Health Insurance for Foreigners in Korea and Using Hospitals — 6-Month Mandatory Enrollment, Premiums, Finding an ER

As of 2026-10-04

Foreigners who are not enrolled in health insurance through their job are automatically enrolled in National Health Insurance as local (non-employee) subscribers (지역가입자) once they have stayed in Korea for 6 months or more. International students (D-2, D-4 school language training), E-9, F-5, F-6, and some others are enrolled from entry. In 2026, foreign local subscribers pay at least 158,630 KRW a month, and international students get a 50% reduction, paying 79,320 KRW a month. If you do not pay premiums, your medical insurance benefits stop and your extension of stay may be limited.

Who enrolls, and when?

Who	When enrolled
Registered foreigners working at a company	Employee subscriber — from when you start the job
E-9, F-5, F-6, study (D-2), school language training (D-4)	Local subscriber (지역가입자) — from entry (alien registration)
Other registered foreigners (e.g. general training D-4)	Local subscriber (지역가입자) — after 6 months of stay

Dependents (피부양자, family members covered under your insurance) can also be registered only after staying 6 months or more. Spouses and children under 19 are an exception.

Premiums

Foreign local subscribers pay the amount calculated from income and assets, but at least 158,630 KRW a month (2026, including long-term care insurance).
International students (D-2, D-4) get a 50% reduction and pay 79,320 KRW a month.
If you do not pay premiums, you cannot receive insurance benefits for medical costs until you pay in full.
When you extend your stay, the Ministry of Justice checks for unpaid health insurance premiums, and if you have any, the extension is in principle limited to 6 months or less.

When you are sick or injured

Emergencies: 119 (fire and ambulance).
Finding an ER, hospital, or pharmacy: on the emergency medical portal E-gen (e-gen.or.kr) you can find places open right now.
Infectious disease consultation: 1339 (Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 24 hours). Foreign languages are connected by three-way call with 1330 or 1345.
If you need interpretation for a medical visit, you can ask 1345 (Immigration Contact Center, 20 languages) for three-way interpretation.

Is a "registered medical institution for foreign patients" a hospital that treats in foreign languages?

A registered medical institution for foreign patients (외국인환자 유치기관) is a medical institution registered with the city or province to attract patients from abroad. Interpretation is not part of the registration requirements, so call the hospital before visiting to check whether treatment in a foreign language is available.

Frequently asked questions

Do foreigners have to enroll in health insurance?

Enrollment is mandatory for registered foreigners staying 6 months or more. If you are not an employee subscriber, you are automatically enrolled as a local subscriber.

How much is health insurance for international students?

As of 2026, it is 79,320 KRW a month (a 50% reduction from the 158,630 KRW minimum for foreign local subscribers).

Will unpaid premiums cause problems with my visa?

If unpaid premiums are found when you extend your stay, the extension may in principle be limited to 6 months or less. Pay the overdue premiums first.

This article is general information, not legal advice. For your specific case, consult the Ministry of Employment and Labor (1350) or a lawyer.