If you’ve been browsing property listings in Bali, you’ve probably seen this magical phrase:

✅ “Leasehold 99 years”

And your brain instantly goes:

“Wait… 99 years?? That’s basically forever.”

Honestly? You’re not wrong 😄
But there are a few important details to know before you start planning your retirement villa + daily coconut routine.

Let’s break down what a 99-year lease in Bali really means, who it’s best for, and why it’s become one of the most popular property options for foreigners.

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What is a 99-year leasehold in Bali?

A 99-year leasehold means you get the legal right to use and control a property (land and/or villa) for 99 years under a lease agreement.

You don’t own the land forever like freehold…
…but you get a very long-term right to use it.

In real life, this is often marketed as:

• “Long lease property”
• “99-year lease”
• “Leasehold 99 years guaranteed”
• “Leasehold with extension option”

And for many buyers, it’s the closest thing to ownership in Bali that still makes sense financially.

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Why 99-year leasehold is popular in Bali

Because it gives you the best combo of:

✅ long-term security
✅ lower entry price compared to freehold
✅ easier access for foreigners
✅ strong resale potential

If 25–30 year leases feel too short for your long-term plan, a 99-year lease is the “sweet spot” where people feel confident:

You’re not renting… you’re building something.

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Is 99-year leasehold basically freehold?

From a lifestyle perspective: almost yes.
From a legal perspective: still no.

Here’s the simplest way to think about it:

Freehold = you own the land permanently

99-year leasehold = you control it long enough that it behaves like ownership

Most people buying in Bali aren’t planning to hold property for 99 years anyway.

So practically, it can feel very close to freehold in terms of:

• long-term stability
• being able to renovate
• operating a rental business
• reselling later

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Who benefits the most from a 99-year lease in Bali?

1) The “I want to live in Bali long-term” buyer

If you see Bali as your long-term base and want a home that feels stable, a 99-year lease is ideal.

You can settle in without constantly thinking about:

“Is my lease going to run out?”

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2) Serious investors who want long runway

The longer the lease, the stronger the investment fundamentals.

Because you’re not just buying an asset — you’re buying time.

A 99-year lease gives you the runway to:

📈 rent it for decades
🔁 sell later with tons of years remaining
🏡 build a strong brand (especially for villa rentals)

This is why long leases tend to attract more confident buyers.

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3) People who care about resale value

In Bali, resale is mostly a game of:

How many years are left on the lease?

So a 99-year lease makes reselling easier because even after 10–20 years… it’s still a long lease.

Example:

If you sell after 15 years, the buyer still gets 84 years remaining — which still sounds amazing.

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4) Buyers who want “safe long-term control” without freehold complexity

Trying to chase freehold in Bali (especially as a foreigner) can get complicated.

A 99-year lease can be attractive because it’s often:

✅ more straightforward
✅ easier to understand
✅ clearer in timeline and rights
✅ commonly used in foreign buyer structures

It’s not always simple, but it’s usually simpler than trying to mimic freehold ownership.

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Why 99-year leasehold is often more expensive than 25–30 year leasehold

Because time is valuable.

You’re paying for:

• long-term certainty
• higher resale confidence
• better investment appeal
• less renewal pressure

So you’ll usually see:

💰 99-year leasehold price > 30-year leasehold price
(but still usually less than true freehold in many cases)

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Important: Not all “99-year leases” are structured the same

This part matters a lot.

Some listings say “99 years” but the contract might actually be:

⚠️ 25 years + extension option (up to 99)

Meaning it’s not 99 years locked in today — it’s phased.

Common structures:

• 25 + 25 + 25 + 24
• 30 + 30 + 30 + 9
• 35 + 30 + 30 + 4

That can still be okay!
But buyers should confirm whether the lease is:

✅ fully granted upfront
or
✅ renewable later (and under what terms)

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A quick checklist before buying a 99-year leasehold in Bali ✅

Before you fall in love with the villa, check these:

✅ Is it 99 years guaranteed in the contract, or “extendable”?
✅ Who is the lessor (land owner) and is it clearly stated?
✅ Are there terms on renewal pricing and process?
✅ Is the property allowed to be rented short-term (if that’s your plan)?
✅ Does the contract allow renovations / rebuilding?
✅ Is the lease registered properly and transferable?

Even with a 99-year lease, paperwork matters.

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Bottom line: Is a 99-year leasehold worth it?

For many buyers in Bali: yes.

A 99-year lease is one of the best options for:

✅ long-term lifestyle buyers
✅ serious investors
✅ foreign buyers who want stability
✅ people who want strong resale options

It’s long enough to feel like ownership — without paying the full premium or legal complexity of freehold.

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Find long-lease options faster with Estad

At Estad, we aggregate extensive property options from renowned Bali real estate companies — so you don’t have to jump between a million websites to find the right leasehold deal. Browse smarter, compare faster, and find your Bali villa with less stress.

You can checkout these 99 years lease options!