Health insurance in South Korea for expats

South Korea is regarded as having one of the best healthcare systems anywhere in the world. According to Numbeo’s Health Care Index for 2025, South Korea ranks second globally, behind only Taiwan.¹

The public healthcare system in South Korea has a nationwide network of hospitals, clinics and general practice facilities. These collectively provide a comprehensive range of emergency and non-emergency care, specialist care and surgeries, as well as maternity and paediatric services and a basic level of dental care. This is funded mainly by taxes and public health insurance contributions, with small co-payments required from patients for treatments and prescriptions on a pay-as-you-go basis.²

There are also several private hospitals that offer more dedicated care, faster access to treatment, and are more experienced in dealing with international patients. Many people choose to take out private medical insurance not only to access these facilities, but also to cover the co-payments required by the public system.³

Healthcare provision in South Korea is very good.¹ Treatments are efficient with relatively short waiting times, although you may have to wait a little longer for specialist consultations or elective procedures – unless. Unless it’s an emergency, you’ll visit a local doctor’s office for an initial consultation, and if you require further treatment, they’ll refer you to a specialist as required.

You may find that there’s is greater access to more specialist care in the capital Seoul, than you might find in other areas, especially for more serious conditions.

If you have legal residency in South Korea for six months or longer, then it’s a legal requirement to enrol in the National Health Insurance (NHI) program. As a result, you’ll be treated the same as South Korean citizens.

If you’re only staying in South Korea for a relatively short period of time, then you won’t be able to access publicly subsidised healthcare services. This means you’ll have to pay for any treatment out-of-pocket and on a pay-as-you-go basis, or through your own private travel insurance.⁴

What kind of documentation do I need to access healthcare in South Korea?

If you’ve been in South Korea for six months, and/or you’ve obtained your Alien Registration Card (ARC), then enrolment is automatic. You should receive a letter of your registration, plus information about making payment.

If you don’t receive this letter, or you don’t qualify for manual enrolment, then you should visit your local office of the National Health Insurance Corporation (NHIC). You’ll need your ARC, passport, proof of residence, proof of employment, and bank account details for setting up payments.⁵

People who are employed in South Korea pay their public healthcare premiums in the form of social security contributions deducted from your salary. You’ll contribute 3.5% of your salary each month, while your employer will also contribute the same amount.⁶

If you aren’t employed in South Korea – you may be self-employed, for example – then you’ll have to make monthly contributions into the NHI system directly. How much you pay varies, depending on the level of your household’s wealth, with assets such as cars and property considered as income.⁷

Maintaining your NHI payments is extremely important. If you fall behind, you may be subject to debt collection, find your access to subsidised health services restricted, and may even have problems extending your visa.⁸

On top of the NHI payments, you’ll also be required to make co-payments to cover some of the cost of your care. For example, you’ll have to pay 20% of your total treatment cost if you’re an inpatient, and up to 60% if you’re an outpatient – depending on the type of hospital you’re in. Pharmacy expenses, such as prescriptions, require a 30% co-payment.⁹

Having private medical insurance is only a requirement if you’re staying in South Korea for less than six months. But even if you’re staying for longer, it can still be highly beneficial to have private cover in place.

What are the benefits of private health insurance in South Korea?

Having private medical insurance in place in South Korea means you can benefit from:

• Shorter waiting times: Waiting times can be longer for specialist care and elective procedures, but these can be avoided if you go private.
• High-quality care: Private health facilities tend to have more comfortable surroundings, more dedicated care and a better understanding of English.
• Dental cover: If you need advanced dental care, private cover can make sure your treatment bills don’t become unaffordable.
• Co-payment costs: From hospital stays to prescriptions, you’ll be required to make co-payments for South Korean healthcare. Private cover can extend to these fees and mean you’re reimbursed quickly.
• Peace of mind: Having private cover gives you the reassurance that you’ll get the very best care; however, your medical needs evolve.

Would I need dental insurance in South Korea?

The public healthcare system in South Korea covers a basic level of dental care, such as check-ups and teeth cleaning, and other services that are primarily for health-related reasons.¹⁰ Beyond this, you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket or rely on your private health insurance cover, but the standard of dentistry in South Korea is good and prices are affordable. For example, if you go private, a straightforward tooth extraction normally costs around 35,000 Korean won (approximately £19; $25; €22).

If you have an emergency, then 119 is the number to call for an ambulance or the fire brigade. The police can be reached on 112. There’s also a 24-hour medical information hotline specifically for foreign visitors on 1339, where operators speaking English, Chinese and Japanese should be available.¹¹