Korea has a National Health Insurance system that significantly reduces the cost of medical care when you are sick. Foreigners and refugees who meet certain conditions are required to enroll, and once insured, you pay only a portion of your medical bills while the insurance covers the rest. This article explains who enrolls and how, how premiums are calculated, how to use hospitals, and what to do when paying premiums is difficult.
Who Enrolls?
From July 2019, foreigners who have registered as a foreign resident and have stayed in Korea for six months or more are required to enroll in National Health Insurance. Enrollment used to be optional, but now anyone who meets the conditions is enrolled automatically.
The date of enrollment depends on when you arrived in Korea.
- Foreigners who entered Korea on or after 3 April 2024 must wait six months from their date of entry before they can enroll as a local-area subscriber (지역가입자).
- Certain visa categories, such as students on a study visa (D-2) or foreign students attending elementary, middle, or high school (D-4), are enrolled automatically from the date of entry (or from the date of foreign resident registration on a first entry).
- If you are employed at a company, you enroll through your employer as a workplace subscriber (직장가입자) regardless of the six-month rule.
Health insurance can also cover eligible family members. Dependants (피부양자) — such as a spouse or children who share your household — can be registered to receive the same coverage without paying a separate premium. If you live with family, please contact the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) to ask whether they can be registered as dependants.
How Are Premiums Calculated?
Workplace subscribers’ premiums are based on their monthly salary (reported monthly wage), and the cost is split equally between the employer and the employee. Because the premium is deducted automatically from your salary, you rarely need to manage payments yourself.
Local-area subscribers’ premiums are based on income and assets, and must be paid each month by the subscriber directly. However, for foreigners whose income or assets are difficult to verify, the premium is often set at the average premium per household among local-area subscribers for the previous year. This means that having insufficient income records does not exempt you from paying a premium; rather, you will be charged at the average level. It is good to know this in advance.
Exact amounts and calculation standards vary depending on your individual situation. Before enrolling or making payments, we recommend checking with the National Health Insurance Service or calling their customer center at 1577-1000 (multilingual support available).
When You Have Difficulty Paying Premiums
There may be times when paying premiums all at once is financially difficult. The most important thing in that situation is not to delay: seek advice early.
How Do You Use Hospitals?
- If you have health insurance, you pay only a portion of the medical bill (your co-payment) at clinics and hospitals. The rest is covered by the insurance, so your out-of-pocket cost is much lower.
- For mild symptoms such as a cold or minor pain, it is best to visit a local clinic first. Appointments are faster and costs are lower.
- For serious illness or when detailed tests are needed, go to a general hospital. A referral letter from your local clinic makes it easier to be seen.
- Take the prescription you receive after your appointment to a pharmacy to collect your medicine.
- In an emergency, call 119 (ambulance and fire services). Even if your Korean is limited, you can be connected to an interpreter.
Vaccinations and health check-ups are also supported through health insurance. For adults, see the Adult Vaccination Guide. If you have children, see the Children’s Vaccination Guide and the Infant Health Check-Up Guide.
If You Are Not Yet Insured or Have No Insurance
If you have not yet enrolled or do not have insurance and are worried about medical costs, you can get help from places that offer free or low-cost medical care. Clinics serving migrants and refugees are available in various regions; please see the Free Clinic Guide for Migrants and Refugees.
Health insurance enrollment and medical support for refugee applicants (G-1 visa holders) varies depending on individual circumstances. To find out whether you can enroll and what medical support is available to you, please check with the Immigration Contact Center 1345 or a refugee support organisation.
Help is also available when you are struggling emotionally, not just physically. See Mental Health and Counselling Support for Refugees for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need to apply for enrollment separately? In most cases, enrollment happens automatically once you meet the conditions. However, if you want to register family members as dependants, or if your address or visa status changes, you must notify the NHIS. Call 1577-1000 to check.
Q. My insurance card and notices arrive only in Korean and are hard to understand. The NHIS customer center at 1577-1000 offers support in foreign languages. You can call to ask what you need to pay, how much, and by when.
Q. My premium seems too high. If your income and asset records are insufficient, the average premium may be applied. If your actual income is lower, you can submit the relevant documents to have your premium recalculated. Contact the NHIS to ask about this.
Q. Do I still have to pay premiums while I am temporarily outside Korea? This depends on the situation, including how long you are away. If you plan to be outside Korea for an extended period, it is best to inform the NHIS in advance at 1577-1000 and confirm how to handle your account.
Policies and premium standards can change, so please confirm the latest information with the National Health Insurance Service at 1577-1000 before enrolling or making payments.