Do I need insurance for traveling to Bali?
Yes, digital nomads and tourists in Bali should have health insurance. Although Bali doesn’t require tourists or nomads to carry insurance, many long-stay visas do. But regardless of visa type, medical insurance in Bali is strongly advised, especially for expats and long-term residents.
Healthcare quality varies widely. Denpasar and Canggu have international-standard hospitals, but rural areas or neighbouring islands may not have the same level of care. Emergency evacuation to Singapore or Australia can cost tens of thousands of dollars, making adequate coverage essential.
Primary risks in Bali include:
- Motorbike accidents: The main cause of injuries among foreigners.
- Food & water illness: “Bali Belly” affects even seasoned travelers.
- Surfing/diving injuries: Particularly common in Canggu, Uluwatu, and the Gili Islands.
- Tropical diseases: Dengue is a constant threat.
- Evacuation needs: Vital for those spending time on more remote islands like Nusa Penida.
Bottom line: While optional, having Bali health insurance with strong medical and evacuation coverage is the safest call.
Alongside health coverage, most nomads also set up a local eSIM for reliable internet. Check our guide to the best Bali eSIMs for affordable data options.
What’s the difference between travel insurance and digital nomad insurance?
Many people arrive in Bali under the impression that travel insurance is enough, only to learn it doesn't suit nomad life. Here's why:
Duration
- Travel insurance: Short-term use only.
- Digital nomad insurance: Flexible monthly or yearly options, designed for long stays.
Visa Compliance
- Travel insurance: Rarely valid for long-term visas.
- Digital nomad insurance: Comes with documentation that many visa types require.
Buying While Abroad
- Travel insurance: Generally must be bought in your home country before departure.
- Digital nomad insurance: You can buy or renew it online from your Bali base.
Routine & Ongoing Care
- Travel insurance: Emergency coverage only.
- Digital nomad insurance: May cover check-ups, outpatient care, and mental health.
Adventure Activities
- Travel insurance: Often excludes surfing, diving, or trekking.
- Digital nomad insurance: More likely to cover Bali’s adventure sports.
👉 For a full review, see our full guide: Travel Insurance vs Digital Nomad Insurance
Is Genki or SafetyWing better for digital nomads in Bali?
Genki: Best for higher medical limits and straightforward health coverage
Genki’s insurance packages are designed for digital nomads seeking health-focused coverage with high medical protection limits. Rather than including non-essential add-ons, it prioritizes safeguarding against unforeseen medical emergencies and health issues, making it particularly valuable for nomads planning extended stays in Bali who want to use private hospitals without worrying.
Pricing: From ~$61 per month
Key Features of Genki
- Coverage limit: €1,000,000 (~$1.1M) annually
- Deductible: €50 per claim
- Policy Length: 1 month minimum, up to 12 months (fixed duration)
- Home country coverage: Up to 6 weeks, only available after minimum 4 weeks abroad initially
- Pre-existing medical conditions: Excluded from coverage
- Sports & activities: Most activities covered unless specifically excluded, with detailed rules for higher-risk sports
- Waiting period: 14 days waiting period (waived for emergencies or if you had prior coverage)
- Unique benefits:
- Direct hospital payment handling available
- Quality control for inpatient treatment
- Higher overall coverage limit than most nomad plans
Limitations worth noting:
- Mental health services
- Vision and hearing care
- Most dental care (emergency dental only, up to €1,000)
- Alternative medicine (acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy)
- Rehabilitation and long-term care
SafetyWing: Best for flexible, all-round travel coverage
SafetyWing is aimed at nomads who want combined travel protection including health and lifestyle coverage. It’s designed around flexibility, allowing ongoing policy renewals up to age 70, and includes benefits like trip interruption, baggage loss protection, and even optional adventure sports add-ons. This makes it a strong choice for nomads using Bali as a base while traveling often in the region.
Pricing: From $60 per month
Key Features of SafetyWing
- Coverage limit: $250,000 per active period
- Deductible: None
- Duration: 5–364 day terms, can be extended indefinitely until age 70
- Home country coverage: Up to 30 days coverage every 90 days (15 days for US citizens)
- Pre-existing medical conditions: Limited coverage (emergency treatment only, up to $25,000 lifetime)
- Sports & activities: Wide list of covered sports, with optional Adventure Sports add-on ($100,000 lifetime)
- Unique benefits:
- Travel coverage (trip interruption, lost luggage, evacuation from unrest)
- Liability protection ($25,000)
- Accidental death & dismemberment payouts
- Multiple add-ons (electronics, USA coverage, sports)
Exclusions worth noting:
- Routine preventive care (check-ups, screenings)
- Cancer treatment not included in the standard plan
What’s important for insurance in Bali?
- Bali motorbike accident health insurance: usually only covered if you wear a helmet
- Tropical diseases: dengue and food poisoning are frequent among foreigners.
- Adventure sports: check if surfing and diving is already included or needs an add-on
- Evacuation coverage: critical for smaller islands without international-standard hospitals.
What are the health insurance rules for long-term visas in Bali?
Bali doesn’t require health insurance for short-term tourist visits, but it does for long-term stays and visas such as the Second Home Visa, KITAS, or Business Visas.
Officially required:
- Valid health insurance covering medical expenses during your stay
- Proof of coverage often needed when applying at embassies or immigration offices
- No minimum coverage amount is stated, but policies should cover emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation
How Genki and SafetyWing fit these requirements:
- Genki Native goes beyond emergencies, covering outpatient visits, diagnostics, prescribed medication, rehabilitation, and hospital treatment, ideal for expats or anyone applying for a Second Home Visa or KITAS.
- SafetyWing Complete also fulfills long-term visa expectations, with comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care, mental health, cancer treatment, and prescriptions included.
For tourists and short-term nomads:
- Genki Traveler or SafetyWing Essential are usually enough, giving you strong emergency coverage and protection for Bali-specific risks like motorbike accidents or surfing injuries.
👉 For more options beyond Bali, see our full guide to long-term travel insurance in Southeast Asia
Important note: These details are based on research in September 2025. Visa rules in Indonesia change frequently, so always check the latest requirements with the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration or your local embassy before applying.
What is the best digital nomad insurance for Bali?
Both Genki and SafetyWing are solid options for digital nomads in Bali, but they serve slightly different needs.
- Choose Genki Traveler if you want higher medical coverage limits, a simple health-only policy, and direct hospital payment support. It’s best suited for nomads planning to stay within Bali and mainly care about strong protection for unexpected medical emergencies.
- Choose SafetyWing Essential if you prefer flexible, renewable coverage with both medical and travel benefits. It works well for nomads who move between countries, return home frequently, or want extras like trip interruption, lost luggage, and adventure sports add-ons.
- For long-term visas or expat-level stays, Genki Native and SafetyWing Complete are stronger options. Both go beyond emergency care, covering outpatient treatment, medication, rehabilitation, and longer hospital stays, making them safer choices if you’re applying for Indonesia’s Second Home Visa, KITAS, or another long-term permit.
💡 In short: Genki Traveler is more health-focused, while SafetyWing Essential adds travel extras. For long-term visas or expat-level coverage, Genki Native or SafetyWing Complete are better fits, as they provide broader healthcare protection that aligns with Indonesian immigration expectations.
