The Millo Blog Editorial Team reviewed official National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) documentation to ensure accuracy. Updated July 20, 2026.
Foreign residents who have stayed in Korea for more than six months are subject to mandatory subscription to the National Health Insurance (NHI) system. Once enrolled, expats receive the same healthcare coverage as Korean citizens, which includes services for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of diseases or injuries, as well as coverage for childbirth and health promotion.
Am I eligible for the National Health Insurance (NHI)?
Eligibility for the NHI depends primarily on your residency status and employment type. The system is designed to be compulsory for most foreigners to ensure social solidarity and risk dispersion across the population.
The Six-Month Residency Rule
As of July 16, 2019, any foreigner or overseas Korean who has resided in Korea for over six months is required by law to subscribe to the health insurance system. This ensures that long-term residents have a stable safety net for medical emergencies and routine care.
Eligibility by Employment Type
- Employed Insured: Foreigners and overseas Koreans working at a company that is covered by NHI are compulsorily subscribed. This includes public officials, teachers, and staff at private schools.
- Self-Employed Insured: Those who are not employed by an NHI-covered workplace but meet the residency requirement (six months) are classified as self-employed insured.
Applicable Visa Types
Most long-term visa holders are eligible and required to join. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Culture, Arts, and Study: D-1, D-2, D-3, D-4, D-5, D-6.
- Professional and Employment: D-7, D-8, D-9, E-1, E-2, E-3, E-4, E-5, E-6, E-7, E-9, E-10.
- Residency and Family: F-1, F-2, F-3, F-4, F-5, F-6.
- Employment Visiting: H-1, H-2.
How do I enroll in NHI as a foreign resident?
The enrollment process differs based on whether you are an employee or self-employed. In many cases, the system handles acquisition of eligibility automatically once residency requirements are met.
Enrollment for Employees
If you work for a covered company, your employer is responsible for reporting your eligibility to the NHIS. However, you may apply for an exclusion if you can prove you have medical coverage through a foreign insurance policy or a specific contract with your employer that provides benefits equivalent to the NHI.
Enrollment for the Self-Employed
Foreigners who are not employees but have stayed in Korea for six months and have reported their place of residence under the Immigration Control Act or the Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans are automatically subject to mandatory subscription.
Adding Dependents to Your Policy
If you are an employee insured person, you may register family members as dependents. To qualify, the dependent must be supported primarily by the insured person and meet specific income and property thresholds:
- Income Requirement: Total annual income (including business, finance, and pension) must be less than 20 million KRW. If the person has a business registration, they must have no business income. If they have no registration, annual business income must be under 5 million KRW.
- Property Requirement: The property tax base must generally be less than 540 million KRW. If it is between 540 million and 900 million KRW, annual income must be 10 million KRW or less.
- Relationship Requirements: Eligible dependents include spouses, lineal ascendants (parents/grandparents), lineal descendants (children/grandchildren) and their spouses, and certain unmarried siblings (usually under 30 or over 65, or disabled).
Example: An expat working as a professor (E-1) can add their spouse and children as dependents, provided the spouse does not have an independent income exceeding 20 million KRW per year.
Required Documents for Dependents
To register a dependent, you typically need:
- A dependent qualification report.
- A certificate from the Family Relations Register or a document issued by a foreign government confirming the family relationship (must be Apostilled or confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
- A notarized Korean translation of any non-Korean documents.
- An Alien Registration Card or domestic residence report card.
How are monthly insurance contributions calculated?
The cost of your insurance depends on your status. The NHI uses a redistribution model where contributions are based on the level of household income and property.
| Insured Type | Calculation Method | Payment Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Employee | Monthly Wage × Contribution Rate | Split 50% Employee / 50% Employer |
| Self-Employed | Contribution Score × Value per Score | Paid entirely by the insured |
For the self-employed, if the calculated fee is lower than the average insurance fee, the average fee is levied. Contributions are paid monthly, and for employees, these are typically deducted via withholding tax from the salary.
How do I access medical services and infectious disease testing?
The NHI provides comprehensive coverage for diagnosis and treatment. For expats seeking infectious disease testing or general medical care, it is critical to understand the Health Care Delivery System to avoid unexpected costs.
The Two-Phase Care Delivery System
To manage medical resources efficiently and prevent overcrowding at major hospitals, Korea uses a phased approach to medical care:
Phase 1: Primary and Secondary Care
This includes local clinics, hospitals, and general hospitals. You can visit these institutions directly without a referral. Most routine check-ups, general illness treatments, and infectious disease screenings are handled here.
Phase 2: Tertiary Care
Tertiary hospitals are large, specialized general hospitals (such as Seoul National University Hospital or Asan Medical Center). These are reserved for severe conditions or specialized treatments.
The Importance of the Referral Slip
To receive NHI benefits at a tertiary hospital, you must present a referral slip issued by a doctor from a Phase 1 institution. The referral slip must explicitly state that you require the specialized care provided by a tertiary hospital.
Warning: If you visit a tertiary hospital without a referral slip, you may be required to pay 100% of the total medical expenses out of pocket.
Exceptions to the Referral System
You can visit a tertiary hospital without a referral slip in the following specific scenarios:
- Emergency medical treatments for severe conditions.
- Childbirth.
- Dental health care services.
- Consultations at the department of family medicine.
- Rehabilitation services for disabled persons or those requiring vocational/kinesiatrics treatment.
- When the patient is an employee of that tertiary hospital.
- Hemophiliac patients receiving treatment.
Where can I find administrative support for foreign residents?
The National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) operates specialized centers for foreign residents to help with eligibility, contributions, and general inquiries. Your jurisdiction is determined by your residential address.
NHIS Centers for Foreign Residents
- Seoul Center: For residents of Seoul. Located at Sindorim Techno Mart.
- Incheon-Gyeonggi Center (Ansan): For residents of Ansan, Siheung, Gunpo, Anyang, Uiwang, and Gwacheon.
- Incheon-Gyeonggi Center (Suwon): For residents of Suwon, Yongin, Hwaseong, Osan, Seongnam, Pyeongtaek, Anseong, Icheon, Gyeonggi-do Gwangju, and Yeoju.
- Incheon-Gyeonggi Center (Incheon): For residents of Incheon, Bucheon, Gimpo, and Gwangmyeong.
- Incheon-Gyeonggi Center (Uijeongbu): For residents of Uijeongbu, Namyangju, Gapyeong, Pocheon, Dongducheon, Yeoncheon, Yangju, Guri, Goyang, Paju, Yangpyeong, and Hanam.
For phone support, you can contact the NHIS Call Center at 1577-1000 or the English Consultant line at 033-811-2000.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I already have private health insurance from my home country?
If you are an employee, you may apply for an exclusion from the NHI if you can prove that your foreign insurance provides medical benefits equivalent to those of the NHI. You must submit an “Employee Health Insurance Withdrawal Application” and supporting evidence within 14 days of your eligibility report.
Can I use NHI for health screenings?
Yes. NHI coverage includes health promotion and prevention services. You should check with your local Phase 1 clinic to see which screenings are covered under your current plan.
What happens if I lose my job?
If you lose your status as an employee insured person, you may be transitioned to the self-employed insured category if you still meet the residency requirements, ensuring you maintain healthcare access.
Next Steps for Expats
- Verify your status: Confirm if your employer has already registered you or if you have reached the six-month residency mark for mandatory self-employment subscription.
- Gather documents: If you have family members moving with you, prepare Apostilled family relationship certificates for dependent registration.
- Locate your center: Find the NHIS Center for Foreign Residents that corresponds to your residential address for any face-to-face administrative needs.
- Find a local clinic: Identify a nearby Phase 1 clinic to serve as your primary healthcare provider and source for future tertiary hospital referrals.
Official sources:
- NHIS Guidance for Foreigners
- NHIS Centers for Foreign Residents
- NHIS Health Security System Overview