Expat health insurance for Indonesia: A complete guide

Moving to Indonesia from the UK brings many new experiences, but it also means navigating an unpredictable healthcare system. Getting the right insurance in place early is key to avoiding unexpected costs and complications.

In this guide, we’ll tell you everything about expat health insurance for Indonesia. We’ll explain how you can access healthcare, what options are available and the costs you can expect.

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Healthcare system in Indonesia - An overview

Indonesia’s healthcare system faces various challenges, but initiatives are in place to help ensure universal access. Public healthcare is government-funded, but expats mostly opt for private insurance, which offers significantly higher quality.¹

The national health insurance scheme, Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN), was launched in 2014. It’s mandatory and covers basic medical treatment and facilities. If it continues to progress as planned, it could become the world’s largest publicly funded healthcare system.¹

Medical facilities in major cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya and Bandung tend to offer a higher standard of care, while rural areas often lack modern equipment and reliable infrastructure. Primary health providers in most rural areas are community health centres called puskesmas, while one of the most common challenges is the fact that Indonesia doesn’t have a national emergency service.²

Although the private sector is a more reliable option, it also faces limitations. One of the biggest issues is that private ambulances aren’t widely available and often don’t provide consistent service. Many complex procedures require evacuation to one of the neighbouring countries.²

Public vs private healthcare

The Indonesian national healthcare programme is called Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional, but you may also come across terms BPJS Kesehatan or BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, which are associated with it. It’s comprised of the public health sector and some parts of the private sector as well.²

Indonesia’s public healthcare facilities are organised in tiers, starting with community health centres called puskesmas and posyandu. They mainly provide basic care for those with lower income and they’re staffed with doctors, dentists, nurses and other medical professionals. Although they offer an affordable route to access essential services, patients are often faced with long waiting times and inconsistent standards of care.²

Everyone with formal employment for at least six months can access public healthcare and register with the JKN programme, including expats. Your salary will automatically be deducted by the amount needed to cover the premium.¹

Private healthcare, on the other hand, provides faster service and greater comfort. Private hospitals are typically better equipped, with modern facilities, English-speaking staff and a broader selection of specialist doctors.²

Health insurance requirements for expats

For retirees, having adequate expat health insurance for Indonesia is not only a safeguard, but also a requirement when applying for a long-stay visa. The Indonesian authorities request proof of sufficient insurance coverage to ensure that foreign residents won’t become a financial burden on the local healthcare system.³

If you’re moving to Indonesia for work, you’ll need to enrol in the JKN programme. You’ll need to be employed for at least six months, but your employer is the one responsible for registering both you and your family.¹

However, many expats take out private health insurance even if they’re already covered by the public system.

Accessing healthcare in Indonesia

Those living and working in Indonesia for at least six months must sign up for the public healthcare system. You’ll need to apply for two schemes, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan and BPJS Kesehatan.⁴

BPJS Ketenagakerjaan is a scheme that covers you in case of accidents during working hours and provides a state pension, while BPJS Kesehatan is made for accidents outside of work. Your Indonesian employer will usually enrol you in these schemes, but if you need to do it yourself, you can register on the BPJS official website.⁴

You can choose between three tiers of public health insurance, depending on the coverage:

• Class one (150,000 IDR/month)
• Class two (100,000 IDR/month)
• Class three (42,000 IDR/month)⁴

If your employer signs you up for healthcare, they’ll also arrange for an automatic salary deduction for the amount needed to cover the premium. The typical contribution is 5% of your monthly salary, with the employer covering 4% and you being responsible for the remaining 1%.¹

Upon registering, you and your family will receive BPJS cards, which you’ll take to every appointment.

Private health insurance providers for expats in Indonesia

A range of private insurers offer expat health insurance for Indonesia. Some of them specialise in international plans that cover medical care both within the country and worldwide. These providers typically offer flexible options that can be tailored to your budget and health needs.

Some of the major private health insurance providers in Indonesia include:

• Allianz
• AXA Mandiri
• BNI Life
• Bupa Global
• Chubb Life
• Cigna
• LUMA Health
• Manulife
• William Russel

The quality of healthcare in Indonesia can be inconsistent, so having the right insurance is essential. If your coverage needs are mostly within the country, a local plan could work, but if you travel regularly or spend time abroad, an international policy is likely the safer choice.

How much does private health insurance cost in Indonesia?

The cost of expat health insurance for Indonesia varies depending on various factors, such as coverage level, your age and health status.

For example, Now Health International’s offer includes basic plans for around £20 a month, while coverage including routine dental care costs roughly twice as much.³ At William Russell, a maternity plan with access to good private hospitals starts at about £300 a month.⁴

Choosing the right expat health insurance

Selecting the right expat health insurance for Indonesia depends on several factors, such as your age, location and medical history. For example, a family living in Jakarta or Surabaya will have different needs than someone based in a more remote area.

You should also consider whether you want coverage limited to Indonesia or extending worldwide. It’s recommended to take out a policy that includes evacuation and medical treatment in neighbouring countries.

It’s also important to review how each insurer handles pre-existing medical conditions. Some might even exclude them entirely, while others offer limited coverage at a higher premium.

Wise - A smart way to manage your money in Indonesia

Healthcare in Indonesia can be unpredictable, so having the right insurance is key. Whether you choose a local or international plan, make sure it offers good coverage for any medical needs that may arise.

If you’re looking for a way to pay for health insurance or cover living costs in Indonesia, Wise can be a great option. Open a Wise account and you can send money between the UK and Indonesia for low, transparent fees and the mid-market exchange rate.

You can also spend Indonesian rupiah using your Wise card. It works in more than 150+ countries and automatically converts your pounds to the local currency at the mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny currency conversion fee. Or it’s free if you already have the local currency in your Wise account.

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Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 03-Nov-2025