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

Yes, most registered foreigners who stay in Korea for more than 6 months must join national health insurance. If you have a job, you join as a workplace subscriber. If not, you join as a regional subscriber. The premium depends on your workplace or region and your visa status, so there is no single amount.

How the premium is set

• Workplace subscribers: The premium is your monthly pay (monthly remuneration) multiplied by the premium rate. The workplace premium rate is set by Presidential Decree within 80/1,000. The company and you usually split the premium.
• Regional subscribers: The premium is calculated from your income and property. It uses the same standard as Korean regional subscribers. However, if the head of household is a permanent resident (F-5) or a marriage migrant (F-6), this standard does not apply.
• Permanent resident (F-5) and marriage migrant (F-6): The same premium standard as Koreans applies.
• Minimum premium: If your calculated premium is lower than the overall average premium at the end of November of the previous year, the average premium is charged. You must pay this amount even if you have no income.

💡 When you can reduce your premium

You get a reduction if you meet both conditions: monthly income of 300,000 KRW or less, and property tax base of 135,000,000 KRW or less.

• Study abroad (D-2), general training (D-4): 50% reduction
• Religion (D-6), humanitarian stay permit holders (G-1-6) and their families (G-1-12): 30% reduction
• If you live on an island or in a remote area, you get a 50% reduction. If you live in a farming or fishing area, you get a 22% or 28% reduction.

⚠️ Things to watch out for

If you fall behind on premiums, your hospital bill benefits may be limited. The permitted period of your stay extension may also be shortened to 6 months or less. Pay in advance and keep your receipts.

To apply as a regional subscriber, take your Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증) to a nearby National Health Insurance Service (건강보험공단) branch or a foreigner service center (외국인민원센터). To check your exact premium, ask a National Health Insurance Service (국민건강보험공단) branch or call 1345.