National Why foreigners without employers' support pay higher health insurance premiums in South Korea
Published : March 14, 2025 – 16:11:00 Updated : March 14, 2025 – 17:14:22
Link copied!
Policy mandates foreigners pay full average health premium if below national average
Foreign residents in South Korea face an increasing financial burden from health insurance premiums, as their costs continue to rise at a disproportionate rate compared to local subscribers.
According to data from South Korea’s health insurance authorities released Friday, the average monthly health insurance premium per household for foreign residents who are enrolled in the universal health care system as “local subscribers” has steadily increased over the past five years, rising from 118,180 won ($81) in 2021 to 135,280 won this year. The premium for a local subscriber is calculated based on their asset level, while “employer-provided” subscribers pay a premium determined by their income.
Foreign nationals who have lived in South Korea for more than six months are eligible to apply for the national health insurance system. However, if they are unemployed or self-employed, they must apply under the “local subscriber” category, rather than the employer-provided plan. Even if a foreign worker is employed but the employer does not cover the insurance premium, they still must register under the local subscriber category.
Meanwhile, the average monthly premium for all local subscribers has declined from 90,864 won in 2020 to 82,186 won in 2024, widening the gap between the two groups to 1.62 times as of 2024.
The root of this disparity stems from a policy introduced in 2019, which mandates that if the calculated premium for a foreign local subscriber falls below the national average —encompassing all insured individuals, including those with employer-provided coverage— they must still pay the full average premium amount. Since local subscribers do not benefit from employer contributions toward their insurance, they typically face higher premiums than their employed counterparts, leading to an automatic increase in the minimum premium for foreign local subscribers.
Health authorities argue that it is difficult to accurately assess the income and assets of foreign local subscribers, making it necessary to apply a universal minimum premium. However, critics say this approach disproportionately impacts foreign workers, particularly those in low-income brackets, forcing them to pay more than they otherwise would under a system that fairly evaluates their financial status.
Foreign local subscribers also face limitations in family coverage. While Korean local policyholders can include parents, unmarried siblings and even in-laws under their household coverage, foreign nationals can only include their spouse and minor children. As a result, families living together — such as migrant workers with elderly parents or adult children — are required to pay separate premiums for each member, placing a heavier financial strain on them.
In addition, foreign residents face harsher penalties for unpaid premiums. If a foreign subscriber fails to make payments, their health coverage is immediately suspended until the full amount is settled, leaving them without medical protection. In contrast, Korean subscribers can still receive health care benefits if they have missed fewer than six payments or have made partial repayments.
As the debate over fair treatment for foreign national workers in South Korea continues, advocates emphasize the need for reforms that would bring the national health insurance system in line with global standards and prevent excessive financial burdens on vulnerable groups.
Yoon Suk Yeol ruling likely to set record for longest impeachment case
President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment case is likely to set a record as Korea's lengthiest presidential impeachment case.
Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron dated when they were legal adults: agency
Homeplus downplays bankruptcy fears, commits to full debt repayment
North Korea slams Japanese ruling party’s constitutional amendment push
Germany under Merz committed to Indo-Pacific with South Korea: director general
EBay Japan chief vows to advance K-beauty growth in Japan
Herald Interview
Mini Aceman: The all-electric new kid on the block
Behind the Wheel
AtoZ into Korean Mind
Decoding the Korean psyche through keywords
Herald Interview
A series of in-depth interviews.
Survive & Thrive
A guide to living in South Korea for those new to the country
K-pop 101
The world of K-pop explained, for both fans and newcomers
Controversial YouTuber Johnny Somali pleads guilty to all charges in Seoul court
If convicted, US YouTuber Johnny Somali likely to be deported, face reentry ban: legal expert
N. Korean cargo ship suspected of smuggling coal collided with Chinese ship in Yellow Sea: source
Police disclose identity of teacher in fatal stabbing of student in Daejeon
North Korean IT workers forced into brutal workloads, surveilled 24/7: report
Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron dated when they were legal adults: agency
Kim Soo-hyun to address allegations of dating Kim Sae-ron next week
N. Korean cargo ship suspected of smuggling coal collided with Chinese ship in Yellow Sea: source
Kim Soo-hyun denies dating allegations involving late actress Kim Sae-ron
North Korean IT workers forced into brutal workloads, surveilled 24/7: report
Address : Huam-ro 4-gil 10, Yongsan-gu,Seoul, Korea Tel : +82-2-727-0114 Online newspaper registration No : Seoul 아03711
Date of registration : 2015.04.28 Publisher. Editor : Choi Jin-Young Juvenile Protection Manager : Choi He-suk
The Korea Herald by Herald Corporation. Copyright Herald Corporation. All Rights Reserved.