Healthcare

Focused healthcare guides

If you are moving to Korea long term, start with NHIS for foreigners in Korea. It explains when coverage starts, workplace versus local subscriber status, what to do before insurance is active, and how to use clinics.

National Health Insurance (NHIS / 국민건강보험)

Once you're in Korea on a long-term visa for more than 6 months, NHIS enrollment is mandatory. Your employer enrolls you if you have a salaried job; otherwise you're enrolled as a "local subscriber" and billed directly. The NHIS foreigner-specific page has the current premium calculator and rules.

• Premiums: roughly 7% of income, split with employer if you're employed. Self-enrolled foreigners pay a minimum of about ₩150,000/month.
• Coverage: NHIS pays 60–80% of most medical costs. You pay the remainder at the counter.
• Dental and vision are partially covered; cosmetic procedures are not.

What things actually cost

With NHIS, typical out-of-pocket costs are:

• GP visit: ₩5,000–₩10,000
• Specialist visit: ₩15,000–₩30,000
• Blood test: ₩10,000–₩30,000
• Dental cleaning: ₩15,000–₩40,000
• Most generic prescriptions: under ₩10,000

Seeing a doctor

1. Find a nearby clinic (의원) — most neighborhoods have GPs, dentists, dermatologists, ENT, and OB-GYN within a few blocks. No appointment usually needed.
2. Bring your ARC and NHIS card (digital is fine).
3. For serious conditions, get a referral to a general hospital (종합병원) — most have dedicated international centers: Severance, Samsung Medical, Asan, SNUH, Seoul St. Mary's, and similar.
4. For 24-hour English help with finding care, call 1339.

Pharmacies (약국)

Identified by a green cross. Pharmacists in cities often speak some English. You'll need a doctor's prescription for most medications; common over-the-counter items (painkillers, cold remedies) are available without one.