Can foreigners really buy land in Indonesia?

Not freehold, and not directly — that is the honest answer, and it is where a lot of island plans quietly fail. Foreign nationals cannot hold Hak Milik (freehold) title. There are legitimate structures for foreign-led projects, and the right one depends on the project. I am an Indonesian citizen, so I buy and hold land on these islands directly, through the legal path open to me, and then develop and operate it. Structuring this correctly is part of the work, not a detail to sort out later.

Do you only work on island projects?

Islands are the core of what I do, and where I have gone deepest. But the machinery behind an island resort — securing land, permits, construction in hard places, staffing, operations, and the local network — is the same machinery any serious foreign-led project in Indonesia needs. So island and resort projects come first, but I take on other foreign-led projects in Indonesia when the fit is right.

What does the $500 strategic call include?

Direct, specific input on your project: feasibility, how to structure it, land and permits, access, operations, and the next concrete steps. It is priced on the problem it solves, not on how long we talk. It also opens access to the right people in my Indonesian network — notaries, business consultants, government contacts — because in Indonesia that access is often the real bottleneck. The $500 is credited toward any larger engagement that follows. It comes after your application is accepted; if accepted, you will receive a payment link.

Do you take a fee, equity, or both?

Most of the time, a fee. The strategic call and done-for-you development are paid work. Occasionally, where there is genuine strategic alignment, a project becomes a partnership with equity rather than a straight client engagement — but that is rare and decided case by case. I do not push for equity; it only happens when it is clearly right for both sides.

How do I know if my project qualifies?

The test is whether it is real: a specific project, a location in view, a budget you have defined, and a timeline you can actually act on. The application is built to surface exactly that. If it is too early — and plenty are — you will get a straight answer rather than a polite maybe. That is not a no; it usually just means come back when it is further along.

What does done-for-you development involve?

It varies by project. It can cover structure, feasibility, land and access, infrastructure, the build, launch, and operations — drawing on my team and network. We agree scope case by case after your application and an initial call.

How does payment and scheduling work?

Everything starts with the application. If your project is a fit, I come back to you, and for a strategic call you receive a payment link then — the call is booked once it is paid. For done-for-you development, we scope and agree terms before any work begins. Payment is by card.

What if my project is not a fit?

You get a straight answer, and you are welcome to follow the field notes in the meantime. A lot of projects simply need more time before direct work makes sense. “Not yet” is a normal outcome, not a rejection.

Do you only work in Indonesia?

Indonesia is where my experience and network run deepest, so it is where I can actually add value. Projects elsewhere are rarely the right fit. Within Indonesia, island and resort work comes first, but the same approach carries to other foreign-led projects.

Who is Thomas Despin?

Thomas Despin is a French-born Indonesian citizen based in Central Sulawesi. He buys land on remote Indonesian islands, through the legal path open to him as a citizen, and develops and operates it. He is the founder and operator of Reconnect on Buka Buka Island, and works on hospitality, tourism, and infrastructure projects across Indonesia.

Reconnect is an off-grid resort on Buka Buka Island in Central Sulawesi. It runs on its own solar power, desalinated water, and Starlink connectivity, and offers access to the Togean Islands region. It is a resort with diving — more than 30 mapped dive sites nearby — not a dive resort.

Where is Thomas based?

In Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, where Reconnect operates. He works on projects across the country.

FAQ

Questions, answered plainly

The things people actually ask about buying land, building, and working together in Indonesia. Short, honest answers — no sales gloss.

Buying land & working together

Can foreigners really buy land in Indonesia?: Not freehold, and not directly — that is the honest answer, and it is where a lot of island plans quietly fail. Foreign nationals cannot hold Hak Milik (freehold) title. There are legitimate structures for foreign-led projects, and the right one depends on the project. I am an Indonesian citizen, so I buy and hold land on these islands directly, through the legal path open to me, and then develop and operate it. Structuring this correctly is part of the work, not a detail to sort out later.
Do you only work on island projects?: Islands are the core of what I do, and where I have gone deepest. But the machinery behind an island resort — securing land, permits, construction in hard places, staffing, operations, and the local network — is the same machinery any serious foreign-led project in Indonesia needs. So island and resort projects come first, but I take on other foreign-led projects in Indonesia when the fit is right.
What does the $500 strategic call include?: Direct, specific input on your project: feasibility, how to structure it, land and permits, access, operations, and the next concrete steps. It is priced on the problem it solves, not on how long we talk. It also opens access to the right people in my Indonesian network — notaries, business consultants, government contacts — because in Indonesia that access is often the real bottleneck. The $500 is credited toward any larger engagement that follows. It comes after your application is accepted; if accepted, you will receive a payment link.
Do you take a fee, equity, or both?: Most of the time, a fee. The strategic call and done-for-you development are paid work. Occasionally, where there is genuine strategic alignment, a project becomes a partnership with equity rather than a straight client engagement — but that is rare and decided case by case. I do not push for equity; it only happens when it is clearly right for both sides.
How do I know if my project qualifies?: The test is whether it is real: a specific project, a location in view, a budget you have defined, and a timeline you can actually act on. The application is built to surface exactly that. If it is too early — and plenty are — you will get a straight answer rather than a polite maybe. That is not a no; it usually just means come back when it is further along.

Before you apply

What does done-for-you development involve?: It varies by project. It can cover structure, feasibility, land and access, infrastructure, the build, launch, and operations — drawing on my team and network. We agree scope case by case after your application and an initial call.
How does payment and scheduling work?: Everything starts with the application. If your project is a fit, I come back to you, and for a strategic call you receive a payment link then — the call is booked once it is paid. For done-for-you development, we scope and agree terms before any work begins. Payment is by card.
What if my project is not a fit?: You get a straight answer, and you are welcome to follow the field notes in the meantime. A lot of projects simply need more time before direct work makes sense. “Not yet” is a normal outcome, not a rejection.
Do you only work in Indonesia?: Indonesia is where my experience and network run deepest, so it is where I can actually add value. Projects elsewhere are rarely the right fit. Within Indonesia, island and resort work comes first, but the same approach carries to other foreign-led projects.

About Thomas & Reconnect

Who is Thomas Despin?: Thomas Despin is a French-born Indonesian citizen based in Central Sulawesi. He buys land on remote Indonesian islands, through the legal path open to him as a citizen, and develops and operates it. He is the founder and operator of Reconnect on Buka Buka Island, and works on hospitality, tourism, and infrastructure projects across Indonesia.
What is Reconnect?: Reconnect is an off-grid resort on Buka Buka Island in Central Sulawesi. It runs on its own solar power, desalinated water, and Starlink connectivity, and offers access to the Togean Islands region. It is a resort with diving — more than 30 mapped dive sites nearby — not a dive resort.
Where is Thomas based?: In Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, where Reconnect operates. He works on projects across the country.

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