AnkyroTravel insuranceSouth Korea
Travel insurance for South Korea.
Korea doesn’t ask tourists for insurance, and the national scheme is not for short trips. Hospitals expect you to pay on the spot, then claim.
The rules
What South Korea asks of visitors.
Checked against official sources on 23 October 2026. Entry rules change, so check again before you fly.
- Not required for entry
Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days for tourism or short business. Insurance is not on the entry list.
Source: gov.uk - K-ETA before you fly
Most visa-free visitors need K-ETA approval before departure. Some, like British nationals, are exempt until 31 December 2026.
Source: gov.uk - National insurance is for long stays
Foreigners join the National Health Insurance Service after 6 months in Korea. A tourist is not covered.
Source: global.lockton.com - Workation visa: 100 million KRW
The F-1-D digital nomad visa needs a private plan with at least 100 million KRW of cover for treatment and transport home.
Source: overseas.mofa.go.kr
What care costs
If something goes wrong, this is the bill.
What a visitor pays without insurance. Prices vary by hospital and change every year.
- You pay at the desk
Payment is expected at the time of care. Korean hospitals don’t charge insurers directly, so you pay and claim later.
Source: travel.gc.ca - Good care, but costly
Medical and dental care is usually of a good standard, but can be expensive. Staff may not speak English.
Source: gov.uk
What to look for
Choosing travel cover for South Korea.
Ankyro checks each of these on every plan, so you don’t have to read the fine print.
- Fast refunds
You pay every bill first. Pick a plan with simple online claims and quick payouts.
- Evacuation and repatriation
Check the plan can move you or fly you home in a serious case.
- Ski and hiking cover
Winter sports and mountain trails are often extras. Add them if you plan to ski or hike.
- Planned treatment
Travel plans don’t pay for planned surgery or cosmetic work. If you go for treatment, check what complications are covered.
Before you land
Sort these before you fly.
- Emergency: 119
Call 119 for an ambulance or fire, and 112 for the police. An interpreter can join the call.
- Mobile data
Set up an eSIM or rent a local SIM at the airport, for maps and calls to your insurer.
- Bring your prescriptions
Carry an English prescription for your medicines, and keep small amounts in your carry-on.
Common mistakes
3 we see all the time.
- 01Expecting to use Korea’s national insurance on holiday. It is for people who stay 6 months or more.
- 02Forgetting K-ETA. Check if your country needs it before you book.
- 03Throwing away receipts. You pay first, so you need every receipt and report to claim.
Travel insurance stops when the trip ends, and most visas for living in Korea don’t accept it. See what Korea asks of residents.
Questions
People also ask.
Do I need travel insurance for South Korea?+
It is not required for entry. But hospitals want payment on the spot, so cover is wise.
Can tourists use Korean national health insurance?+
No. Foreigners join it after 6 months in Korea. Tourists pay the full bill.
What is the emergency number in South Korea?+
Call 119 for an ambulance or fire, and 112 for the police.
Do Korean hospitals accept travel insurance?+
Most won’t bill your insurer. You pay, keep the receipts and claim it back.
Other trips
Going somewhere else?
Visiting Singapore? Care is excellent and expensive. Living here and going abroad? MediShield Life does not pay overseas. Here is what to check.
02Schengen visaA Schengen visa needs travel medical cover of at least 30,000 euros, valid in every Schengen country, with repatriation. Here is what passes, and what doesn’t.
03MalaysiaVisiting Malaysia? Public hospitals charge foreigners full price. Living here and going abroad? Your cover at home stays at home. Here is what to check.
04ThailandThailand doesn’t ask tourists for insurance. But hospitals want a payment guarantee before they treat you, and private care is not cheap. Here is what to know.
05JapanJapan doesn’t ask tourists for insurance yet. But visitors pay the full bill, and unpaid bills can get you refused entry next time. Here is what to know.
06USA visitorsThe US doesn’t ask visitors for insurance. But a few days in hospital can cost more than a car. Here is what care costs, and what a visitor plan must cover.
07Bali and IndonesiaIndonesia doesn’t ask tourists for insurance yet. But a broken leg in Bali can cost over 160 million rupiah, and serious cases can need a flight out. Here is what to know.
08Dubai and the UAEDubai’s law says visitors must be insured, and the 5-year tourist visa asks for proof. Care is good but private, and an unpaid bill can stop you leaving.
09VietnamVietnam doesn’t ask tourists for insurance. But private hospitals cost a lot, and a motorbike crash can stop you leaving the country. Here is what to know.
10SpainPublic care in Spain is free with an EHIC or GHIC. Private clinics, dental care and the flight home are not. Here is what the card leaves to you in Spain.
11MexicoMexico doesn’t ask tourists for insurance. Private hospitals in big cities are good, but most want payment first, and Medicare won’t pay.
12FranceCare in France is not free, even with an EHIC or GHIC. You pay upfront, claim back part, and the flight home is never covered. Here is what to check.
13ItalyThe EHIC and GHIC work in Italy’s public system, but you still pay fees, most medicines and any private doctor. Here is the Italian bill the card leaves you.
14GermanyWith an EHIC or GHIC, most care in Germany costs little. Private extras, mountain rescue and the flight home are on you. Here is what to check.
15PortugalPublic care in Portugal is mostly free with an EHIC or GHIC. Private clinics, medicines and the flight home are not. Here is what to check before you fly to Portugal.
16Costa RicaCosta Rica doesn’t ask tourists for insurance. Only first emergency care is free, private clinics want payment first, and extensions have their own rules.
17ColombiaMost tourists need no visa and no policy for Colombia. If you do need a visa, insurance is part of it. Private clinics want payment first.
19Australia working holidayThe 417 and 462 visas don’t make you buy health insurance. But you pay every medical bill yourself, unless your passport gets you limited Medicare. Here is who is covered and what to buy.
20New Zealand working holidayMost working holiday visas for New Zealand require medical and hospital insurance for your whole stay, and you can be asked for proof when you land. Here is who is exempt and what to buy.