Bali’s transformation from a leisure destination to a world-class health hub is no longer just a policy draft; in 2026, it is an operational reality centered around the Sanur Health Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
With the opening of the Bali International Hospital (BIH) and the influx of global partnerships, the island is aggressively targeting the billions of rupiah previously spent by Indonesians overseas.
For foreign investors, this presents a lucrative opening, but one that is guarded by a complex layer of new regulations that differentiate “wellness” from strictly regulated “medical” services.
The days of operating a grey-area IV drip lounge in a villa are over. The government’s enforcement of the Omnibus Health Law (Law 17/2023) means that any facility offering medical treatments—whether inside the Sanur SEZ or in a boutique Seminyak clinic—must adhere to hospital-grade standards.
Investors who treat medical tourism merely as an extension of hospitality often face immediate closure for lacking the correct health facility licensing and accreditation.
Success in this sector requires a mindset shift: you are not building a hotel with doctors; you are building a hospital that understands hospitality. From navigating the specific incentives of the Sanur SEZ to understanding the streamlined yet strict foreign doctor licensing, your compliance strategy determines your viability.
This roadmap provides the step-by-step regulatory guidance needed to navigate Bali Medical Tourism Compliance, ensuring your project becomes a pillar of Indonesia’s new health ecosystem rather than a cautionary tale. You can check the latest SEZ incentives on the National Council for SEZ website.
Table of Contents
- The Sanur Health SEZ and National Policy Context
- Core Health Sector Laws and Accreditation
- Foreign Investment Structure and PT PMA Rules
- Integrating Travel and Medical Services
- Step-by-Step Compliance Roadmap for Investors
- Real Story: The IV Clinic Struggle in Canggu, Bali
- Key Risks and Regulatory Pitfalls
- Governance and Patient Safety Standards
- FAQs about Bali Medical Tourism
The Sanur Health SEZ and National Policy Context
The Sanur Health Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is the heartbeat of Indonesia’s medical tourism strategy. Established under Government Regulation No. 41 of 2022, this 41-hectare zone is Indonesia’s first designated health SEZ, designed to stop the outflow of foreign currency by offering world-class care domestically.
For investors, the SEZ offers a unique regulatory sandbox, including tax holidays and easier import procedures for medical devices that are critical for high-tech treatments like oncology and stem-cell therapy.
Outside the SEZ, the policy environment is equally active but less centralized. The government aims to integrate Bali’s existing tourism infrastructure with upgraded medical facilities.
However, Bali Medical Tourism Compliance requires a clear distinction: facilities inside the SEZ operate under a specific set of master-planned governance, while those outside must navigate the standard regional health office (Dinas Kesehatan) requirements, albeit with the support of the new Health Act’s pro-investment stance.
Core Health Sector Laws and Accreditation
The regulatory backbone for 2026 is the Omnibus Health Law (Law No. 17 of 2023), which has modernized the governance of healthcare in Indonesia. This law simplifies the licensing process for medical professionals, removing the mandatory recommendation from professional organizations for the Practice License (SIP).
However, for a facility to be recognized as a medical tourism provider, it must go beyond basic licensing.
Under Ministry of Health Regulation No. 76/2015, a hospital or clinic must achieve “Plenary” level national accreditation to offer health tourism services. This is a non-negotiable aspect of Bali Medical Tourism Compliance.
You cannot simply market to tourists; you must prove your clinical excellence. This involves rigorous audits of your patient safety protocols, emergency response systems, and infection control measures, ensuring they meet international standards compatible with the expectations of foreign patients.
Foreign Investment Structure and PT PMA Rules
Indonesia’s investment climate has warmed significantly to foreign capital in healthcare. The Positive Investment List allows for up to 100% foreign ownership (PT PMA) in hospitals and main clinics, a major shift from previous restrictions. However, this openness comes with high capital entry barriers.
A PT PMA in the hospital sector typically requires a minimum investment value significantly higher than the standard IDR 10 billion, depending on the hospital class (A, B, or C).
For investors looking at the Sanur SEZ, the structure often involves partnerships with the state-owned operator (PT Hotel Indonesia Natour) or the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA). Outside the SEZ, independent PT PMAs must carefully select their Business Classification (KBLI).
Mixing “hospital services” with “hotel accommodation” in a single entity can trigger conflicting licensing requirements. A compliant structure often separates the property asset from the medical operating company to streamline Bali Medical Tourism Compliance.
Integrating Travel and Medical Services
True medical tourism is a complex logistical operation, not just a surgery. Compliant providers must offer an end-to-end experience that integrates healthcare with tourism. This means your facility needs formal cooperation agreements with licensed travel agencies and hotels.
You cannot legally run an unlicensed “recovery retreat” inside a villa; patient accommodation must be legally registered for tourism, while medical care is delivered in licensed clinical settings.
The Sanur SEZ exemplifies this model by physically integrating the Bali International Hospital with 5-star hotels like the Bali Beach Hotel. For smaller investors, this means building a network.
Your Bali Medical Tourism Compliance strategy should include partnerships with medical tour guides who are trained and certified to handle patient logistics, ensuring that the transfer from the airport to the operating theatre is seamless and legally sound.
Step-by-Step Compliance Roadmap for Investors
To build a compliant medical facility in 2026, start by defining your scope. Are you a specialist clinic, a diagnostic center, or a full-service hospital? Once defined, secure your legal entity (PT PMA) and location.
If you are targeting the Sanur SEZ, engage with the SEZ management early to understand land lease terms and specific incentive eligibility.
Next, focus on the physical infrastructure licensing: Building Approval (PBG) with specific hospital functions and Environmental Impact Analysis (AMDAL). Once the building is ready, proceed to the operational licensing: obtaining the Operational License and recruiting staff with valid Registration Certificates (STR) and Practice Licenses (SIP).
Finally, apply for National Accreditation. Only after achieving Plenary status can you formally register as a Health Tourism Provider, completing your journey toward full Bali Medical Tourism Compliance.
Real Story: The IV Clinic Struggle in Canggu, Bali
Martin, a 31-year-old entrepreneur from Bratislava, Slovakia, thought his “Vitality Source” center in Canggu was just a high-end spa. Opened in early 2025, it featured plush robes, herbal tea, and ocean views. But when the task force officers walked in, they didn’t see a spa.
They saw needles. Martin was administering IV vitamin drips—an invasive medical procedure—without a medical license. In the eyes of the law, he wasn’t running a wellness retreat; he was running an illegal hospital inside a villa.
The officers noted that IV drips and peptide injections classify the facility as a “Klinik Utama” (Main Clinic), requiring rigorous medical oversight. Martin was hit with a temporary closure order and a threat of deportation for violating his business visa conditions.
His vision of a relaxed wellness sanctuary had collided with the hard reality of Indonesian medical law.
Martin reached out to Balivisa.co to salvage the project. The team conducted a regulatory gap analysis and managed a complete restructuring. They moved his medical operations to a properly zoned commercial building nearby, established a dedicated PT PMA for medical services, and recruited a licensed Indonesian Medical Director to oversee clinical governance.
“I tried to blur the lines between spa and clinic,” Martin admitted. “But in Bali, the line is a wall. Crossing it without a license nearly cost me everything.”
Key Risks and Regulatory Pitfalls
The most dangerous pitfall in 2026 is the “Wellness Trap”—offering medical services under a spa license. Procedures like Botox, fillers, and IV drips are strictly medical. Performing them in a salon setting violates the Medical Practice Law and carries criminal penalties.
Another risk is ignoring the specifics of foreign doctor employment. While the new Health Act allows foreign doctors, they must undergo competency evaluation and operate under a specific contract duration (typically 2 years, renewable), often within specific zones like the SEZ.
Ignoring patient data privacy is another growing risk. With the digitization of health records (SatuSehat integration), your facility must comply with strict data protection laws.
A breach of foreign patient data can lead to severe reputational damage and lawsuits. Bali Medical Tourism Compliance requires robust IT security that mirrors international HIPAA or GDPR standards.
Governance and Patient Safety Standards
Trust is the foundation of medical tourism. To compete with Thailand or Singapore, Bali investors must implement impeccable governance.
This involves securing comprehensive professional indemnity insurance (malpractice insurance) for all practitioners, a requirement often overlooked by smaller clinics.
Furthermore, transparent pricing and informed consent are mandatory. All medical documents must be available in English (or the patient’s language) to ensure valid consent. Establishing a Patient Safety Committee that reports directly to the board is not just a regulatory requirement for accreditation; it is a critical defense against liability.
By prioritizing safety over speed, you build the long-term credibility essential for a successful medical tourism brand.
FAQs about Bali Medical Tourism
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Can foreign doctors practice in Bali in 2026?
Yes, under the Omnibus Health Law (Law 17/2023), foreign doctors can practice, provided they pass a competency evaluation or meet exemption criteria for experts. They typically work under specific time-bound contracts or within the SEZ.
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Is there a specific "Medical Tourism Visa"?
While there is no dedicated "Medical Tourism Visa" yet, patients can use the C1 Visa (Wintering/Tourism) or e-VOA. Severe cases requiring long stays may use specific treatment visas facilitated by the hospital to ensure Bali Medical Tourism Compliance.
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Can I open a clinic anywhere in Bali?
No, you must adhere to zoning regulations (RDTR). Medical facilities cannot be located in residential or green zones. The Sanur SEZ offers the most streamlined zoning for large-scale projects.
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What is the minimum capital for a foreign-owned clinic?
A PT PMA for a medical clinic generally requires a minimum paid-up capital of IDR 10 billion (excluding land and buildings), ensuring only serious investors enter the market.
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Do I need accreditation to treat tourists?
To legally market yourself as a "Health Tourism Provider" and partner with travel agencies, your facility must hold Plenary (Paripurna) National Accreditation.
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Can a hotel offer medical services directly?
No, a hotel can only offer wellness services (spa, massage). Any medical procedure must be performed in a separately licensed clinic entity, even if it is located within the hotel premises.
