Health insurance premiums for foreigners in Korea are worked out with the same two formulas the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) uses for Korean nationals: one based on your monthly wage, the other based on a contribution score built from income, property, and cars you own.
This guide walks through the contribution rate NHIS states for 2026, how the employee insured and self-employed insured formulas are calculated, who pays what share, and how foreigners are actually enrolled in the system. It also covers when you can apply for exclusion from the employee insured system, and how dependents can be added to your coverage.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Who it applies to | Foreigners and overseas Koreans working at an insured company (employee insured), and any foreigner or overseas Korean who has stayed in Korea over six months (self-employed insured, mandatory since July 16, 2019) |
| Contribution rate (employee insured) | 7.19% of monthly average wage, as of 2026 |
| Contribution formula (self-employed insured) | Contribution Score x Value per point (currently KRW 211.5) |
| Payment due date | 10th of the following month, for both types |
| Collection method | Deducted from salary (employee insured); paid monthly by the householder (self-employed insured) |
| Cost share (company employees) | Employer 50% / Employee 50% |
| Reductions available | 50% for insured in remote islands or areas; 22% for self-employed in farming or fishing villages; 0-28% for farmers and fishermen; 10-30% for vulnerable households |
| Where to confirm current details | NHIS official English website |
Who Enrolls in Health Insurance as a Foreigner in Korea
Foreigners and overseas Koreans who work at a company covered by national health insurance are compulsorily subscribed as the employee insured. This also applies to foreigners employed or appointed as public officials, teachers, or private school staff.
If you already get medical benefits equivalent to Korean health insurance through foreign law, foreign insurance, or a contract with your employer, you may apply for exclusion from the employee insured system.
Any foreigner or overseas Korean who has stayed in Korea for over six months is subject to mandatory subscription as the self-employed insured, a rule in effect since July 16, 2019. This applies to people registered as foreigners with a qualifying sojourn status, and to overseas Koreans who have reported their residence or registered their address in Korea.
- Culture & Arts (D-1), Students (D-2), Industrial training (D-3), General training (D-4), Press coverage (D-5), Religious workers (D-6), Intra-company transfer (D-7), Investment (D-8), Trade and management (D-9)
- Professor (E-1), Foreign language teaching (E-2), Research (E-3), Technological guidance (E-4), Professional employment (E-5), Arts and entertainment (E-6), Specific activities (E-7), Non-professional employment (E-9), Labor abroad (E-10)
- Visiting for cohabitation (F-1), Residence (F-2), Dependents (F-3), Overseas-based Korean (F-4), Permanent resident (F-5), Marriage immigration (F-6)
- Tourism employment (H-1), Visiting employment (H-2)
⚠️ NHIS records show that D-2 and D-4 visa holders had their self-employed insured application temporarily deferred until February 28, 2021. Since that date is in the past, check the official NHIS page for the current rule that applies to your visa type.
⚠️ A self-employed person who employs a foreign worker must report the worker’s employee insured eligibility to NHIS, along with the workplace details.
How Health Insurance Premiums for Foreigners in Korea Are Calculated
Health insurance premiums for foreigners in Korea are calculated differently depending on whether you are enrolled as the employee insured or the self-employed insured.
Employee insured formula
Your monthly contribution equals your monthly average wage multiplied by the contribution rate. NHIS states the contribution rate as 7.19% as of 2026.
Self-employed insured formula
Your monthly contribution equals your contribution score multiplied by the value per score. The contribution score is the sum of scores for your household’s income, property, and any car you own, and the value per point is currently KRW 211.5. Because this formula draws on income, property, and vehicle ownership together, two households with similar income can end up with different contribution scores.
| Employer type | Contribution share |
|---|---|
| Company | Employer: 50% / Employee: 50% |
| Government office | Government: 50% / None |
| Private school teachers | Employee: 50% / Employer: 30% / Government: 20% |
Contribution Rate and Value Per Point
NHIS reviews and updates the contribution rate and the value per point on a regular basis. The rate and value per point that apply to you depend on the year your contribution is calculated, so always check the current figures before you budget for your premium.
| Year | Employee insured rate | Self-employed value per point (KRW) |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 5.8% | 170 |
| 2016 | 6.12% | 179.6 |
| 2020 | 6.67% | 195.8 |
| 2023 | 7.09% | 208.4 |
| 2026 | 7.19% | 211.5 |
⚠️ This table shows only a sample of years for readability. The official NHIS table read for this guide also lists rates and values for most other years between 2012 and 2026; check the NHIS official page for the complete year-by-year history.
Payment, Reductions, and Exemptions
For the employee insured, the premium is deducted directly from salary each month. For the self-employed insured, the householder pays the contribution monthly. In both cases, the payment due date is the 10th of the following month.
NHIS lists several reduction categories that lower the amount you owe, depending on where you live and work.
- Insured working in remote islands or areas: 50% reduction
- Self-employed insured living in farming or fishing villages: 22% reduction
- Support for farmers and fishermen: 0-28% reduction, applied on application for self-employed insured in rural or semi-rural areas engaged in farming, fishing, livestock, or forestry
- Vulnerable households: 10-30% reduction for self-employed subscribers
There are also situations where the contribution payment is exempted entirely.
- The insured who work abroad and have no dependents in Korea
- Persons who are in jail
- Persons carrying out their military duty
⚠️ If the insured fails to pay contributions, NHIS may collect the amount by authority under the law.
Applying for Exclusion from Employee Insurance
If you already have equivalent medical coverage through foreign law, foreign insurance, or your employment contract, you can apply to exclude yourself from the employee insured system.
This exclusion option is set out under the enforcement decree of the National Health Insurance Act, article 76, and the enforcement regulation of the same law, article 61. It applies to overseas Korean nationals and foreigners who are the employee insured and who can prove they receive equivalent coverage. The sources describe this exclusion only for the employee insured category, not for the self-employed insured.
- Confirm you can prove medical benefits equivalent to Korean health insurance, either under foreign law or insurance, or through your contract with your employer
- Submit the Employee Health Insurance Withdrawal Application form within 14 days of the date your eligibility acquisition was reported, so the date of loss of eligibility matches the date of acquisition
- Submit the reporting form of eligibility for the employee insured to NHIS, attaching the required documentary evidence, along with the declaration of disqualification filed by your company
Adding Dependents to Your Coverage
Dependents of the employee insured can also be added to your coverage. NHIS defines a dependent as a person who is mainly supported by the employee insured and whose income or property falls below the standards set by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
- Total of all income (business, finance, pension, employment, other income, etc.) must be less than 20 million KRW per year
- A business registration with no business income is acceptable
- No business registration and annual business income of less than 5 million KRW is acceptable (housing rental income earners are excluded from this option if they have any income, regardless of business registration)
- Disabled persons and those eligible for compensation for national merit or veterans must have total business and residential rental income of 5 million KRW or less
- If the dependent is married, both spouses must meet the income requirements; if either spouse fails to meet them, both spouses are excluded from dependent status
Property is also checked. One’s property tax base must 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. For a sibling, the property tax base must be 180 million KRW or less. Property types counted include land, buildings, houses, ships, and aircraft.
- The spouse of the employed insured
- Lineal ascendants of the employed insured, including lineal ascendants of the spouse
- Lineal descendants of the insured employee and their spouses, including those of the spouse
- Unmarried siblings who meet the income and property requirements and are over 65 years old, under 30 years old, disabled, or eligible for national merit or veterans compensation (the age limit does not apply to disabled persons or those eligible for national merit or veterans compensation)
To register a dependent, you need a dependent qualification report along with documents proving the relationship and eligibility.
- A copy of the dependent qualification (acquisition/loss) report
- A certificate from the Family Relations Register verifying the family relationship, required only if the relationship cannot be confirmed through the resident registration record, plus other documents verifying dependent eligibility
- A disability registration card, or documents proving veteran or national merit status, if applicable (both spouses must submit these if both are applicable)
If the dependent is a foreigner or overseas Korean, additional documents apply.
- Alien registration card or domestic residence report card
- A document issued by a foreign government or competent authority confirming the family relationship or marriage/divorce, confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Apostille of the relevant country, and dated within 9 months of that confirmation
- At least two pieces of personal information, such as name and date of birth, so NHIS can confirm the relationship between the dependent and the employee insured
- A Korean translation notarized by a notary public, if the original document is not written in Korean
⚠️ If you are in a de facto marriage, NHIS requires extra documents, including a written guarantee of the relationship from two Korean national guarantors, a detailed certificate of marital status for both parties, and objective supporting or notarized documentation confirming the relationship was established and continues.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current rate for health insurance premiums for foreigners in Korea?
As of 2026, NHIS states the employee insured contribution rate as 7.19% of monthly average wage. Self-employed insured contributions use a contribution score multiplied by a value per point of KRW 211.5.
Do foreigners have to join national health insurance in Korea?
Yes. Foreigners working at an insured company are compulsorily subscribed as the employee insured. Foreigners who have stayed in Korea over six months are also mandatorily subscribed as the self-employed insured. The exclusion option described below applies only to the employee insured category.
Can a foreigner opt out of health insurance in Korea?
An employee insured foreigner may apply for exclusion if they can prove equivalent medical benefits through foreign law, foreign insurance, or a contract with their employer, by submitting the Employee Health Insurance Withdrawal Application within 14 days of their eligibility acquisition date. This exclusion applies to the employee insured category; the sources do not describe an equivalent exclusion for the self-employed insured.
Who pays the employer share of health insurance premiums?
At a private company, the employer and employee each pay 50% of the contribution. At government offices, the government pays 50%. For private school teachers, the employee pays 50%, the employer 30%, and the government 20%.
When are health insurance premiums due each month?
The payment due date is the 10th of the following month, for both the employee insured and the self-employed insured.
Because health insurance premiums for foreigners in Korea depend on your visa type, your wage or household finances, and which insured category you fall into, confirm your exact figures with NHIS before you plan your monthly budget. Check the official NHIS English page for the current contribution rate, value per point, dependent criteria, and any reductions or exemptions that may apply to your situation.
Last checked: September 25, 2026. Rules, fees and required documents in Korea change often, and some depend on your visa type and district office. Always confirm the current details on the official pages below before you go.
Official sources
- Contribution Rate National Health Insurance | 영어 사이트
- Guidance for foreigners National Health Insurance | 영어 사이트