PT PMA in Lombok: The Complete Guide for Foreign Property Buyers (2026)

A PT PMA (Perseroan Terbatas Penanaman Modal Asing) is a foreign-owned Indonesian limited liability company. It is one of the most solid legal structures available to foreigners who want to hold property in Lombok. Here is everything you need to know.

What a PT PMA allows you to do

Through a PT PMA, a foreign investor can hold Hak Guna Bangunan (HGB — right to build) on Indonesian land. This is a full commercial title that allows construction, rental, and sale. The company can be 100% foreign-owned in property-related sectors.

Unlike a leasehold agreement, an HGB title held by a PT PMA is a registered land right at the National Land Agency (BPN), which offers significantly stronger legal protection.

What it costs

Setting up a PT PMA in Lombok costs approximately €1,500 in notarial and government registration fees. This includes drafting the deed of establishment, registering with the Ministry of Investment (BKPM/OSS system), obtaining a NIB (business registration number), and registering for tax.

This is a one-time cost. Ongoing compliance — annual financial reporting and tax filing — typically costs €300–600 per year if handled by a local accountant.

Timeline

A straightforward PT PMA registration currently takes 3 to 6 weeks from start to completion through Indonesia's Online Single Submission (OSS) system. Complex shareholder structures or specific sector classifications can extend this.

Requirements

• At least 2 shareholders (can be foreign individuals or corporate entities)
• At least 1 director and 1 commissioner (can be the same foreign individual)
• A registered Indonesian business address
• Minimum paid-up capital: varies by sector — for property, this is typically IDR 10 billion (~€600,000), but there are legal structures and sub-sectors where this threshold applies differently. Consult a local notaris for your specific situation.

When a PT PMA makes sense

For a single villa leasehold under €200,000, a PT PMA is usually overkill. The setup and compliance cost is justified when you are:

• Developing land (building to sell or rent)
• Acquiring multiple properties under one structure
• Planning a commercial hospitality project
• Seeking the strongest possible title for a high-value acquisition

For most individual foreign buyers entering the Lombok market for the first time, a well-structured leasehold through a reputable notaris is simpler and cheaper. The PT PMA is the right tool when you are scaling up.

The risk of skipping it

Some buyers in Lombok have acquired property through informal nominee arrangements — an Indonesian friend or business partner holds the title on their behalf. This is illegal, unenforceable in court, and exposes you to total loss if the relationship breaks down. A PT PMA eliminates this exposure entirely.