Korea National Health Insurance (NHIS) Guide for Expats
How Korea's National Health Insurance works for foreigners, who is covered, the 6-month wait rule, what's covered, how to enroll, and what to do if you're not yet eligible.
Key facts
- →Foreigners on long-stay visas (D, E, F series) are automatically enrolled in NHIS after 6 months of residence
- →NHIS covers 60–80% of most medical costs; you pay the remainder out of pocket
- →NHIS does not cover most dental, vision, or MRI costs, these require supplemental insurance
- →Monthly premiums for employed foreigners are deducted from salary; self-employed or unemployed foreigners pay a flat rate
- →You can voluntarily enroll in NHIS before the 6-month threshold in some cases
How Korean healthcare works for foreigners
Korea has universal healthcare through the National Health Insurance Service (국민건강보험공단, NHIS). The system is excellent, hospitals are modern, well-staffed, and inexpensive by international standards even before insurance kicks in.
The frustrating part for new arrivals: automatic NHIS enrollment for most foreigners doesn't happen until 6 months after arrival. Until then, you're paying out of pocket, though Korean medical costs are low enough that this is manageable for routine visits.
What NHIS covers once enrolled:
- 60–80% of doctor visits, clinics, hospitals
- 60–80% of most prescription medications
- Most surgeries and inpatient stays
- Basic lab tests and imaging (CT, X-ray)
What NHIS does NOT fully cover:
- Most dental care (cleanings, fillings, orthodontics)
- Vision correction (glasses, contacts, LASIK)
- Elective or screening MRIs (medically necessary MRIs ordered by a doctor are typically covered)
- PET scans (covered for cancer patients; otherwise excluded)
- Cosmetic procedures
- Ambulance fees
- Some specialist consultations
The 6-month rule explained
As of 2019, Korea revised its NHIS law to automatically enroll foreigners on qualifying long-stay visas (D, E, F series and others) after 6 months of continuous residence.
What counts as continuous residence: You must be physically present in Korea for 6 months. Trips abroad of less than 30 days generally don't interrupt the count, but extended absences can reset it.
Exceptions, you're enrolled from day one if:
- You're employed by a Korean company (your employer registers you immediately)
- You hold certain F-series visas (F-2 Resident, F-5 Permanent Resident)
- You're enrolled through your school (some universities register students immediately)
If you're self-employed or unemployed: Contact NHIS directly (☎ 1577-1000, English available) to discuss voluntary early enrollment options.
How to check if you're already enrolled
After 6 months in Korea, check your NHIS enrollment status:
- Visit www.nhis.or.kr → English version
- Call NHIS: 1577-1000 (multilingual support including English)
- Visit a NHIS office in person with your ARC
You'll receive an NHIS card (건강보험증) by mail. In practice, you rarely need the physical card, your ARC number is what clinics use to look up your coverage.
Using your NHIS at clinics and hospitals
Step 1, Choose a clinic type
| Type | When to go | Cost with NHIS |
|---|---|---|
| Local clinic (의원) | General illness, routine care | Low (₩2,000–₩10,000 copay) |
| Hospital (병원) | More serious conditions | Medium (₩5,000–₩30,000 copay) |
| General hospital (종합병원) | Referral needed or specialist care | Higher (₩10,000–₩60,000+ copay) |
| Emergency room (응급실) | Emergencies only | Full cost, then partial reimbursement |
For most routine needs, go to a local clinic (의원). They're affordable, fast, and available without appointments in most cases.
Step 2, Present your ARC
When registering at reception, give them your ARC. The receptionist will look up your NHIS enrollment. If you're enrolled, you'll pay only the patient copayment.
Step 3, Pay the copay
After your consultation, you pay the copay at the reception desk. Most clinics accept cash and cards. You'll receive an itemized receipt.
What to do during the 6-month wait
Option 1: Pay out of pocket (most practical)
Korean clinic visits cost ₩30,000–₩80,000 uninsured for a standard consultation. This is affordable for occasional visits. Prescription medication is cheap (often ₩5,000–₩15,000 at the pharmacy).
Option 2: Buy short-term private insurance
International health insurance (e.g., Cigna, AXA, Pacific Prime) can bridge the gap. Coverage costs roughly $50–$150/month depending on your age and coverage level.
Option 3: Use your home country travel insurance
If your travel insurance from home covers medical care abroad, check the terms. Some policies cover the first 6 months of a foreign assignment. Read the small print carefully.
NHIS premium calculation (employed workers)
If you're employed by a Korean company, your NHIS enrollment and premium collection is handled automatically by your employer.
How the premium is calculated (rates are revised annually, verify current rate at www.nhis.or.kr):
- Total rate: ~7.09% of monthly salary (2024 rate)
- Your share: ~3.545% (deducted from your salary)
- Employer share: ~3.545% (paid by your employer on top of your salary)
Example: If your monthly salary is ₩3,000,000:
- Total NHIS premium: ₩212,700
- Your deduction: ₩106,350/month
- Employer contribution: ₩106,350/month
Check your pay stub. NHIS deductions should appear as 건강보험.
Supplemental insurance (recommended)
NHIS leaves meaningful gaps. Consider a supplemental private plan to cover dental, vision, and MRI costs.
Popular options among expats in Korea:
- Pacific Prime Korea, brokers international insurance with Korea-specific plans
- AXA, widely used among English-speaking expats
- Cigna Global, comprehensive coverage including dental and vision
- Korean supplemental plans (실손보험), if your Korean is good enough, Korean domestic supplemental plans (실손의료보험) are often the most affordable
NHIS + a supplemental plan gives you near-comprehensive coverage.
Useful contacts
- NHIS hotline: 1577-1000 (Korean, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog available)
- NHIS English website: www.nhis.or.kr/english
- International Clinic in Seoul (Samsung Medical Center): English-speaking doctors; accepts NHIS and international insurance
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to wait 6 months before getting health insurance in Korea?
For automatic enrollment, yes, foreigners on qualifying long-stay visas are automatically enrolled in NHIS after 6 months of continuous residence in Korea. However, employed foreigners are enrolled from day one through their employer. If you're self-employed or unemployed, voluntary early enrollment may be possible, contact NHIS directly.
What does NHIS cover?
NHIS covers 60–80% of the cost of most medical visits, hospital stays, surgeries, and prescription medications at enrolled clinics and hospitals. Medically necessary MRIs ordered by a doctor are typically covered; elective or screening MRIs are not. It does NOT cover most dental care, vision correction (glasses/contacts/LASIK), cosmetic procedures, ambulance fees, and some specialist referrals. Supplemental private insurance is recommended for these gaps.
How much are NHIS premiums?
For employed workers, the premium is approximately 7.09% of your monthly salary, split 50/50 between you and your employer, so you pay about 3.545%. For self-employed or unemployed persons, the premium is calculated differently based on income, assets, and household size. The minimum premium is around ₩70,000–₩90,000/month.
Can I see a doctor before my NHIS kicks in?
Yes, but you pay full price (비급여). Clinics must treat patients without insurance; they'll simply charge the uninsured rate. This is typically 3–5x the insured rate. For non-urgent matters, wait if you can. For urgent care, go, most clinics are still affordable by international standards even uninsured.
What if I leave Korea for a month? Does my insurance pause?
If you leave Korea for more than 30 consecutive days, your NHIS coverage may be suspended. You'll need to re-enroll or notify NHIS when you return. Extended absence rules are detailed on the NHIS website.
Sources
Looking for a verified English-speaking agent?
We're building a directory of foreigner-friendly agents. Be the first to know.
Join the waitlistRelated guides
ARC Registration Guide: How to Get Your Alien Registration Card in Korea
How to apply for your Alien Registration Card (ARC) in Korea, which immigration office to visit, what documents to bring, and what to do while you wait.
Finding English-Speaking Doctors in Korea
How to find English-speaking doctors and clinics in Korea. Seoul and outside Seoul. International clinics, how to navigate Korean hospitals, and what NHIS covers.