How to Get Health Insurance in Korea as a Foreigner (2025 Guide)

Planning to live in South Korea as a student, worker, or working holiday traveler?

0ne of the first things you need to understand is how health insurance works in Korea.

This 2025 guide will walk you through the different types of insurance available and how you can apply as a foreigner.

 

What Kind of Health Insurance Is Available in Korea?

건강보험 <출처: 픽사베이>

 

There are two main types of health insurance in Korea:

• National Health Insurance (NHI, 국민건강보험): Government-run, mandatory if staying over 6 months.
• Private Health Insurance: Optional, often covers what NHI doesn’t (like outpatient costs or surgery add-ons).

 

For International Students (D-2 Visa)

If you're studying in Korea, you're required to enroll in the National Health Insurance (NHI) once you've been in the country for 6 months. Some schools help you enroll earlier.

What you need:

• Alien Registration Card (ARC)
• Passport
• Proof of school enrollment

 

Monthly premium (as of 2025): around 65,000~80,000 KRW

 

For Working Holiday Visa Holders (H-1 Visa)

If you're in Korea on a working holiday visa, you are also eligible to enroll in NHI after 6 months. However, some working holiday visitors choose private short-term travel insurance instead.

Recommended: Check if your home country has a mutual health agreement with Korea.

 

For Foreign Workers (E-7, E-9, etc.)

Most foreign workers are automatically enrolled in NHI through their employer.

What to confirm:

• Your employer is paying insurance premiums
• You are receiving insurance cards and benefit info

 

If you are a freelancer or self-employed, you must apply individually.

 

How to Apply for National Health Insurance

Visit the local NHIS (건강보험공단) office → Bring your ARC, passport, and any proof of stay → Fill out the application form → Start paying premiums monthly

 

Quick FAQ

Q: Can I get health insurance without an Alien Registration Card?
A: No, the ARC is required to register for NHI or private plans.

 

Q: Is health insurance mandatory?
A: Yes, if you stay longer than 6 months, you are required to enroll in NHI.

 

Q: What happens if I don’t have insurance?
A: You may have to pay the full medical costs, which can be very expensive.

 

🔗 Useful Resources

 

NHIS Official Guide for Foreigners

| 영어 사이트

 

Ministry of Health and Welfare (English Site)

보건복지부 영문홈페이지

 

Editor’s Note

I'm not a foreigner myself, but I had the chance to help a native English teacher at our language academy navigate the Korean health insurance system.

That experience gave me a better understanding of how things work—especially for newcomers.

One of the most common questions I got was, "Does health insurance happen automatically?" Many people assume they’re already enrolled through their visa or employer, only to find out months later that they’re not covered at all. That can lead to a lot of stress when unexpected medical costs come up.

 

To help, I called the NHIS helpline (1577-1000) to confirm what documents were needed and how to apply.

The good news is, they offer support in English too! I also made sure to explain the difference between employee-based insurance and local subscription (self-enrolled) plans.

If you have any foreign friends or coworkers who just arrived in Korea, I highly recommend sharing this information with them. A little help at the right time can make a huge difference in someone’s early days abroad.

 

[Comparison: Employee-Based vs. Self-Enrolled Health Insurance]

Category	Employee-Based Insurance	Local Subscription (Self-Enrolled)
Who is it for?	People with a job at a registered company or school	Freelancers, self-employed, or unemployed residents
Enrollment	Automatically enrolled by your employer	Must apply in person at NHIS office
Premium Payment	Shared 50/50 by employer and employee	100% paid by the individual
Documents Needed	Handled by employer (usually no extra documents)	ARC, passport, proof of residence/income
Examples	English teachers employed by a hagwon or school	Private tutors, content creators, job seekers

 

Final Tips

• Register for insurance as soon as you're eligible
• Keep all receipts for medical care – some are reimbursable
• Use hospitals with "Foreigner Support Centers" for easier communication

Do you have questions about health insurance in Korea? Leave a comment below and I’ll do our best to help!