National Health Insurance in Korea: Who Has to Enroll, and How (2026)
The Basic Rule
Since July 2019, foreign nationals staying in Korea for six months or longer are required to enroll in the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). Long-stay visa holders on D, E, and F series visas are automatically enrolled after six months of residence, unless a faster path applies to your visa type (see below).
Visas That Skip the Six-Month Wait
Several visa categories are enrolled immediately, with no waiting period: D-2 (international student) visa holders have been mandatory NHIS enrollees since March 1, 2021. D-4-3 holders (elementary, middle, and high school language students) are also enrolled right away. F-visa holders (F-2, F-4, F-5, F-6) and employee subscribers on E-visas, D-8, and similar work visas can enroll immediately upon Residence Card (ARC) registration.
If You’re Employed
If you’re hired by a Korean employer, your employer is legally required to enroll you immediately as a “Workplace Subscriber” — you don’t wait at all in this case, regardless of visa type.
Who’s Not Eligible
Short-term tourist visas (B-1, B-2) generally don’t qualify for NHIS, and neither do most diplomatic visas. If you’re on a C-4 or D-1 visa, or another non-resident status, check with NHIS directly, since you may not qualify for enrollment at all.
2026 Premium Rates
For employed foreigners, the 2026 rate is 7.19% of salary, split evenly — 3.595% deducted from your paycheck, and 3.595% covered by your employer. Regional (self-employed or non-workplace) subscribers are assessed differently, based on income and assets.
Why It Matters
Without NHIS, medical costs in Korea can be steep for anything beyond routine care. Once enrolled, you pay a small fraction of the cost for most hospital visits, prescriptions, and procedures — the same system Korean citizens use.
Foreigner eligibility note: Enrollment is mandatory (not optional) for most long-stay visa holders after either an immediate start (D-2, D-4-3, F-2/4/5/6, work visas) or a six-month wait for other long-term visas. Short-term tourist and most diplomatic visas are not eligible.
