Is this your situation?
- I went to hospital without insurance and the bill was very high.
- My parents have insurance but I do not know if I am covered.
- I arrived recently. Can I join already?
- I am worried about how much the premium will be.
Rights you should know
Employees join through their workplace
If you are employed by a company you are enrolled as a workplace subscriber, regardless of nationality.
Long-term residents join as local subscribers
Foreign nationals who have stayed in Korea for six months or more are enrolled as local subscribers. Conditions differ by visa status, so check with the service.
Family coverage is possible in some cases
If a parent is a workplace subscriber, a child may be covered as a dependent, subject to eligibility rules confirmed by the service.
Insurance cuts hospital costs sharply
When insurance applies, the service pays a large part of the treatment cost, so your own payment is far smaller.
Try this
- 1.
Call 1577-1000 to check your eligibility
Give your alien registration number and visa status and they will tell you whether you can enrol.
- 2.
Visit a local NHIS branch
Bring your passport and alien registration card and staff will guide you through enrolment.
- 3.
Arrange interpretation in advance
Use the Danuri Call Center (1577-1366) or ask your local Family Center for interpretation support.
- 4.
Ask about support if premiums are hard to afford
Some regions run medical cost support schemes. Ask your Family Center or community service centre.
Please note
Eligibility and premiums depend on your visa status and income. Always confirm your own case with the National Health Insurance Service (1577-1000).
You might also want to know
- Hospital & Health
아픈데 병원에 어떻게 가야 하나요?
한국에서는 보통 동네 병원(의원)에 먼저 가고, 필요하면 큰 병원으로 갑니다. 언어가 걱정된다면 통역 도움을 받을 수 있습니다.
Reviewed 6 September 2026 한국어 - Visa & Stay
내 체류자격이 무엇인지, 무엇을 할 수 있는지 알고 싶어요
체류자격은 한국에서 무엇을 할 수 있는지 정해주는 기준입니다. 내 자격을 정확히 아는 것이 모든 절차의 시작입니다.
Reviewed 6 September 2026 한국어
Where to get help
National Health Insurance Service 1577-1000
How they can help
Handles health insurance enrolment, premiums and eligibility, including rules for foreign residents.
- Opening hours
- Weekdays 09:00-18:00
- Area
- Nationwide
- Languages
- 한국어 · English · 中文 · Tiếng Việt
Danuri Call Center 1577-1366
Emergency lineHow they can help
A 24-hour multilingual call center for migrants, covering daily-life questions and violence support.
- Opening hours
- 24 hours
- Area
- Nationwide
- Languages
- 한국어 · English · 中文 · Tiếng Việt · +
Local Family Center (Multicultural Family Support)
How they can help
Local centres offering Korean lessons, interpretation and study support. On the Family Center portal (familynet), choose your city or province to see nearby centres and their contact details.
- Area
- Nationwide
Immigration Contact Center 1345 (HiKorea)
How they can help
Multilingual advice on visa status, extensions and alien registration. Office visits are booked on HiKorea.
- Opening hours
- Weekdays 09:00-18:00
- Area
- Nationwide
- Languages
- 한국어 · English · 中文 · Tiếng Việt · +
Before you call, try saying this
If you are not sure how to start the call, use these sentences as a guide. They are only examples and do not replace advice from the organisation.
- 1. “Hello. I'm calling because I'd like some advice about Hospital & Health.”
- 2. “This is what happened. (Briefly say when, where and what happened.)”
- 3. “Is there anything I can do? What should I prepare?”
Tips for the call
- If Korean is hard for you, ask: "Can I get advice in another language?"
- Keep dates, places and things like text messages or contracts next to you so it is easier to explain.
- You only need to give your name or contact details if the counsellor asks for them.
Follow the organisation's own guidance on how advice works. If you are in danger now, call 112 (police) or 119 (ambulance) straight away.
Sources for this page
- 국민건강보험공단 · 국민건강보험공단
Describe your situation in your own words. Write in any language and the answer comes back in that language.
Ask about my situation