In Korea, families raising children under school age (ages 0 to 7) can access a wide range of childcare support, from daycare and kindergarten tuition subsidies to monthly allowances. Below, we walk through each type of support, who qualifies, and how to apply.
Children Attending Daycare: Childcare Tuition Support
If your child holds Korean citizenship and attends a daycare center (어린이집, eorinijip), you can receive childcare tuition support regardless of your household income or assets. Recognized refugees are also eligible for this support.
Support amounts are adjusted every year. The figures below reflect the rates as of January 2026.
| Age Group | Monthly Tuition Support |
|---|---|
| Age 0 (under 1) | approx. 584,000 KRW |
| Age 1 | approx. 515,000 KRW |
| Age 2 | approx. 426,000 KRW |
| Ages 3, 5 | approx. 280,000 KRW |
Exact amounts can change each year, so please check the latest figures at Bokjiro (bokjiro.go.kr), or contact the Immigration Contact Center (1345) or your local Korea Immigration Service office before applying.
The subsidy is paid directly to the daycare center, not to you in cash. You only need to pay any remaining balance after the subsidy is applied.
How to Apply
- In person: Visit your nearest community center (읍·면·동 주민센터, eup/myeon/dong jumin senteo)
- Online: Go to Bokjiro (www.bokjiro.go.kr) and apply there
- Make sure to also apply for the National Happy Card at the same time.
Children Attending Kindergarten: Early Childhood Education Tuition Support
If your child holds Korean citizenship and attends a kindergarten (유치원, yuchiwon), you can receive early childhood education tuition support regardless of income. Recognized refugees are also eligible. If your child stays for the after-school program once regular classes finish, an additional after-school program fee subsidy is also available.
| Kindergarten Type | Tuition Support | After-School Program Support |
|---|---|---|
| Public kindergarten | 100,000 KRW/month | 50,000 KRW/month |
| Private kindergarten | 280,000 KRW/month | 70,000 KRW/month |
Figures may change, so please check the latest information at the Immigration Contact Center (1345) or your local Korea Immigration Service office before applying.
How to Apply
- In person: Visit your nearest community center
- Online: Go to Bokjiro (www.bokjiro.go.kr)
- You will also need to apply for the National Happy Card at the same time.
Children Not Attending Daycare or Kindergarten: Home Childcare Allowance
If you are raising your child at home rather than using a daycare center, kindergarten, or full-day childcare service, you may be eligible for the Home Childcare Allowance (가정양육수당, gajeongyangnyuk sudan). This applies to children with Korean citizenship, and recognized refugees are also eligible. The allowance is deposited into your bank account on the 25th of each month.
| Child’s Age | Monthly Allowance |
|---|---|
| 0, 11 months | 200,000 KRW |
| 12, 23 months | 150,000 KRW |
| 24, 86 months (under 7 years) | 100,000 KRW |
- If your child has a disability, or if the parent or guardian is a farmer or fisher, the amount may differ. Please check separately.
- For children under 24 months, the Parental Pay (부모급여, covered in the next section) is provided instead of the Home Childcare Allowance.
How to Apply
- In person: Visit your nearest community center
- Online: Go to Bokjiro (www.bokjiro.go.kr)
Parental Pay (Extra Support for Families with Infants)
Families with a child aged 0, 23 months who was born in 2022 or later and holds Korean citizenship receive Parental Pay (부모급여, bumo geupyeo) every month.
| Child’s Age | Monthly Parental Pay |
|---|---|
| 0, 11 months | 1,000,000 KRW |
| 12, 23 months | 500,000 KRW |
If your child attends a daycare center, the amount corresponding to the childcare tuition is provided as a voucher on your National Happy Card, and if the Parental Pay is greater than the childcare tuition, the difference is deposited in cash into your bank account.
Parental Pay amounts and eligibility conditions may change, so please check the latest information at the Immigration Contact Center (1345) or your local Korea Immigration Service office before applying.
Part-Time Childcare Service
If you have an infant aged 6, 36 months who is being raised at home and does not attend a daycare center or kindergarten, you can use childcare services at designated facilities on an hourly basis, as needed. In 2026 the hourly rate is 5,000 KRW, of which the government covers 3,000 KRW, so your out-of-pocket cost is about 2,000 KRW per hour. The co-payment for foreign-national children may differ by local government.
How to Apply
- Apply through the Childcare Portal Aisarang (childcare.go.kr)
- Inquiries: 1566-3232
Child Allowance (For All Children)
Regardless of whether your child attends daycare or kindergarten, any child under age 9 (0, 107 months) with Korean citizenship is entitled to a Child Allowance. This is 100,000 KRW per child per month, deposited directly into your bank account.
From April 2026, the eligible age was expanded, and it will rise by one year each year through 2030, ultimately reaching children under age 13.
Recognized refugees or those with special contributor status are also eligible.
How to Apply
- In person: Visit your nearest community center (parents and other legal guardians may all apply in person)
- Online: Go to Bokjiro (www.bokjiro.go.kr)
- Online applications are available to parents only. If another guardian (such as a grandparent) needs to apply, they must visit the community center in person.
Quick Overview of Available Support
| Support Type | Who Is Eligible | Amount | Where to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daycare tuition support | Children with Korean citizenship (incl. refugees) attending daycare | Varies by age | Community center or Bokjiro |
| Kindergarten tuition support | Children with Korean citizenship (incl. refugees) attending kindergarten | Varies by school type | Community center or Bokjiro |
| Home Childcare Allowance | Children with Korean citizenship (incl. refugees) not in a facility | Varies by age | Community center or Bokjiro |
| Parental Pay | Born 2022 or later, aged 0, 23 months | 500,000, 1,000,000 KRW/month | Community center or Bokjiro |
| Part-time childcare | Includes foreign-national children, aged 6, 36 months | approx. 2,000 KRW/hour (co-pay) | Aisarang Portal |
| Child Allowance | Children with Korean citizenship (incl. refugees), under age 9 | 100,000 KRW/month | Community center or Bokjiro |