What you really need to enter Bali: no panic, here’s the ultimate checklist

4 must have in Bali

What you really need to enter Bali

You finally booked your flight to Bali and now you’re stuck in that limbo of blogs and Facebook groups where it seems like you need half a notary office to get in. Spoiler: it’s not that complicated.

In this article, I’ll explain clearly, quickly, and without any panic what you REALLY need to enter Bali.

In this guide about what you really need to go to Bali with kids, we’ll talk about:

The visa: VOA and you’re good to go!
Health insurance
Customs form
SIM card
Summary checklist

🛂 The visa: VOA and you’re good to go!

f you’re an Italian (or European) citizen, for a tourist stay up to 30 days, you can do everything right at the airport. It’s called VOA – Visa On Arrival, costs about 35 dollars (you can pay also in euros or by card), and the line takes about 10 minutes.

📝 Remember:

It’s valid for 30 days, renewable only once
If you want to stay longer (up to 60 days total), get the VOA at arrival, then apply for an extension locally through an agency.

⏳ Heads up: if you don’t get the VOA on arrival, you can’t extend your stay.
👉 Pro tip: if you want to avoid queues, you can also apply for the VOA online before leaving from this official Indonesian immigration site — but keep in mind you will need a confirmed outbound flight.

If you want to learn more about all visas available to enter Indonesia, check out our full article.

🩺 Do you really need health insurance?

Sì, ma non serve mostrarla all’ingresso. Nessuno ti chiederà il pdf dell’assicurazione in aeroporto, ma… non partire senza!

In Indonesia non esiste sanità gratuita per gli stranieri e una visita al pronto soccorso può costarti anche 500€, quindi fai una polizza con: – copertura COVID e infortuni – copertura per bambini (se viaggi in famiglia) – assistenza H24 e rimborso spese medico-sanitarie

Yes, but you don’t have to show it at the entrance. No one will ask for the insurance PDF at the airport, but… don’t travel without it!

There’s no free healthcare for foreigners in Indonesia, and an emergency room visit can cost you up to 500€. So get a policy with:

COVID and accident coverage
Coverage for kids (if you travel as a family)
24/7 assistance and medical expense reimbursement

🎒 We use Genky, which covers everything for long trips. I’m not here to be an insurance influencer since luckily I haven’t had to use it yet, but my advice, especially if you travel in Asia, is to check carefully if your insurance covers motorbike accidents (many policies hide behind tricky clauses).

📄 The customs form (now online)

A little-known update: the paper customs form doesn’t exist anymore. You have to fill it out online, maximum 3 days before arriving in Bali.

It’s called e-CD (Electronic Customs Declaration) and you can find it here: 👉 https://ecd.beacukai.go.id

📱 Once completed, you get a QR code to show at an electronic kiosk before baggage claim.

Yes, even if you’re dead tired after 13 hours of flight. You can do it at the airport too, but I recommend doing it earlier, maybe during a layover, so you’re ready as soon as you land.

📶 Local SIM: yes or no?

Having internet in Bali is a must, even just to order a taxi or pay with QR code. I recommend getting a local SIM, maybe right at the airport. The main operators are:

Telkomsel (great coverage)
XL Axiata
Indosat

📱 Prices: a 30GB SIM for 30 days costs about 8-10 euros. You can also download apps like MyTelkomsel to recharge online.

Some will flood your feed with ads for expensive international eSIMs, but here’s a real tip! I used Telkomsel’s eSIM and I recommend BaliEasy, a top service that lets you buy it beforehand and activate it at your landing with just one click!

We use the Telkomsel eSIM purchased through BaliEasy, and they were super efficient. The best part? You can buy it comfortably from home and have it activate exactly when your plane lands in Bali — trust me, having your phone active to call a taxi without paying crazy airport driver prices is a real game changer.

🧳 In short: what do you really need to enter Bali?

Passport valid for at least 6 months
Visa on arrival (VOA) – also online
Online customs form (e-CD)
Health insurance recommended (but no need to show it)
Local SIM to avoid headaches, I recommend a local eSIM
No vaccines or COVID forms currently required

🧘‍♀️ One last tip from someone who’s already been there (with two kids in tow)

Don’t let those who make everything complicated scare you. In Bali, they’re used to welcoming tourists from all over the world, including families. If you have everything ready, crossing the border will feel easier than in Europe.

If you want to dig deeper, here’s the link to our article on Things to know before leaving for Bali: What you really need to go to Bali — a spiritual and practical guide to everything you need to know before you leave.

👉 If you want to make your trip even more special, MiniLonely Bali will help you turn every stop into an unforgettable adventure!

MiniLonely Bali

A journey through nasi goreng, temples, and religion, discovering the island of the Gods

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Planning a trip to Bali with kids?

From mystical temples to the rice fields of Sidemen, from local markets to beaches: Bali is a family-sized adventure waiting for you. I’ve gathered practical tips, authentic stops, and low-budget ideas to help you discover the island with curious eyes and light backpacks.

And if you want to go even deeper, to discover the Real Bali — the one you won’t find in brochures — I recommend Viaggiaibali.com: a complete guide for those who dream of truly living it, with a sustainable and respectful eye towards local communities.

Read all articles about Bali with kids →
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