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Health Insurance for Foreigners: Who, When, and Cost

Last checked: 2026-11-03

This article was translated by AI. If anything differs, the Korean original prevails. Read the Korean original

Joining health insurance in Korea lowers your medical bills. How and when a foreigner joins depends on the workplace and visa type. The National Health Insurance Service (국민건강보험공단) checks whether you are covered.

Who joins, and how

• Workplace subscriber (직장가입자): If you work at a workplace covered by health insurance and have completed foreigner registration, you become a workplace subscriber. Your company handles the sign-up, and the premium is usually taken from your pay.
• Regional subscriber (지역가입자): This is a person who is not a workplace subscriber or a dependent and meets the conditions. If you qualify, the Service enrolls you without a separate report.

When regional coverage starts

Not every visa type is covered. Ask the Service whether your visa type is covered.

• Study (D-2), general training at elementary, middle or high school (D-4-3), non-professional employment (E-9), permanent residence (F-5), marriage immigrant (F-6): It starts on the day you enter Korea. If your foreigner registration date is later, it starts from the registration date.
• Other eligible visa types: It starts on the day after you have stayed 6 months from entry.

How much is the premium?

Regional subscribers usually pay by the 25th of the month before the month it covers. There are exceptions, such as when you first gain eligibility. When you apply for regional coverage, you may have to pay one month's premium first (except F-5 and F-6). Check the amount and deadline on your bill.

• The premium for regional subscribers who are foreigners is calculated from income and property. If the calculated amount is lower than the average premium, you pay the average premium.
• The average premium that applies in 2026 is 158,630 won. This amount includes the long-term care insurance premium.
• Study (D-2) and general training (D-4) get a 50% discount.
• Permanent residence (F-5) and marriage immigrant (F-6) follow the same standard as Korean citizens.

What if you cannot pay?

If you fall behind on premiums, your health insurance benefits may be limited. It depends on how many times you were late, so check with the Service.

When you extend your stay, unpaid health insurance premiums are checked too. If you do not pay, the extension is limited, and in principle only up to 6 months is permitted, according to the guidance.

What to do now

1. If you work at a company, check that the health insurance premium is deducted on your pay statement.
2. When you move, report your change of residence (체류지 변경신고). Write the building and unit number exactly, or you may not receive your bill.
3. To add family, prepare documents that prove the relationship. For regional subscribers, family means a spouse and minor children.
4. If you have questions, call the main number of the National Health Insurance Service, or visit a nearby branch or the Foreigner Service Center (외국인민원센터). Phone hours are 09:00~18:00 on weekdays.

Official sources

• 국민건강보험공단: 외국인 및 재외국민 취득안내 (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 국민건강보험공단: 국내체류 외국인 가입자 안내 (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 국민건강보험공단: 재외국민 및 외국인 지역보험료 부과기준 (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 국민건강보험공단 법령: 국민건강보험법 제109조 (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 국민건강보험공단 법령: 시행령 제76조의6 (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 보건복지부: 장기체류 재외국민 및 외국인 건강보험 적용기준 일부개정(2025) (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 대한민국 정책브리핑(2025.10.30.): 외국인 평균보험료와 경감 설명 (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 법무부 출입국·외국인정책본부: 비자연장 전 세금·건강보험료 체납 확인제도 (Checked: 2026-11-03)

This is general information. Your situation may differ, so please confirm with the official agency. Report a mistake

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