Most foreign residents in Korea are covered by National Health Insurance (NHIS) once they work for a Korean employer or stay long enough to become a local subscriber. In 2026, employee health insurance is 7.19% of salary, split 50:50, so the worker pays 3.595% before long-term care insurance is added. Self-paying foreign residents are billed based on income and assets, with many students paying a reduced monthly amount. At a normal clinic, you usually show your ARC number, see the doctor, and pay only the patient share.
Korea’s National Health Insurance is the same public health system Koreans use. For foreign residents, it matters because it turns clinic visits, prescriptions and hospital care from expensive “foreigner price” bills into normal insured care.
Tourists are not covered. If you are visiting Korea short term, buy travel insurance. NHIS is for residents, workers and long-term stayers.
Who gets enrolled?
If you work for a Korean employer, your company usually enrolls you as an employee-insured person. The premium is deducted from your paycheck.
If you are not enrolled through work, you may become a regional subscriber after living in Korea long enough, usually after 6 months. Some visa types, including many students and long-term residents, can be enrolled earlier depending on status.
The simple rule is:
Employee: usually enrolled through payroll.
Student: often enrolled automatically after ARC registration, depending on visa type.
Tourist / short stay: not covered.
Self-employed / non-worker resident: billed directly by NHIS.
What does it cost?
For employees in 2026:
Item | 2026 rate |
|---|---|
Total health insurance rate | 7.19% |
Worker share | 3.595% |
Employer share | 3.595% |
Long-term care insurance is added separately, so your actual payroll deduction is a little higher than the health insurance line alone.
For non-employee residents, NHIS calculates the bill based on income, assets and household status. Foreign students may receive a reduction if they meet the conditions, so their bill can be much lower than the normal foreign regional premium.
Do not guess from old blog posts. Check your actual NHIS bill.
How do you use NHIS at a clinic?
Using it is simple.
Walk into a local clinic and give your name plus ARC number at reception. Many clinics can look you up in the system without needing a physical insurance card.
After seeing the doctor, pay at the front desk. The bill already reflects NHIS coverage. If you receive a prescription, take the printed slip to a nearby pharmacy and pay the pharmacy separately.
For everyday issues like colds, stomach problems, skin irritation or minor pain, a neighborhood clinic is usually the fastest and cheapest first stop.
Where should foreigners go?
For normal problems, use a local clinic near your home, school or office. Search for:
internal medicine
ENT
dermatology
orthopedics
women’s clinic
dental clinic
For English support, search Naver Map or Google Maps for international clinic or English-speaking clinic.
For serious or specialist care in Seoul, large hospitals with international centers include Severance, Samsung Medical Center, Asan Medical Center and Seoul National University Hospital. They are easier in English but more expensive and appointment-based.
What is not fully covered?
NHIS is broad, but it does not cover everything.
You may pay more for:
cosmetic procedures
non-medical dental work
some advanced tests
some private hospital rooms
elective treatments
uncovered medicines or materials
Always ask whether something is covered by insurance before agreeing to a test or procedure.
Salary Calculator
Salary Calculator for Foreigners — See your Korean paycheck with income tax, pension, NHIS and long-term care deductions broken down like a real payslip.
Use it before accepting a job offer or checking your first salary deposit.
Before your first clinic visit
Bring your ARC
You may not need the physical card every time, but bring it on your first visit.
Check your enrollment
If the clinic cannot find your NHIS status, call NHIS or ask your employer/school whether enrollment is complete.
Use clinics before big hospitals
Korea is built around small specialist clinics. They are usually faster and cheaper than going straight to a university hospital.
Keep prescriptions separate
Doctor payment and pharmacy payment are usually separate. Pay the clinic first, then take the prescription to a pharmacy.
Call NHIS if the bill looks wrong
For foreign-language help, contact NHIS before ignoring a bill. Unpaid premiums can create problems later.