Health insurance for foreign residents at a glance
With health insurance, most of your medical bill is covered. Without it, the same treatment costs several times more.
Two routes
- Workplace enrolment — if you work for a company. You and the company split the premium, deducted from your pay.
- Regional enrolment — if you are not on workplace enrolment. You pay yourself. It is mandatory once you have stayed beyond a set period.
Worth knowing
- Once enrolled you pay only your share of hospital costs; the Service covers the rest.
- You can register family members as dependants, subject to conditions.
- Falling behind on premiums causes problems at hospitals and can affect immigration screening.
- A settlement is needed when you leave the country.
Steps
- Work out which route applies to you. If you work for a company, it is usually workplace enrolment.
- For workplace enrolment the company files it. Check the health insurance line on your payslip.
- For regional enrolment the Service contacts you. Pay when the bill arrives.
- Check your status and premium with 1577-1000.
What you need
- Alien Registration Card
- Passport
- A Korean address
- A bank account (for direct debit)
Where to go
- National Health Insurance Service www.nhis.or.kr · 1577-1000 (foreign language support)
- Your nearest NHIS branch
- 1345 · 1577-1366 interpreted advice
Questions people ask
The premium is hard to afford. Depending on circumstances there may be adjustment or instalment schemes. Don't just let it slide — call 1577-1000.
My company won't enrol me. Filing is the employer's duty. Tell 1577-1000 and 1350.
How much is the premium? It depends on income, assets and enrolment type, and changes each year. Check your own amount with 1577-1000.
Take care
Borrowing or lending a health insurance card is a crime. If caught you repay the full cost of treatment and face punishment.
Related
nhis-mandatory-enrollment · nhis-workplace-vs-local · nhis-premium · health-insurance
Source
National Health Insurance Service www.nhis.or.kr / As of 2026-08