Living in Korea without health insurance is risky. While Korea’s healthcare system is world-class and affordable, unexpected medical bills can still pile up. For expats, navigating the difference between the mandatory government insurance (NHIS) and private add-ons can be confusing.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about health insurance in Korea for 2026.
1. National Health Insurance Service (NHIS): The Mandatory Basic
For most foreigners residing in Korea for more than 6 months, enrolling in the NHIS (National Health Insurance Service) is mandatory.
- Who is enrolled?
- Employee Insured: If you work for a company, your employer registers you. You pay about 3.545% of your salary, and your employer pays the other half.
- Local Insured: If you are not employed (e.g., student, freelancer, F-visa holder without a job), you are enrolled as a “Local Subscriber” after 6 months of entry.
- Cost:
- Employees: Proportional to salary.
- Locals: Calculated based on income and property. The minimum monthly premium for foreigners (as of 2026) is typically around 140,000 KRW to 150,000 KRW, even if you have zero income.
- Benefits: Covers about 60-70% of medical costs for checkups, surgeries, and treatments. You pay the remaining 30-40% (co-payment).
Wait period: If you enter Korea on a long-term visa (like D-2, D-4, E-7, F-series), you may be automatically enrolled immediately or after 6 months depending on your visa type. International students (D-2) often get a discount.
2. Private Health Insurance (Silabi / Supplementary)
The NHIS is great, but it doesn’t cover everything. It leaves out non-covered items (MRI in some cases, special treatments, private hospital rooms). This is why many Koreans and long-term expats get Private Supplementary Insurance, widely known as “Silbi” (실비보험).
- What it covers: It reimburses up to 80-90% of the “co-payment” that you paid out of pocket after NHIS coverage.
- Cost: Usually 20,000 KRW ~ 50,000 KRW per month, depending on age and medical history.
- How to sign up: You can sign up through major Korean insurance companies (Samsung Fire & Marine, Hyundai Marine, Meritz, etc.).
- Note: Signing up can be difficult if you don’t speak Korean, as the forms and contracts are complex.
3. Travel & Nomad Insurance (For Digital Nomads / Short-term)
If you are a digital nomad, a tourist lightly longer-term, or in between visas, you might not be eligible for NHIS immediately, or you might want global coverage that travels with you.
In this case, international travel/medical insurance is your best bet.
Recommended: SafetyWing (Nomad Insurance)
For expats and digital nomads who move around or haven’t qualified for NHIS yet, SafetyWing is a popular choice.
- Pros:
- Global Coverage: Works in Korea and almost any other country (including visits home).
- Monthly Subscription: Cancel anytime, just like Netflix. No year-long lock-in.
- COVID-19 Coverage: Included.
- English Support: Claims and customer service are fully in English.
- Cons: It is travel medical insurance, so it focuses on emergencies and unexpected sickness, not routine checkups or pre-existing conditions.
Check Price for Your Trip via SafetyWing (Affiliate Link Placeholder)
Summary: Which One Do I Need?
| Your Status | Recommended Insurance Path |
|---|---|
| Employed (E-7, E-2, etc.) | NHIS (Mandatory) + Consider Silbi for extra coverage. |
| Student (D-2) | NHIS (Mandatory & Discounted). usually sufficient. |
| Digital Nomad / Tourist | Travel/Nomad Insurance (e.g., SafetyWing) until you get an ARC and stay > 6 months. |
| F-Visa (F-2-7, F-4, F-5, F-6) | NHIS (Mandatory) + Silbi (highly recommended for long-term stay). |
Essential Tips
- Don’t Ignore NHIS Bills: Failing to pay NHIS premiums can lead to visa extension denials. It is linked to the immigration system.
- English Service: NHIS has an English call center (033-811-2000) for foreign language services.
- Deductibles: Remember that NHIS has deductibles. A 10,000 KRW clinic visit might cost you 3,500 KRW, but a 1,000,000 KRW surgery might cost you 300,000 KRW + non-covered items.
Related Tools & Guides
- 👉 Salary Calculator (Net Pay) - See how much NHIS is deducted from your paycheck.
- 👉 4 Major Insurances Calculator - Detailed breakdown of deductions.
- Read: Korean Bank Account Guide