Everyday money
Open a bank account in Indonesia
Compare account-opening routes at BCA, BRI, Mandiri and BNI, including ID checks, deposits and product charges.
English edition. Official forms and source documents may be in Indonesian.
QUICK ANSWER
How do I open a bank account in Indonesia?
Indonesian citizens generally need a KTP-el, active phone number and employment or tax details if requested. BCA uses myBCA, BRI BRImo, Mandiri Livin and BNI wondr. Opening deposit, minimum balance and monthly fees depend on the account product. Under OJK Regulation (POJK) 8/2023, banks may verify identity in person, by live video call or electronically against population data and biometrics. Foreign nationals use a passport plus an immigration document such as a KITAS or KITAP. Since POJK 24/2025 took effect, an account with no deposit, withdrawal or balance check for more than 360 days becomes inactive.
See 22 official references ↓Open the official service ↗www.bca.co.id
Guide contents
What you need to open a bank account in Indonesia
- KTP-el and NIK matching Dukcapil records.
- Phone, email, smartphone camera and tax number if requested or held.
How to open a bank account in Indonesia
Choose the account product
Compare savings purpose, debit card, ATM access, opening deposit, monthly fee and minimum balance in each product summary.
Use the bank’s official channel
Download from the bank’s own site or visit a branch; avoid app files sent by message.
Complete identity checks
Photograph the KTP-el, enter details and complete selfie or video verification if required.
Activate and keep terms
Make the displayed opening deposit, activate access and keep the product fee summary.
How much it costs to open a bank account in Indonesia
Opening charges and deposits vary by product. There is no single fee for every BCA, BRI, Mandiri or BNI account; inspect the product information sheet first.
| Account type | Who it is for | Main documents | Deposit and balance | Admin fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online example: Mandiri Tabungan Now via Livin' | Citizens with a KTP-el; foreigners domiciled in Indonesia with ITAS/ITAP or a Golden Visa | KTP-el, or passport and ITAS/ITAP | Opening deposit Rp100,000; minimum balance Rp25,000 | Rp5,000 a month plus a card fee of Rp1,000–Rp8,500 |
| Branch example: BCA Tahapan | Citizens and foreigners aged 17 and over | KTP-el and NPWP or a statement (citizens); passport and KITAS/KITAP (foreigners) | Opening deposit Rp500,000; Rp50,000 held balance | Rp14,000–Rp20,000 a month depending on card |
| Basic Savings Account (BSA, Laku Pandai) | Individual citizens with no other savings account | KTP-el | No minimum; maximum balance Rp20,000,000; debits up to Rp5,000,000 a month | Rp0 for monthly admin, opening and closing |
| SimPel/SimPel iB | Indonesian pupils from pre-school to senior high | Student card, birth certificate and a parent’s KTP (varies by bank) | Opening deposit Rp5,000 (sharia Rp1,000); maximum balance Rp20,000,000 | Rp0 |
Check current requirements, availability and charges through the official reference ↗ before applying or paying.
Four major-bank routes
BCA myBCA describes account choice, document upload and video verification. Mandiri Livin explains citizen and resident-foreigner criteria. BRI provides BRImo account opening, and BNI offers opening through wondr.
Opening an account in an app: KTP-el, selfie and video call
POJK 8/2023 on anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorist-financing programmes lets banks verify new customers in three ways: in person, face to face by live online video, or electronically without a face-to-face meeting. Remote verification must use population data and at least two authentication factors: something the customer is (such as their face) and something they have (such as the phone that receives the OTP).
The identity document for Indonesian citizens is the KTP or the digital population identity (IKD). Banks must also ask for details such as address, occupation, marital status, mother’s maiden name, source of funds, average annual income and the purpose of the account (POJK 8/2023, Articles 25 and 26).
Examples of official journeys: myBCA asks you to create a BCA ID, upload documents, give employment and tax details, then complete a video call. Livin' by Mandiri photographs the KTP-el, matches your NIK and mother’s maiden name, checks SMS and email OTPs, then runs a face check; after three failed face checks you must continue at a branch. Livin is only for people with no existing Mandiri product, and the account becomes active once verification passes and the opening deposit arrives.
Banks also ask for a tax-residence self-certification, kept separate from the other account-opening documents, under Minister of Finance Regulation (PMK) 108/2025 on access to financial information for tax purposes. Complete it accurately, as the bank must check it against your identity data.
Requirements for foreigners: passport, KITAS/KITAP and tax declaration
POJK 8/2023, Article 26, sets the identity document for foreign nationals as a passport together with an immigration document; the elucidation gives a stay-permit card as the example. The identity number the bank records is the passport number. Members of the Indonesian diaspora may use a passport and the Overseas Indonesian Community Card (Kartu Masyarakat Indonesia di Luar Negeri).
Banks’ published requirements follow this pattern. BCA’s Tahapan product page asks foreigners living in Indonesia for a passport and KITAS/KITAP, and foreigners not living in Indonesia for other documents under the bank’s AML/CFT guidelines. Livin' by Mandiri opens accounts online for foreigners domiciled in Indonesia with a passport and ITAS/ITAP or a Golden Visa. BNI’s Taplus product summary (RIPLAY, March 2024 version) lists a passport and KIMS/KITAS/KITAP.
In BCA’s list, the tax number (NPWP) is required from Indonesian citizens; citizens without one can sign a statement that they have no NPWP instead. Every applicant, including foreigners, completes the tax-residence self-certification. The bank may still refuse an application that does not meet its requirements.
Student, child and basic savings accounts
Student Savings (SimPel/SimPel iB) is an account for Indonesian pupils from pre-school to senior high school or equivalent. OJK’s standard model sets an opening deposit of Rp5,000 (conventional) or Rp1,000 (sharia), later deposits from Rp1,000, no admin fee and a maximum balance of Rp20,000,000. Pupils do not need a KTP; banks usually ask for a student card, birth certificate, form and a parent’s KTP. Accounts can be opened through a school that works with a bank, or at a branch with a parent or guardian.
SimPel and Children’s Savings form OJK’s One Student One Account programme (KEJAR). According to OJK in August 2025, almost 88% of pupils, or 58.32 million, already had a savings account. Other child accounts follow each bank’s rules; for example, BCA requires a parent or guardian to act for children under 12, while children aged 12 to under 17 can open an account with a student card or Child Identity Card and a parent’s statement.
The Basic Savings Account (Tabungan Dasar, BSA) in the Laku Pandai branchless-banking programme is governed by POJK 1/POJK.03/2022. It is only for individual Indonesian citizens with no other savings account, is in rupiah, has no minimum deposit or balance, a maximum balance of Rp20,000,000 and withdrawals or outgoing transfers of up to Rp5,000,000 a month. It is free of monthly admin, opening, cash-deposit, incoming-transfer and closing fees. The old rule that a BSA could become dormant after 6 months was revoked by POJK 24/2025; basic savings accounts are now classed as active.
Inactive and dormant accounts, and the 2025 PPATK freeze
On 15 May 2025 the financial intelligence unit PPATK temporarily stopped transactions on accounts classed as dormant in banks’ February 2025 data, using its powers under Law 8/2010 on money laundering. It said old, unmonitored accounts were widely used to hold money from online gambling, fraud and other crime. According to PPATK, its analysis of the 122 million affected accounts was completed on 31 July 2025, more than 100 million accounts (90%) were active again, and further reactivation was left to each bank. The money remains the customer’s.
The current rule is POJK 24/2025 on Account Management at Commercial Banks, in force since 10 November 2025; banks had until 10 May 2026 to adjust their policies and systems. Current and savings accounts fall into three classes: active; inactive after more than 360 days with no deposit, withdrawal or balance check; and dormant after more than 1,800 days. Interest, tax deductions, admin fees and standing-order debits made by the bank’s system do not count as activity.
On an inactive account, withdrawals are switched off and you reactivate it through the bank’s channels. On a dormant account, withdrawals and deposits are switched off, incoming transfers are rejected and reactivation needs customer due diligence; the bank may refuse if there are suspicious transactions or doubtful data. Money in a dormant account can never become the bank’s, and the bank manages it for up to 30 years.
Accounts held for a specific purpose, such as basic savings, hajj savings, pension accounts and government-programme accounts (for example social assistance or KUR loans), and fixed-term savings plans are classed as active. Customers must check their balance at least once every 360 days and keep their address, email and phone number up to date with the bank. According to OJK’s FAQ, opening mobile banking counts as a balance check only if the balance is shown without an extra tap.
Things to check carefully
- Never share OTPs, PINs or passwords with staff or intermediaries.
- Child, foreign-resident and business accounts have different requirements.
- Do not leave an account at zero for long. POJK 24/2025 requires banks to close current and savings accounts automatically after a nil balance of up to 6 months, except certain accounts such as loan-repayment or government-programme accounts.
- Never sell, rent out or lend your account or identity. PPATK found more than 28,000 traded accounts used for online-gambling deposits in 2024, and POJK 24/2025 requires customers to act in good faith, including not trading accounts.
- Interest above the LPS guarantee rate, or more than Rp2 billion in total at one bank, means your savings are not fully guaranteed by LPS.
Frequently asked questions
Which bank is cheapest?
Compare actual products and your transaction pattern; monthly fees and balance rules vary within one bank.
Can a foreigner open a bank account in Indonesia?
Yes, if you meet the bank’s identity requirements. POJK 8/2023 sets a foreigner’s identity document as a passport plus an immigration document, such as a stay-permit card (KITAS/KITAP). Published examples: BCA Tahapan and Livin' by Mandiri ask for a passport and ITAS/ITAP (Mandiri also accepts a Golden Visa), while BNI’s Taplus summary lists a passport and KIMS/KITAS/KITAP. Also have a phone number, an Indonesian address and details of your job or source of funds ready.
Can I open an Indonesian bank account on a tourist visa?
Usually not, because the major banks’ published requirements ask for a KITAS or KITAP. POJK 8/2023 requires a passport plus an immigration document, and Livin' by Mandiri only serves foreigners domiciled in Indonesia with ITAS/ITAP or a Golden Visa. BCA mentions other documents for non-resident foreigners under its AML/CFT guidelines, so the decision rests with the bank and it may refuse. Ask the bank directly before you visit.
What is the minimum balance for a savings account?
There is no single figure for all banks; each product sets its own minimum. Examples from official pages: Mandiri Tabungan Now via Livin needs a Rp100,000 opening deposit and a Rp25,000 minimum balance, BCA Tahapan holds Rp50,000, conventional SimPel needs Rp5,000, and the Basic Savings Account has no minimum. POJK 24/2025 bans admin fees that push a balance below zero, but an account with a nil balance for up to 6 months can be closed automatically.
What is a dormant account and why did PPATK freeze them?
A dormant account now means one with no deposit, withdrawal or balance check for more than 1,800 days (POJK 24/2025); before that point, an account idle for more than 360 days is inactive. On 15 May 2025 PPATK temporarily stopped transactions on accounts banks had classed as dormant, because such accounts were often misused for online gambling, fraud and money laundering. It was not a seizure; in its 9 August 2025 press release PPATK said more than 100 million accounts were active again and the rest were being handled by banks.
How do I reactivate an inactive or dormant account?
Apply for reactivation through the bank’s official channels, such as a branch, the app or customer service. A balance check or incoming transfer does not reactivate the account by itself (OJK FAQ on POJK 24/2025). An inactive account needs only simple checks, while a dormant account needs customer due diligence, so bring your ID and proof that the account is yours. The bank may refuse if there are signs of suspicious transactions or you refuse to give information.
Can a child or student have an account in their own name?
Yes. SimPel/SimPel iB is available to Indonesian pupils from pre-school to senior high school without a KTP, with an opening deposit of Rp5,000 (Rp1,000 for sharia) and no admin fee. Banks usually ask for a student card, birth certificate and a parent’s KTP. Ordinary child accounts follow each bank’s rules; for example, BCA requires a parent or guardian to act for children under 12.
How much of my money does LPS guarantee?
The Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS) guarantees up to Rp2 billion per customer per bank. All your balances at the same bank are added together, including interest already due to you. The deposit must also be recorded by the bank, pay no more than the LPS guarantee rate, and you must not be suspected or proven to have committed fraud. The commercial-bank guarantee rate for 1 October 2026–31 January 2027 is 3.75% (rupiah) and 2.00% (foreign currency).
Sources and review
Editorial review of public information: . This is not a review by an agency officer or a professional adviser. Reviewed by Kaiser Khan, publisher of Panduan Warga. Official document titles are retained below.
- BCA: cara buka rekening online ↗www.bca.co.id · Accessed 25 September 2026
- Mandiri: pembukaan Livin ↗www.bankmandiri.co.id · Accessed 25 September 2026
- BRI: pembukaan tabungan BRImo ↗bri.co.id · Accessed 25 September 2026
- BNI: tabungan wondr ↗wondr.bni.co.id · Accessed 25 September 2026
- OJK: POJK 8/2023 tentang APU, PPT, dan PPPSPM di sektor jasa keuangan ↗ojk.go.id · Accessed 25 September 2026
- JDIH BPK: POJK 8/2023 (status berlaku) ↗peraturan.bpk.go.id · Accessed 25 September 2026
- JDIH BPK: POJK 24/2025 tentang Pengelolaan Rekening pada Bank Umum ↗peraturan.bpk.go.id · Accessed 25 September 2026
- OJK: siaran pers POJK 24/2025 (19 November 2025) ↗ojk.go.id · Accessed 25 September 2026
- OJK: FAQ POJK 24/2025 ↗www.ojk.go.id · Accessed 25 September 2026
- JDIH BPK: POJK 1/POJK.03/2022 tentang Laku Pandai ↗peraturan.bpk.go.id · Accessed 25 September 2026
- PPATK: penghentian sementara transaksi rekening dormant (18 Mei 2025) ↗www.ppatk.go.id · Accessed 25 September 2026
- PPATK: perlindungan pemilik sah rekening (29 Juli 2025) ↗www.ppatk.go.id · Accessed 25 September 2026
- PPATK: analisis rekening dormant rampung (9 Agustus 2025) ↗www.ppatk.go.id · Accessed 25 September 2026
- OJK Sikapi Uangmu: menabung SimPel untuk pelajar ↗sikapiuangmu.ojk.go.id · Accessed 25 September 2026
- OJK: model standar SimPel/SimPel iB 2020 ↗ojk.go.id · Accessed 25 September 2026
- OJK: siaran pers Hari Indonesia Menabung 2025 dan KEJAR ↗ojk.go.id · Accessed 25 September 2026
- LPS: FAQ nilai simpanan yang dijamin ↗lps.go.id · Accessed 25 September 2026
- LPS: simpanan yang dijamin dan syarat 3T ↗lps.go.id · Accessed 25 September 2026
- BCA: produk Tahapan (syarat WNI dan WNA) ↗www.bca.co.id · Accessed 25 September 2026
- BNI: RIPLAY Taplus versi umum ↗www.bni.co.id · Accessed 25 September 2026
- DJP: kewajiban self-certification CRS berdasarkan PMK 108/2025 ↗www.pajak.go.id · Accessed 25 September 2026
- LPS: PENG-7/DSPB/2026 tingkat bunga penjaminan bank umum ↗lps.go.id · Accessed 1 October 2026
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