International Student Health Insurance Korea 2026: Monthly Cost and What Happens If You Don't Pay
Bottom line: This applies only to international students on a D-2 (degree) or D-4 (non-degree, e.g. language training) visa — not tourists or short-term visitors. Degree-seeking students are enrolled in National Health Insurance (NHIS) automatically from the day they enter Korea; non-degree trainees are enrolled once they pass six months in the country. There's no opt-out.
If you didn't know: As of 2026 the student premium is 79,320 won a month — a 50% discount off the average premium paid by other local (self-employed) subscribers. Skip payments and NHIS blocks insurance benefits on any treatment until the arrears are cleared, meaning you pay the full bill in cash, and unpaid premiums can also count against you when immigration reviews a stay extension or status change.
Monthly premium 79,320 won (2026) · Enrollment start: degree students (D-2) from entry date, non-degree (D-4) from the 6-month mark · Billing notices go through your university's international office · Inquiries: National Health Insurance Service 1577-1000 (foreigner line).
Under the National Health Insurance Act, the exemption that let international students opt out ended on March 1, 2021, making NHIS enrollment compulsory. Student premiums are discounted against the average local-subscriber premium — the discount started at 30% in 2021 and has been fixed at 50% since March 2023. Both Sungshin Women's University and Seoul National University of Science and Technology's international offices list the 2026 student premium as 79,320 won a month. The average 2026 premium for a non-student foreign local subscriber is 158,630 won — almost exactly double, which is how the 50% discount shows up. Multiple university notices confirm that unpaid premiums block insurance benefits until cleared. This was checked on the official notice pages of Sungshin Women's University and Seoul National University of Science and Technology's international offices on 2026-11-03.
This article summarizes official guidance and is not legal, medical, or financial advice.
Journey stage: Falling behind on this can count against you when you apply for a stay extension or change of status · Verified 2026-11-03
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