Do foreigners also have to join health insurance? How much is the premium?

ʼnThis is a summary of the health insurance requirement and premiums based on general rules.

Requirement to join

Yes, you must join if you are covered. Since July 16, 2019, foreigners staying in Korea are automatically enrolled as regional subscribers of health insurance. You do not need to report separately. The National Health Insurance Service (국민건강보험공단, "the Service") enrolls you in bulk. It applies to people who have completed alien registration and hold a residence status set by the Ordinance of the Ministry of Health and Welfare.⁴

• If you work at a company, you join as a workplace subscriber. The branch office that covers your workplace address handles it.²

When you are enrolled

• As a rule, you are enrolled on the day 6 months after your entry date.⁴
• F-5 (permanent resident), F-6 (marriage immigrant), D-2 (student), D-4-3 (elementary, middle and high school student), and E-9 (non-professional employment) are enrolled right on the entry date.⁴
• The standard date is the day when entry, alien registration, and residence status permission are all met.⁴

Premiums

• Regional subscriber premiums are calculated by the same standard as Korean regional subscribers.³
• If the calculated amount is lower than the overall average premium at the end of November of the previous year, the average premium is charged.³
• Households headed by an F-5 or F-6 holder are charged the same as Koreans.³
• The exact amount depends on your income, property, and household situation, so we cannot state it here.

Premium reduction

• Students with study (D-2), general training (D-4), or overseas Korean (F-4) status: 50% [5]
• Religion (D-6), humanitarian stay permit holders (G-1-6), and their family (G-1-12): 30% [5]
• The conditions are monthly income of 300,000 won or less and property tax base of 135,000,000 won or less. It is judged on the head of household. [5]
• If you live on an island or in a remote area, you get a 50% reduction. In rural and fishing areas, you get a 22% reduction. [5]

⚠️ Please note

There may be disadvantages if you do not pay your premiums. Check the details with the Service (1577-1000). For final confirmation, use HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the Foreigner Comprehensive Information Center (외국인종합안내센터, 1345).