- If you work for a Korean employer, you join through your job and pay 3.595% of your pay (plus long-term care).
- Foreign residents without a job join automatically after 6 months in Korea.
- Family members can be added as dependents, generally after they have also lived in Korea for 6 months.
- Unpaid premiums can affect your visa extension.
Two ways to be covered
1. Through your employer (workplace subscriber)
Coverage starts from your first day of work. The premium is split equally with your employer.
- Health insurance: 3.595% of your monthly pay (your share in 2026)
- Long-term care: 13.14% of the health premium
- Example: on ₩3,000,000 a month, you pay about ₩107,850 + ₩14,170 = ₩122,020.
2. On your own (regional subscriber)
Students, freelancers, job seekers and family members who are not dependents are enrolled automatically once they have stayed in Korea for 6 months. If you leave Korea for more than 30 days in a row during those first 6 months, the count may restart.
Foreign regional subscribers pay a premium based on income and property, but not less than the national average premium for regional subscribers, which is typically well over ₩100,000 a month. Some groups (such as D-2/D-4 students) have their own reduced rates.
Take-home Pay Calculator →See your monthly health insurance deductionAdding family as dependents
- A spouse, children and some other family members of a workplace subscriber can be covered without paying their own premium.
- Since 2024, foreign family members generally need to have lived in Korea for 6 months before they can be registered as dependents (spouses and minor children on certain visas are exceptions).
Using your insurance
- Show your alien registration card at clinics, hospitals and pharmacies.
- You usually pay 20–60% of the cost yourself, depending on the type of hospital and treatment.
- Many services, such as cosmetic treatment, are not covered.
FAQ
Can I keep my private insurance instead?
Generally no. Foreign residents who stay 6 months or longer must join National Health Insurance. Exemptions exist for some cases, such as coverage from a home-country employer that meets the rules.
Is health insurance refunded when I leave Korea?
No. Unlike the pension, health insurance premiums are not refunded. Report your departure so billing stops.
Where can I get help in English?
Call the National Health Insurance Service at 1577-1000 (foreign language service available) or visit a local NHIS branch.
Sources: NHIS foreigner guide (Haniseoul)