Java – General information

Java and Indonesia – General Information

Unless otherwise stated, the following information refers to Indonesia as a national of which the island of Java is a part – the political, linguistic and infrastructural framework conditions (government, official language, time zones, emergency numbers, etc.) apply uniformly throughout the country.

Indonesia – Area: around 1.905 million km² (land and water area), fourth largest country in Asia. Indonesia – Population: around 285–290 million (as of 2026) – making Indonesia the fourth most populous country in the world after China, India and the USA and the country with the world’s largest Muslim population.

Java – the island itself: With around 138,800 km², Java is only a small part of Indonesia in terms of area, but with over 150 million people, it is home to more than half of the entire Indonesian population – making Java the most populous island in the world.

Capital: Jakarta continues to be the de facto capital and by far the most important economic and governmental center of Indonesia, with around 10–11 million inhabitants in the core area and a metropolitan area (Jabodetabek) of an estimated 32 to over 40 million people – one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. Since Jakarta is increasingly suffering from flooding, traffic gridlock and massive subsidence of the ground (up to 20 cm per year in parts of the city), Indonesia decided in 2019 to build a completely new capital called Nusantara on the island of Borneo (Kalimantan). The first government institutions have been based there since 2024, but the official relocation of the entire government has been delayed and is currently planned for the coming years; Jakarta will remain the economic and cultural center of the country for the time being and the central arrival and departure point for travelers to Java.

Geography: Indonesia consists of the five main islands of Sumatra, Sulawesi, Java, Kalimantan (the Indonesian part of Borneo) and the western provinces of New Guinea (Papua) as well as numerous smaller island groups, including Bali and the Lesser Sunda Islands. In total, Indonesia has over 17,000 islands, the majority of which are uninhabited; the country is located in an active volcanic zone with well over 100 still active volcanoes. The landscapes of the islands vary greatly – from mountain ranges and plateaus to flat coastal plains and alluvial plains.

Form of government: Presidential republic since 1945, constitution of 1945 reformed several times, unicameral parliament (Council of Representatives, DPR) with 580 deputies, supplemented by the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), which also includes the members of the Regional Council (DPD). Current head of state and government (president): Prabowo Subianto, in office since October 2024. Vice-president: Gibran Rakabuming Raka, son of the previous president Joko Widodo (“Jokowi”, in office 2014–2024). Independent since 1945 (internationally recognized in 1949, former Dutch colony “Dutch East Indies”).

Languages: The official language is Bahasa Indonesia. In addition, practically every one of the numerous ethnic groups has its own regional language – a total of several hundred languages and dialects are spoken in Indonesia (in Java, including Javanese and Sundanese as important regional languages). English is the most important foreign language in tourism and business life; Dutch plays a minor role practically only among the oldest generation.

Religions: around 87% Muslims (predominantly Sunni – Indonesia is the country with the world’s largest Muslim population), as well as Christians (approx. 10%), Hindus (approx. 1.7%, concentrated mainly in Bali), Buddhists and followers of nature religions in remote regions. Islam is not the state religion; the constitution officially recognises several religions.

Local time: Indonesia has three time zones. Java, Sumatra, West and Central Kalimantan and Madura are in the West Indonesian time zone WIB: CET + 6 hours (UTC+7), CEST + 5 hours. Central Indonesia (including Bali, East and South Kalimantan, Sulawesi) is one hour later (UTC+8), Eastern Indonesia (including Papua, Moluccas) two hours later (UTC+9).

Mains voltage: 220–230 V, 50 Hz; occasionally 110 V in rural areas. Two-pin round plugs (type C/F) are mainly used.

Telephone: International direct dialing is possible without any problems in larger cities, in smaller towns telephone offices (Wartel) can help, even if these have lost much of their importance due to the spread of smartphones and prepaid data cards. Country code: 62. Area codes: Bandung “022”, Jakarta “021”, Medan “061”, Surabaya “031”. Emergency numbers: 110 (police), 118 (ambulance for traffic accidents), 119 (emergency doctor), 113 (fire brigade); in addition, the nationwide uniform emergency number 112 is now available.

Mobile communications/Internet: Prepaid SIM cards from the major providers Telkomsel, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison and XL Axiata are available practically everywhere at low prices; network coverage is generally good on Java and the tourist centres, but sometimes limited in remote regions of other islands.

Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Due to the high denomination, travelers should quickly get used to the many zeros on site; Card payment is common in cities and larger hotels/restaurants, at markets and in smaller warungs payment is mainly made in cash.

Indonesia – Entry and Visa

German, Austrian and Swiss nationals need a visa to enter Indonesia (including Java and Bali) – visa-free entry is not possible. The most common and straightforward option is the Visa on Arrival (VoA) or its electronic variant e-VOA, which is issued for a stay of 30 days and can be extended once for a further 30 days (maximum 60 days total stay). The fee is the equivalent of around 25-30 euros (500,000 IDR) and can be paid either online in advance (recommended, saves waiting time) or directly at the arrival airport.

The prerequisites are a passport valid for at least 6 months at the time of entry and proof of onward travel. Since October 2025, a digital entry and customs declaration via the “All Indonesia” platform has also been mandatory, which must be completed online before arrival. Since February 2024, anyone visiting Bali exclusively or additionally has had to pay a separate tourist tax of IDR 150,000 (around 9-10 euros), which can be paid online in advance via the official “Love Bali” platform.

For longer stays (study, work, digital nomads, longer “social cultural” stays), there are separate visa categories that must be applied for in advance at the responsible diplomatic mission or online. Since experience has shown that entry regulations change more frequently, travelers should check the current requirements shortly before departure via the official website evisa.imigrasi.go.id and at the Federal Foreign Office.

Java – Climate

Java has a tropical monsoon climate with pronounced regional differences.

The east monsoon brings the driest weather to Java in the months of May to October. The west monsoon carries the rainy season to Java, namely in the months of December to March. In the west of Java, year-round precipitation is to be expected more frequently. It is noticeably cooler in the mountains than in the coastal regions and lowlands.

Java – Country & People

Indonesia has over 700 different languages and dialects, making it one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. Since independence, many Indonesians have developed a strong national pride.

Traditional dances as well as traditional techniques of painting, wood carving and sculpture are still adhered to. Dancing is an important art form in Indonesia and is promoted and practiced from early childhood. The extensive repertoire is based on ancient legends and traditions; performances take place in village halls and village squares, but also in many leading hotels. Among the most famous dances are the Legong, a slow, graceful dance of divine nymphs, the Baris, a fast-paced, loud representation of male, warlike behavior, and the Jauk, a captivating solo dance of a masked and richly costumed demon. In the dramatic Kecak dance with a hundred or more participants, young men dressed only in loincloths act as wild monkeys, subjects of the Hindu monkey god Hanuman – this dance is particularly common in Bali, but is also shown elsewhere in Indonesia.

Indonesian gamelan orchestras consist primarily of various xylophone-like percussion instruments, flutes, and harp-like instruments. These sounds can be heard in many Indonesian shops and restaurants and are part of every dance and shadow theater performance.

Shadow plays are performed nationwide, using the traditional wayang kulit shadow puppets made of wood and leather. The subject of the plays is often the stories of the Ramayana and Mahabharata, famous ancient Hindu legends; modern plays are also shown. For visitors without knowledge of Indonesia, it is often most interesting to sit backstage, as this is the best place to watch the puppeteer at work.

When booking tickets and hotels in Java and Indonesia in general, only the first name is often used. In company, people are often quite formal – at a meal, you should not start eating or drinking before the host asks you to. You should not point your finger at people or objects or touch children’s heads. Food or money in Java is usually taken or given with the right hand.

Indonesians are usually polite and friendly and offer countless favors and friendship services to trusted foreigners. Shaking hands as a greeting is common. If you are invited to a private home, a small gift is welcome. Casual clothing is common in everyday life, but some upscale establishments expect evening wear at mealtimes.

Islamic customs and traditions concerning clothing should be respected, especially by women. Temples should only be entered with sarongs and tops covering shoulders and arms.

Tipping is customary, but not mandatory; in some hotels and restaurants, 10% extra is charged for service.

Java – Food & Drink

Food

Indonesian spices make the local cuisine, which is based on rice (nasi), unmistakable.

There are countless specialties, including Rijsttafel (Indonesian-Dutch mix of a variety of meats, vegetables, salads, fish and curry), Sate (spicy, grilled beef, fish, pork, chicken or lamb on a skewer with peanut sauce), Ayam Goreng (Java; marinated chicken fried in oil), Ikan Acar Kuning (Jakarta; lightly marinated fried fish with a sauce of pickled spices), Soto Ayam (soup with dumplings, vegetables and chicken), Gado-Gado (Java; salad of raw and cooked vegetables with coconut milk and peanut sauce), Pempek (palembang; deep-fried fish balls in warm sweet and sour vinegar sauce), Babi Guling (roasted suckling pig, especially common in Hindu Bali) and Opor Ayam (boiled chicken in mildly spiced coconut milk). Fish and seafood as well as tropical fruit round off the menu.

Indonesians like their food well seasoned; the small red and green chili peppers (cabai), which are often found in salads or vegetable dishes, are particularly hot. In restaurants that are used to foreign tourists, their tastes are usually taken into account. Visitors who like to experiment also like to try the specialties of the numerous street stalls (warungs).

Some warungs are permanently installed and offer tables and benches such as nasi goreng (fried rice with vegetables) or mie goreng (fried noodles) as well as drinks; others consist of a mobile glass and wooden box on wheels, specializing in tahu (tofu) or tempe goreng (deep-fried, fermented soybeans), sata, fruit or sweets. In Jakarta, practically every international cuisine is represented.

Drinks

Local and imported beer is available in almost every restaurant in Java, and there are also spirits in larger restaurants. The alcoholic speciality of Bali is the rice wine Brem, in South Sulawesi the high-proof Tuak. Tea and coffee are usually drunk black and sweet – Indonesia, especially Java and Sumatra, is one of the most important coffee-growing countries in the world, which is reflected in a correspondingly high-quality local coffee culture. Everywhere in Indonesia, many different, extremely tasty fruit juices are also offered, such as pineapple, papaya, avocado and durian juice.

Note: All information on population figures, political offices and entry requirements is subject to change and has been researched to the best of our knowledge as of August 2026. For up-to-date, binding information, it is advisable to take a look at evisa.imigrasi.go.id as well as the travel and security advice of the Federal Foreign Office before travelling.