Health Insurance (NHIS) for International Students in Korea
If you study in Korea, you are part of Korea's National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). It makes doctor visits affordable, but you must pay every month. Here is what you need to know.
Who is enrolled, and when
- D-2 degree students: enrolled automatically from the date of foreigner registration (ARC).
- D-4 language students: enrolled automatically after 6 months in Korea.
Enrollment has been mandatory for international students since March 2021.
How much you pay (2026)
Students get a 50% reduction. In 2026, a D-2 student pays KRW 79,320 a month. The full rate without the reduction would be about KRW 158,630.
Some websites say students pay about KRW 39,660. That is wrong: it applies the 50% reduction twice.
How to pay
- The payment is due by the 25th of each month.
- Pay at a bank, ATM, convenience store, on the NHIS website or app, or set up auto-debit.
- Signing up for e-billing and auto-debit gives you a small discount.
What happens if you don't pay
- Late fees are added.
- Your insurance benefits stop until you pay.
- Unpaid premiums can cause problems when you extend your visa.
What you pay at the doctor
With NHIS, you pay only part of the cost. Roughly:
| Where | Your share (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Local clinic (의원) | 30% |
| Hospital (병원) | 40% |
| General hospital (종합병원) | 50% |
| Staying in hospital | About 20% |
For a cold or small injury, start at a local clinic. It is the cheapest and fastest.
Need help?
Call the NHIS call center at 1577-1000 and choose the foreign language option (English and other languages, weekdays 9:00–18:00). Many universities also have their own student insurance, so ask your international office too.
