Finding a Pet-Friendly Rental in Bali

Bali is one of those rare places that lives up to the reputation of a relaxed, beautiful and affordable place to live. For digital nomads and long-term expats, it's become a serious base and for many the appeal includes bringing a pet along.

The good news is that daily life in Bali for pet owners is genuinely easy. Once you're settled, whether in Canggu, Ubud, Sanur or Seminyak, the island is relaxed about animals in a way that most Asian cities aren't. The harder parts come before that: getting your pet there and finding a rental that will actually take them.

Getting your pet to Bali requires more lead time than most people expect. Indonesia only permits pet imports from rabies-free countries. As of 2025, that list includes Australia, New Zealand and a number of European nations. Direct entry into Bali isn't allowed; animals must arrive via Jakarta or Surabaya, where quarantine is mandatory. If you're planning to bring a pet, start the process at least three to six months out. It's not impossible, but it's not something you can leave until the month before you move.

On the rental side, the picture is more mixed than Bali's reputation suggests. Many villas - including ones that were previously relaxed about pets - have moved toward formal no-pet policies in recent years. For larger dogs in particular, the search needs to be deliberate. Seminyak tends to work well, with an active expat community and decent veterinary access. Jimbaran is worth considering too, with more spacious properties, larger gardens and better fencing than you'll find in the denser, trendier neighbourhoods.

What Paws & Keys will do here

The gap between Bali's pet-friendly reputation and the reality of finding a verified, pet-welcoming long-term rental is significant. We're expanding our verified database to Bali to confirm villa and apartment pet policies directly before listing. If you're planning a move in Bali with a pet, get in touch we'll be in touch as soon as we're operational in the city.