Most visitors to Indonesia land in Bali, and many continue to Lombok and the Gili Islands, Komodo, the volcanoes of Java or the reefs of Raja Ampat. Coverage is good in towns and resort areas, where ride-hailing apps, maps and messaging carry most of the trip. Between the islands, on boats and in the mountains, the signal is less reliable. Indonesia is not part of the EU's Roam Like at Home area, and European plans usually charge roaming by the day.
Key facts for Indonesia
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: Telkomsel, XL Axiata, Smartfren, Indosat (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: police 110 or 112, ambulance 118 or 119, fire 113
- Embassies: in Jakarta, with consulates in Bali, Surabaya and Medan for some countries
Before you land
All international visitors must complete the All Indonesia e-Arrival Card on the official immigration portal, and doing it within 72 hours before arrival saves time at the airport. Visitors to Bali also pay a tourism levy, online on the official Love Bali website or at counters on arrival.
Bali: ride-hailing and the Day of Silence
Grab and Gojek cover cars, scooter taxis and food delivery across Bali's main areas, although in a few places local drivers' associations do not allow app pick-ups. On Nyepi, Bali's Day of Silence, usually in March, the island stops for 24 hours: the airport closes, everyone stays indoors, and mobile data on Bali's networks is switched off, while fibre Wi-Fi in hotels keeps working.
Islands, boats and volcanoes
Fast boats link Bali with Lombok and the Gili Islands; at sea and on the smaller islands the signal can drop, so save your tickets and the boat company's number before boarding. On volcano treks such as Rinjani, Bromo or Ijen, coverage is patchy and access can close when activity rises, so check the current alert level and go with a licensed guide.
Long stays and phone registration
If you stay longer than 90 days and use an Indonesian SIM, your phone's IMEI must be registered with customs, or it can stop working on local networks.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM installs at home with a QR code and starts its validity with the first connection in Indonesia. Your usual number keeps receiving texts and bank codes, while Grab, Gojek and maps use the eSIM's data.
Indonesian prepaid SIMs are sold at the airports, and they are registered with your passport.
Consular protection: who to call in Indonesia
- 110 or 112 reaches the police, 118 or 119 an ambulance and 113 the fire service.
- Embassies are in Jakarta, and some countries also have consulates in Bali, Surabaya or Medan. The Telcomia app shows yours, with address and phone.
- If you are an EU citizen and your country has no embassy or consulate in Indonesia, the embassy of any other EU country must help you on the same terms as its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- Emergency phrases in Indonesian are ready to show on screen in the app.
Indonesia travel-safety page →
Questions travellers ask about Indonesia
Does my phone work during Nyepi in Bali?
Mobile data on Bali's networks is switched off for 24 hours; fibre Wi-Fi in hotels keeps working.
Do I need to fill in anything before arriving?
Yes, the All Indonesia e-Arrival Card, and in Bali the tourism levy.
Which networks does a Telcomia eSIM use in Indonesia?
Telkomsel or XL Axiata on most plans, and Smartfren or Indosat on some, with 4G and 5G where available.
Which app do I use for taxis in Bali?
Grab or Gojek, which show the fare before you book.
The short version
Complete the e-Arrival Card, pay the Bali levy, install the eSIM before you fly, plan around Nyepi, and save 112 and 118.
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