December 2025-
Everyone is talking about Bali right now. If you are looking to invest, you probably don’t want the fluff about sunsets and coconuts. You want to know if the numbers actually stack up.
I am not going to drop a bunch of stats and run away. I want to explain precisely why Bali is still the king of real estate ROI and why it looks set to stay that way for the foreseeable future.
My own portfolio: Dubai vs. Bali
I don’t just advise clients on this. I put my own money into these markets. I currently own investment properties in both Dubai and Bali, so I can give you a direct comparison based on what hits my bank account every month.
My Dubai investment is a solid 2-bedroom apartment. It is a stable asset and has definitely benefited from capital appreciation over the last few years. However, when I look at the cash flow, it usually sits around 8% ROI, after all fees and taxes.
My Bali apartment is a different story. Right now, that property is sitting comfortably around 12%, net.
That is a significant gap. 4% might not sound like much on paper, but compounded over years, it changes the entire trajectory of an investment portfolio.
The Data
You don’t have to take my anecdotal advice as gospel. If you look at the latest projected stats for 2026, the trend is visible across the board.
Sources: Neginski Real Estate 2025 Market Report, Global Property Guide and Property Finder 2025 Data.
The logic here is straightforward. You are paying significantly less to enter the Bali market while generating a higher monthly return.
The Legal Edge: Why Bali is Actually Easier for Foreigners
If you haven’t spent time here recently, why is the demand so relentless?
Many investors assume that because you can’t buy “Freehold” land in your personal name, Bali is complicated. The reality is the opposite. Indonesia has structured its property laws to make foreign investment seamless, provided you follow the right path.
Compare this to other popular markets:
Thailand: To buy a villa, you often need to set up a company where 51% of the shares are owned by locals (a risky nominee structure) or settle for buying a condo unit. You rarely have 100% control of the land.
The Philippines: Foreigners are generally banned from owning land entirely, limiting you to condominium units only.
Bali (Indonesia): You have two perfectly legal, 100% foreign-controlled options that require zero local nominees.
I have been living here for two years now. I moved from the UK to Dubai, and finally to Bali. I have seen what those other hubs have to offer, and I don’t plan on leaving Indonesia anytime soon.
The lifestyle here is the engine driving these property prices.
The weather is elite. We get 30 degrees almost year-round. Even the rainy season towards Christmas is manageable. It is hard to beat that kind of consistency.
The “Life Admin” factor. This is something people rarely talk about, but it is enormous. Think about how much of your week is consumed by washing dishes, doing laundry, or cleaning the house. In Bali, you have staff who happily take care of all of that for you.
When you remove those tasks entirely, you get hours of your life back. That creates time for work, working out, or just relaxing. You have more time here.
The community and wellness. The gyms in Bali are world-class. Seriously, they are some of the best facilities I have ever seen. This attracts a specific crowd. We have a fantastic community of nomads, entrepreneurs, and health-focused people who are all trying to improve their lives. Being around that energy is contagious.
The unique food scene. The food in Bali is fantastic, but it occupies a particular niche. It caters to people who live here for months at a time and have no desire to cook.
While you might not find the sheer density of Michelin stars you get in London, the mid-level food is unmatched. It is healthy, plentiful, and affordable. You can eat incredible meals three times a day for a fraction of the cost of living in the US or Europe.
It is genuinely livable. This isn’t just a holiday island anymore. We have great shopping, boutique cinemas, and activities ranging from paintball to pottery to dirt biking. It is a fully functioning society that costs much less than Dubai or Australia while maintaining a high quality of life.
Plus, you have the nicest local population in the world and cute dogs running around the streets. Who doesn’t love that?
The Verdict
These are the reasons Bali has stayed at number one. The lifestyle is unmatched, and that keeps occupancy rates high. The real estate market is just a reflection of that demand.
If you are waiting for the “bubble” to burst, you might be waiting a long time. The fundamentals are too strong.
Ready to improve your ROI?
If you are tired of standard 4% returns and are ready to make your capital work harder, we should chat.
We know the market, we know the numbers, and we know how to navigate Bali safely. If you are interested and ready to invest, talk to us.