Expat insurance and health insurance in South Korea

A universal, mandatory health insurance system, run by the NHIS (National Health Insurance Service). Employees of an affiliated company contribute equally with their employer (50/50); self-employed and unemployed people contribute under a points system based on income and assets, with a flat minimum for a new arrival with no Korean financial history (exact amount varies by local fund, not disclosed uniformly).

The outpatient co-payment rises with the level of facility consulted: 30% of the agreed rate at a local clinic, 40% at a hospital, 45 to 50% at a general hospital, up to 60% at a tertiary/university hospital (access generally subject to a referral letter). Hospitalisation applies a uniform rate of 20% (reduced to 5% for a registered cancer, 10% for a rare disease), with an annual out-of-pocket cap set according to income.

• General requirement: since July 2019, any foreigner resident in South Korea for more than 6 months must register with the NHIS; registration becomes automatic past that point in the absence of a validated exemption. An employee hired by an affiliated company is enrolled from the hiring date, regardless of length of stay.
• Possible exemption for beneficiaries of the France-South Korea bilateral agreement, CFE members or holders of equivalent private insurance — application to be filed with the NHIS (directly or via the employer) and to be renewed every year.
• France-South Korea working holiday visa: unlike Japan, proof of medical insurance covering illness, disability, repatriation and hospitalisation for the entire stay is required in the visa application — see our working holiday visa insurance. Once 6 months of residency are reached, NHIS registration also becomes mandatory.
• Student (D-2/D-4 visa): NHIS registration mandatory once the stay exceeds 6 months, with a contribution reduction of 50 to 70% depending on the period — see student insurance abroad.
• Seconded employee: may, subject to conditions and for a foreseeable duration not exceeding 36 months (renewable once under certain conditions), remain affiliated to the French scheme (including health cover) via a secondment certificate.
• Failure to contribute: according to the French Embassy in Seoul, late payment leads to limited benefits in case of hospitalisation, restrictions on visa renewal or extension applications, and possible garnishment of wages or assets.

France-South Korea social security agreement signed on 6 December 2004 (general administrative arrangement of 19 May 2006), in force since 1 June 2007. It coordinates only disability, old age and survivors' risks — no cover for healthcare received in South Korea under French entitlements.

• For a retiree or ordinary resident: CLEISS recommends voluntary affiliation to the CFE or private insurance.
• Case of secondment: a French employer may, subject to conditions and for a foreseeable duration not exceeding 36 months (renewable once), keep an employee affiliated to the French scheme (including health cover) via a secondment certificate; any extension or exemption is subject to review by the Korean fund (NPS).
• Outside a covered secondment, every French resident remains subject to the NHIS registration requirement.

• Working holiday visa application: file with proof of medical insurance (illness, disability, repatriation, hospitalisation), aged 18-30, quota of 2,000 places/year (never reached), funds required (€2,500 + return ticket, or €3,500 without a ticket).
• NHIS registration: automatic after 6 months of residency in the absence of a validated exemption; for an employee, from hiring at an affiliated company.
• NHIS exemption (bilateral agreement, CFE or private insurance): application to be filed with the NHIS and renewed every year.
• Seconded employee: request the secondment certificate before departure from the French fund, via the employer; any extension is submitted for review to the Korean fund (NPS).
• Registration with the roll of French nationals living abroad (French Embassy in Seoul) recommended beyond 6 months.
• Voluntary affiliation to the CFE recommended by CLEISS, especially for retirees not covered by secondment.