National Health Insurance for Foreigners in Korea β Workplace and Regional
How Korean health insurance works for foreign employees and for foreigners without a job: 2026 premium rates, the 6-month rule, the minimum premium, dependents and what happens when you leave.
Korea's National Health Insurance covers everyone who lives in the country for any length of time, foreigners included. How you enroll depends on whether you have a job.
If you work for a Korean employer
You become a workplace subscriber (μ§μ₯κ°μ μ) from your first working day, whatever your visa. In 2026 the premium is 7.19% of your pay, split equally, so you pay 3.595%. Long-term care insurance adds 13.14% of the health premium, also split. Your employer deducts both from your salary.
Your spouse, children and parents living in Korea can be registered as dependents (νΌλΆμμ) without extra premiums if they meet income and residence conditions.
If you don't have a Korean employer
Foreigners who have stayed in Korea for 6 months or more must enroll as regional subscribers (μ§μκ°μ μ). This has been mandatory since July 2019. Some visas, including D-2 students, E-9 workers and F-5 and F-6 residents, are covered from registration.
Regional premiums are based on income and assets, but foreigners pay at least a minimum premium, set each year at the average premium of all subscribers. For 2026 it is around β©160,000 a month including long-term care. Students on D-2 and D-4 visas get a discount.
Unpaid premiums can affect your visa extension, so keep them up to date.
Annual adjustment
Workplace premiums are settled each April based on your actual pay in the previous year. If your pay went up, an extra amount is deducted in April; if it went down, you get money back.
When you leave Korea
Your coverage ends when you leave the job or the country. Your employer reports the loss of coverage. Any final settlement of premiums appears on your last payslip. If you were a regional subscriber, report your departure so you are not billed after you leave.
Using the insurance
Show your residence card at a hospital or pharmacy. You usually pay 20% for hospital stays and 30β60% for outpatient visits, depending on the size of the hospital. Your exact premium at your pay is in the social insurance calculator.
This guide reflects Korean laws and official notices as of 2026-10-08. Rules change, so confirm with the relevant agency before making important decisions.