lease rights; the most common solution for villas.
Hak Pakai (Right of Use) — available subject to specific legal conditions.
Through a company (PT PMA) — a foreign-owned Indonesian company used by long-term investors.

The chosen structure directly affects who receives the funds and what documentation banks require to approve the transfer

Which money transfer methods work in 2026

Bank wire / SWIFT transfer

The most legally transparent option, but often subject to enhanced compliance reviews.

Case АТМ

1
Payment through an Indonesian bank account

Suitable for buyers with a local account but still requires source-of-funds verification.

2
Exchange services with local settlement

You transfer funds to the service provider, who converts and pays the seller locally in Indonesia - often faster and at a more favourable rate than a classic international wire.

3
Cash and cryptocurrency

Legally risky for property purchases due to AML concerns, lack of payment evidence and potential registration issues.

4

What a villa purchase in Bali really costs in 2026

Beyond the purchase price itself, buyers must budget for additional expenses:

Taxes and registration fees
Notary / PPAT services
Legal due diligence
Agency commissions
Company setup and maintenance
FX and transfer costs

Market practice: add roughly 7–15% of the property price to cover these items.

How payments usually work in Bali’s main districts

Canggu

Common for off-plan developments; payments are often made in staged instalments.
Seminyak

Secondary-market transactions dominate; lease term verification is essential.
Ubud

Land zoning and environmental permits require careful checks.
Uluwatu

Large villa projects often involve payments directly to development companies.

Common fraud schemes when buying villas

Bank detail substitution

Fraudsters send emails with “updated” bank accounts. Always verify independently

1
Nominee ownership schemes

Registering land in a local person’s name exposes buyers to severe legal risk.

2
Sale without proper title

Missing permits or disputed land rights.

3
Unrealistic FX rates

Often hide grey payment channels or double conversion.

4

Case #1 — USD 120,000

Villa in Canggu, deposit plus final payment completed in four business days.

Case #2 — USD 450,000

Investment purchase via PT PMA, split into three tranches with AML support.

Case #3 — EUR 200,000

Seminyak resale — payment description adjustments prevented rejection.

How villa payments are usually executed — step by step

- Select the ownership structure.
- Conduct legal due diligence.
- Sign the purchase or lease agreement.
- Prepare the compliance document pack.
- Transfer the funds.
- Obtain payment confirmations.
- Complete notarial registration.

FAQ

Disclaimer: banking and regulatory rules change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your lawyer and financial intermediary before sending large sums.