Owning land as a ‘bule’ married to an Indonesian

Owning land and building your ‘dream home’ in Bali, is a dream for many people. Some people try it and have success, others find it a frustrating experience, others still don’t bother and simply rent. I’m in category ‘C’ for right now. A post on the Bali Expat Forum, asks about the legalities of your Indo wife owning property in Bali.

The question posted, asks if an Indonesian woman loses her right to own land in Bali, if she marries a foreigner. You think the Indonesian government is that stupid? This is one of the best ways to get money out of, and away from, foreigners. Friends of mine, who are married to locals from Java, put the land in their wife’s name, no problem. As I understand it, if the couple divorces at a later date, they must split their assets, 50/50.

An English guy once told me he moved to the kampung in the Philippines, and built a beautiful house. “Wonderful” I said. “No” he said, “it was the worst thing I ever did, all the relatives came to visit and never left.”