School Fees and Enrolment in Bali: The Expat Guide for 2026

Choosing the right school for your child in Bali is one of the most important decisions you will make as an expat, and it pays to understand the landscape before you arrive. Bali hosts a solid selection of international schools, bilingual schools, and local national schools, each serving different family needs, budgets, and visa situations. Fees range from very affordable at local schools to premium pricing at fully accredited international campuses, so knowing what you are walking into saves considerable stress.

The majority of expat families in Bali enrol their children in international or bilingual private schools, since local state schools (Sekolah Dasar, SMP, SMA) teach almost entirely in Bahasa Indonesia and are generally not structured for children without Indonesian language fluency. That said, some long-term expat families who speak Indonesian or who want deep cultural immersion do choose local schools successfully, and the cost difference is dramatic: local schools are largely free or charge nominal fees of Rp 50,000 to Rp 500,000 per month.

Well-established international schools in Bali include Green School (famous for its eco-focused bamboo campus in Sibang Kaja near Ubud), Bali Island School (BIS) in Sanur, Montessori School of Bali in Kerobokan, Dyatmika School in Sanur, Canggu Community School (CCS), and YKBIS (Yayasan Kesamaan Bali International School). Each follows a different curriculum: BIS and Dyatmika offer the International Baccalaureate (IB), Green School blends its own global project-based curriculum with IB, and CCS follows a more international blended approach. Checking which curriculum fits your family's eventual return country is critical.

School fees at established international schools in Bali typically range from around Rp 80,000,000 to Rp 350,000,000 per year (roughly USD 5,000 to USD 22,000), depending on the school and year level, as of 2026. Please confirm current rates directly with each school as fees increase annually. On top of annual tuition, most international schools charge a one-time registration or enrolment fee ranging from Rp 5,000,000 to Rp 30,000,000, and a capital levy or building fund of Rp 10,000,000 to Rp 80,000,000. These upfront costs can be a surprise, so budget for them well before your move.

Bilingual schools such as Dyatmika and several newer campuses in Canggu and Seminyak occupy a middle ground: they blend an Indonesian national curriculum with English instruction and international standards. Fees at these schools are generally lower than full international schools, running roughly Rp 40,000,000 to Rp 120,000,000 per year. Families planning to stay long term in Indonesia, or who want their children to be genuinely bilingual, often find bilingual schools to be the best value option without sacrificing quality.

Enrolment at international schools in Bali typically requires the following documents: a copy of the child's passport, a copy of the parent or guardian's passport and visa (usually a KITAS or KITAP for residency), the child's birth certificate, the most recent school reports or transcripts from the previous school, immunisation records, and a passport-sized photo. Some schools also require a placement test or informal assessment before confirming a place, particularly for older students. It is wise to begin collecting these documents at least two months before your intended start date.

Most international schools in Bali operate on a Northern Hemisphere academic calendar, running from August or September through to June or July with breaks at Christmas and Easter. Green School is a notable exception as it has shifted to align more closely with this schedule after years of experimentation. If your child is arriving mid-year from the Southern Hemisphere (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa), expect a semester mismatch and discuss with the school how they handle mid-year enrolments, which most do accommodate.

To begin the enrolment process, contact the school admissions office directly via their official website. Most schools have a formal inquiry form. After the initial inquiry, you will usually be invited for a school tour and parent interview, followed by submission of documents, payment of the registration fee to secure the place, and then a student assessment if required. Popular schools such as Green School and Canggu Community School can have waiting lists, particularly for younger year levels, so apply as early as possible, ideally six to twelve months before your intended move.

It is worth understanding the visa situation as it relates to school enrolment. Children on a tourist visa (VOA) can attend school in Bali, but for long-term families the appropriate pathway is a Dependent KITAS (Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas) linked to the parent's sponsored KITAS. Some schools will ask for evidence of legal residency status before confirming enrolment. Consult a reputable visa agent in Bali, as the requirements and processes change periodically and vary depending on your nationality and your own work or retirement visa type.

Beyond the big-name campuses, Bali's expat community has seen a rise in smaller progressive schools and learning hubs, particularly around Canggu and Ubud. These include nature-based schools, Waldorf-inspired programs, and microschools catering to digital nomad families. Fees at these institutions vary enormously but can be more flexible and affordable. Quality and accreditation vary widely too, so ask specifically whether the school is registered with the Indonesian Ministry of Education and whether its qualifications are recognised internationally if that matters for your family.

For families on tighter budgets or those whose children are already proficient in Bahasa Indonesia, Indonesian national private schools (sekolah swasta) are a legitimate option. Schools such as SMAN 1 Denpasar and various private Islamic or Catholic schools have good academic reputations locally. Costs are very low compared to international schools, often Rp 3,000,000 to Rp 20,000,000 per year. However, the language barrier and curriculum differences from Western systems mean this path suits only a specific subset of expat children.

Finally, homeschooling and hybrid learning are increasingly common among Bali's digital nomad families and long-term expats. Indonesian law does allow registered homeschooling under certain conditions, and many families combine an accredited online curriculum (such as Acellus, Calvert, or an Australian state distance education program) with part-time attendance at local enrichment classes, sports programs, or coworking learning hubs. This approach can dramatically reduce costs while maintaining academic continuity, especially for families who move frequently.