How are NHIS contributions calculated for foreign residents?

The calculation is different for employee insurance and local insurance. The amount on one person’s bill should not be used as a universal estimate.

For an employee-insured person, the monthly health-insurance contribution is the reported monthly wage multiplied by the contribution rate. In 2026 the health-insurance rate is 7.19%, normally divided equally between employer and employee. A separate long-term-care contribution also applies under the official rate. Changes in reported pay can therefore change the amount.

For a locally insured foreign resident, NHIS assesses contribution factors under the local-insurance rules. A special minimum rule also applies: when the calculated household contribution is below the average contribution prescribed for foreign residents, the average can be charged. NHIS’s 2026 notice gives KRW 158,630 per month as the foreign local-insurance average, consisting of KRW 140,210 for health insurance and KRW 18,420 for long-term care. This is a dated 2026 figure, not a permanent amount.

Eligible D-2, D-4 and certain F-4 students can receive a 50% reduction under the current income and property requirements. The reduction is conditional; it does not mean every student automatically pays half of every published amount.

Household composition, income, property, employment, residence status and the timing of a status change can all affect the bill. If an amount appears wrong, ask NHIS for the calculation details and correction procedure before simply stopping payment.

See D-2 and D-4 enrolment and what non-payment can cause. Return to the NHIS guide.

Official sources

• NHIS — contribution calculation and student reduction
• NHIS — 2026 contribution rates and foreign local-insurance average
• NHIS — employee and local contribution rates

Rates and amounts last verified for 2026 on 18 September 2026.