Do I need insurance for traveling to Indonesia?
Indonesia does not require tourists or digital nomads on short stays to have insurance. However, some visa types (like longer-stay or retirement visas) may require proof of coverage. Even when not mandatory, digital nomad insurance is strongly recommended.
Healthcare quality varies: Bali and Jakarta have international-standard hospitals, but in smaller islands or rural areas, facilities may be basic. Medical evacuation to Singapore or Australia can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Key risks in Indonesia include:
- Motorbike accidents in Bali: the #1 reason for hospital visits among foreigners.
- Food & water illnesses: often referred to as “Bali-Belly”, frequent even for long-term nomads.
- Surfing and diving injuries: especially in Bali, Lombok, and Komodo.
- Tropical diseases: dengue is common year-round.
- Island evacuation: essential if you’re staying on smaller islands like the Gilis or the Mentawais.
Bottom line: While Indonesia doesn’t legally require insurance, having health insurance with strong medical and evacuation coverage is the safest option.
What is the difference between travel insurance and digital nomad insurance?
Many travelers arrive in Bali with short-term travel insurance, only to discover it doesn’t cover long stays or common digital nomad issues. Here’s the breakdown:
Duration
- Travel insurance: Covers short trips only.
- Digital nomad insurance: Flexible monthly or annual plans.
Visa Compliance
- Travel insurance: Rarely accepted for long-term visas.
- Digital nomad insurance: Provides documentation often required.
Buying Coverage While Abroad
- Travel insurance: Usually must be purchased before departure.
- Digital nomad insurance: Can be started or extended online while already in Indonesia.
Routine & Ongoing Care
- Travel insurance: Emergency care only.
- Digital nomad insurance: May include outpatient care, check-ups, or mental health.
Adventure Activities
- Travel insurance: Limited for surfing, diving, or trekking.
- Digital nomad insurance: More likely to cover Indonesia’s adventure sports.
👉 For a detailed breakdown, see our guide: Travel Insurance vs Digital Nomad Insurance
Is Genki or SafetyWing better for digital nomads in Indonesia?
Genki 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 Indonesia who want to use private hospitals without worrying.
Pricing: Starting 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 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 Indonesia 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
- COVID-19 quarantine coverage
- Multiple add-ons (electronics, USA coverage, sports)
Exclusions worth noting:
- Routine preventive care (check-ups, screenings)
- Cancer treatment not included in the standard plan
Genki vs SafetyWing: Which insurance is better for Indonesia?
Both Genki and SafetyWing are solid options for digital nomads in Indonesia, but they serve slightly different needs.
- Choose Genki 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 Indonesia and mainly care about strong protection for unexpected medical emergencies.
- Choose SafetyWing if you prefer flexible, renewable coverage with both medical and travel benefits. It works well for long-term nomads who move between countries, return home frequently, or want extras like trip interruption, lost luggage, and adventure sports add-ons.
💡 In short: Genki is more health-focused, while SafetyWing is more travel-focused. The right choice depends on whether your priority is maximum medical protection or a broader insurance package for an ongoing nomadic lifestyle.
What’s important for insurance in Indonesia?
- 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.
Final summary & recommendations
Choosing the best travel insurance for Indonesia depends on your plans and personal priorities:
- If you need strong medical coverage with high limits and direct billing in Bali or Jakarta, Genki is the better choice
- If you want flexible, affordable coverage with travel extras, SafetyWing may be the smarter option.
Both provide the security to enjoy Bali’s coworking spaces, Indonesia’s islands, and Southeast Asia’s nomad lifestyle without worrying about unexpected hospital bills.
