Korean healthcare is fast and fairly cheap if you use it the Korean way: go to a neighborhood clinic first, get a referral letter if you need a big hospital, and keep the emergency room for real emergencies. With National Health Insurance you pay a share of each bill, and that share grows with the size of the hospital.
Key facts
| Emergency | Call 119 (ambulance, free); English and other languages available |
| Where to start | A local clinic (의원) for the right specialty; no appointment usually needed |
| Big hospitals | Need a referral letter (요양급여의뢰서) for insurance to apply |
| Your share (outpatient, insured) | About 30% at clinics up to 60% at top hospitals; 20% for hospital stays |
| Bring | ARC or NHIS mobile insurance card, and a payment card |
| Interpretation | 1330 (Korea Travel Hotline, 24 hours) or 1345 (Immigration Contact Center) |
The four levels of care
| Level | Korean | What it is | Typical outpatient share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinic | 의원 (e.g. 내과, 이비인후과, 피부과) | Neighborhood doctor’s office, one specialty, walk in | 30% |
| Hospital | 병원 | Up to a few hundred beds, several departments | 40% |
| General hospital | 종합병원 | Large hospital with many specialties | 50% |
| Tertiary hospital | 상급종합병원 | University hospitals (e.g. Seoul National, Severance, Samsung, Asan) | 60% |
These are the usual rates in cities for insured adults; rural areas, children and older people pay less, and the pharmacy share for medicine is usually 30%. Anything NHIS doesn’t cover (비급여) you pay in full.
There are no “family doctors” or GP registration in Korea. You choose the clinic yourself by specialty: internal medicine (내과) for colds, stomach problems and checkups; ENT (이비인후과) for throat, ear and sinus; dermatology (피부과) for skin; orthopedics (정형외과) for joints and back pain; pediatrics (소아청소년과) for children; OB-GYN (산부인과) for women’s health.
Referrals to big hospitals
To use your insurance at a tertiary hospital, you need a referral letter (요양급여의뢰서, often called 진료의뢰서) from a clinic or hospital. Without one you can still be seen, but you pay the full cost until you hand one in. Exceptions include emergencies, childbirth, registered disabilities, family medicine and dental care. The referral has no fixed expiry, but the hospital may want a recent one.
Many university hospitals have an international clinic (국제진료센터) with English-speaking coordinators. They're convenient, but some charge extra fees. Ask before you book.
Emergencies and the ER
- Call 119 for an ambulance. Public 119 ambulances are free. 119 can also give medical advice and tell you which hospitals and pharmacies are open at night or on holidays.
- Emergency rooms (응급실) are graded: regional emergency medical centers (권역응급의료센터) at big hospitals treat the most serious cases; local emergency centers and institutions handle the rest.
- At the ER, staff triage you on a 5-level scale (KTAS). If you’re judged mild or non-urgent (levels 4 and 5, such as a cold, mild fever, simple diarrhea or a small cut) at a regional or local emergency center, you’ve paid 90% of the bill since 13 September 2024. Expect a much higher bill than at a clinic.
- Non-urgent patients also pay the ER management fee (응급의료관리료) themselves.
Fever and sore throat on a Saturday night: an after-hours clinic, a children's night clinic (달빛어린이병원) for kids, or a holiday-duty clinic will treat you for a fraction of the ER cost. Call 119 or check the E-Gen (응급의료포털) site or app to find one that's open.
At the clinic or hospital
- Reception (접수): show your ARC or the NHIS mobile insurance card (모바일 건강보험증 app). Clinics check your insurance status; without valid coverage you pay the uninsured price.
- Consultation (진료): often short. Write down your symptoms, medicines and allergies in advance, or use a translation app.
- Payment (수납): pay at the desk after the visit. Ask for a receipt (영수증) and, for private insurance claims, the itemized bill (진료비 세부내역서).
- Pharmacy (약국): doctors don’t hand out most medicines. You take the prescription (처방전) to any pharmacy, usually the one next door. Simple medicines such as painkillers are sold over the counter, and convenience stores sell a few basic ones.
What it costs without insurance
If you’re not yet covered, for example in your first 6 months without a job, you pay 100% of the price, and some hospitals charge uninsured foreigners more than the NHIS price list. Ask for an estimate before tests or procedures. See National Health Insurance for when your coverage starts and private health insurance for covering the gap. If you’re uninsured and can’t pay for urgent care, see medical support for uninsured migrants.
Health checkups and other services
- Free NHIS checkups (일반건강검진): insured adults get a general checkup every 2 years (every year for some manual workers). NHIS sends a notice in your eligible year.
- Public health centers (보건소): every district has one, offering vaccinations, some free screenings, and tuberculosis tests sometimes needed for visa applications.
- Very frequent use: people who use outpatient care more than 365 times a year pay 90% of the cost above that limit. In February 2026 the government announced it will lower the limit to 300 visits.
Common questions
Do I need an appointment?
Not at most clinics; you walk in and wait. Big hospitals usually need an appointment, booked by phone, website or app, often weeks ahead.
Can I find an English-speaking doctor?
Yes, especially in Seoul and big cities. Many clinics list foreign languages on map apps. International clinics at university hospitals and the 1330 interpretation line help too. Keep emergency numbers on your phone.
Will hospitals check my visa?
They check your insurance, not your immigration status. Emergency care is given to anyone who needs it.
Is dental care covered?
Basic dental treatment is covered at the clinic rate. Implants (with limited exceptions for older people), braces and many crowns are partly or fully paid by you.
Official sources
This guide explains the general rules as of the date above. Rules change and every case is different, so confirm with the office named here (or the 1345 Immigration Contact Center) before an important decision. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.