Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner buy freehold land on Sumba?
No. Freehold (Hak Milik, shown as SHM) is only for Indonesian citizens and some domestic entities. Foreigners and PT PMAs cannot hold it. Many Sumba listings say 'freehold', so they need conversion or another structure.
Sources: dfdl.com
How can a foreigner own a home on Sumba?
A foreigner with residence status can hold a house on Hak Pakai (right of use). It runs for 30 years, extendable by 20 and renewable by 30, about 80 years in total.
Sources: raywhite.co.id, dfdl.com
How big a plot can I hold on Hak Pakai?
One plot per person or family, up to 2,000 m2, and the house must be classed as a luxury dwelling. Land for a resort or a large tract cannot be held this way.
Sources: thejakartapost.com, raywhite.co.id
Is there a minimum price for foreigners?
Yes, for a house on Hak Pakai. The decree sets IDR 1bn for 'other provinces', which NTT appears to fall into. NTT is not named explicitly, so this is not verified. Check the current decree with a notary or PPAT.
Sources: hukumonline.com
Do I need a KITAS to buy?
In principle a passport or visa is enough under the 2021 regulation. In 2023 a ministry official said regional land offices often still ask for a KITAS or KITAP, and Ray White (2025) still describes a residence permit as required. Practice at the Sumba land offices has not been verified.
Sources: thejakartapost.com, raywhite.co.id
How long is a lease on Sumba?
Leases are typically written for 25 to 30 years. Several Sumba developers advertise 78 to 90 year leases. Whether very long or pre-agreed extension terms can be enforced depends on the contract, so get a legal review.
Sources: dfdl.com, realting.com, video.aplaceinthesun.com
Is a lease as safe as a title?
No. A lease is a contract, not a land title. It is weaker than HGB or Hak Pakai for financing, security and resale.
Sources: dfdl.com
Can I build a villa or hotel business?
The main vehicle is a foreign-owned company (PT PMA) holding HGB for 30 years, extendable by 20 and renewable by 30. Extension depends on compliance and zoning.
Sources: dfdl.com
How much capital does a PT PMA need?
Since October 2025 the minimum paid-up capital is IDR 2.5bn per company, and it must stay in the company account for 12 months except for permitted uses. The total investment plan must still exceed IDR 10bn per 5-digit KBLI per location, excluding land and buildings, with some sector exceptions.
Sources: aoshearman.com
Can I put the land in an Indonesian friend's name?
No. A nominee structure is legally ineffective, cannot be enforced and is high risk.
Sources: dfdl.com
How much does land cost on Sumba?
Asking prices vary a lot and samples are small. In our data the median asking price is about IDR 350,000 per m2 on the Kodi coast, about IDR 213,000 per m2 around Wanokaka and Nihi, and about IDR 86,000 per m2 on the remote East Sumba south coast. These are asking prices, not sale prices.
Sources: lazudi.com, rumah123.com, sumbasands.com
How do I get to Sumba?
There are no international flights. You fly in via Bali, Kupang, Lombok or Surabaya. Denpasar to Tambolaka (TMC) has about 3 flights a day and takes about 1 hour. Waingapu (WGP) has flights from Lombok, Kupang and, partly seasonal, Denpasar. Schedules change often.
Sources: flightconnections.com, flightconnections.com, flightconnections.com
Which airport is closer to my area?
Tambolaka (TMC) serves the west: Kodi, Tambolaka town and the Wanokaka and Nihi coast. Waingapu (WGP) serves East Sumba. The road from Tambolaka to Waingapu is 168 km, about 2 h 24 min.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, rome2rio.com
Is there good internet?
Telkomsel has the widest mobile coverage. XL works in Waingapu and Waikabubak but drops off in rural areas. Data is slow or absent at many beaches and villages. Starlink is sold in Indonesia, with residential plans from IDR 479k a month in July 2025.
Sources: backindo.com, teknologi.bisnis.com
Is there electricity on the land?
Province-wide, PLN reports power in 96.5% of households in NTT. No Sumba figure was found. In many listings power runs along the main road and must be connected to the plot at the buyer's expense.
Sources: listrikindonesia.com, nicobalivillas.com
Is water a problem?
Clean water is scarce in parts of Southwest Sumba. A 2026 report describes new clean-water access there, and a news headline reports residents walking about 6 km for water. Plan your water source before you buy.
Sources: goodnewsfromindonesia.id, popmama.com
What hospitals are there?
There are public regional hospitals in several regencies: RSUD Waikabubak (West), RSUD Waibakul (Central) and the main regional hospital in Waingapu (East). RS Karitas in Weetebula, near Tambolaka, has limited resources. The Sumba Foundation runs a free clinic near Nihiwatu.
Sources: setneg.go.id, sippn.menpan.go.id, fairfuturefoundation.org
Are there international schools?
We found no international school on Sumba. Schooling is in local Indonesian schools, and families typically look to Bali. We found no source for this, so please verify.
How much does it cost to build?
No Sumba cost per m2 was found. The 2025 construction cost index for Southwest Sumba is 92.26, slightly below Surabaya. As a Bali reference from 2023, building ran about IDR 6M per m2 very basic up to IDR 15M luxury. Remote sites usually add logistics costs.
Sources: databoks.katadata.co.id, abrotherabroad.com