Vietnamese students travelling to South Korea on a D-2 student visa are required to join South Korea's National Health Insurance (NHI) system.

For international students, health insurance is an important monthly living expense to consider while studying in South Korea. In 2026, the average monthly premium for foreign nationals covered as regional subscribers is KRW 158,630, including the Long-Term Care Insurance premium. D-2 students who meet the eligibility requirements for the reduction are entitled to a 50% reduction, bringing the premium to approximately KRW 79,320 per month.

1. Do D-2 international students have to join National Health Insurance?

Yes.

Under South Korean regulations, foreign students holding a D-2 visa are subject to National Health Insurance coverage.

Where the relevant conditions are met, enrolment may be processed automatically based on the foreigner's registration and residence status. In such cases, students do not need to submit a separate application for health insurance as they did under the previous system.

Once enrolled in NHI, international students can use their health insurance when receiving medical examinations and treatment at medical institutions in South Korea, subject to the scope of services covered by the insurance system.

2. How much is the health insurance premium in 2026?

In 2026, the average premium applicable to foreign nationals covered as regional subscribers is:

KRW 158,630 per month

This consists of:

• Health Insurance premium: KRW 140,210 per month

• Long-Term Care Insurance premium: KRW 18,420 per month

This is the average premium applied in cases where the premium calculated based on income and assets is lower than the average premium prescribed for foreign regional subscribers.

Health insurance premiums for D-2 international students

D-2 international students who meet the conditions set out in the regulations may receive a 50% reduction in their health insurance premium.

Based on the 2026 average premium of KRW 158,630:

KRW 158,630 × 50% = KRW 79,315

The 2026 guidance for international students therefore gives a reduced premium of approximately KRW 79,320 per month.

When planning their living expenses in South Korea in 2026, students can therefore use approximately KRW 79,320 per month as a guide for their health insurance costs if they are eligible for the 50% reduction.

3. D-2 international students receive a 50% reduction in their health insurance premium

South Korea's National Health Insurance system provides premium reductions for certain categories of foreign residents with specific residence statuses.

These include D-2 (study) and D-4 (training) visa holders.

For D-2 visa holders, a 50% reduction in health insurance premiums has been applied since March 2023.

However, the actual premium may vary depending on an individual's insurance status and other applicable conditions. Therefore, not every D-2 student will necessarily pay exactly the same amount at all times.

4. How are health insurance premiums calculated for foreign nationals?

Foreign nationals who join National Health Insurance as regional subscribers generally have their premiums calculated based on factors including income and assets.

Where the calculated premium is lower than the average premium applicable to foreign regional subscribers, the average premium may be applied in accordance with the relevant regulations.

For 2026, the average premium is KRW 158,630 per month, including the Long-Term Care Insurance premium.

Therefore, the 7.19% rate applicable to employees covered through their workplace should not be used directly to calculate the health insurance premium for all D-2 international students.

The 7.19% rate is the health insurance contribution rate for workplace subscribers in 2026. For workplace subscribers, the premium is generally shared equally between the employee and the employer, with each paying 50%.

5. When do international students have to pay their health insurance premiums?

Health insurance premiums are paid monthly.

For foreign nationals covered by the relevant system, the premium for the following month is generally required to be paid by the 25th of the current month, in accordance with the applicable payment schedule.

For example, if a student needs to pay the health insurance premium for October, they should pay attention to the deadline of 25 September under the applicable rules.

Students should check their monthly premium notices regularly to ensure that they do not miss the payment deadline.

6. How can international students pay their health insurance premiums?

The National Health Insurance system provides several payment methods, including:

• Automatic bank transfer

• Virtual account transfer

• Payment at a bank

• Electronic payment

• Card payment at NHIS branches

• Other electronic payment methods provided by the National Health Insurance Service

Students can also use the NHIS system to check the amount of their outstanding premium and their payment status.

7. What information should international students check?

After arriving in South Korea, international students should regularly check the following:

1. Health insurance enrolment status

Confirm that you have been registered with the National Health Insurance system.

2. Monthly premium

Do not rely solely on the standard or estimated amount. Check the actual premium charged to you.

3. Payment deadline

Pay attention to the applicable deadline, which may be the 25th of each month. Always check your notice for the exact payment date.

4. Outstanding premiums

If you have any unpaid premiums, deal with them as soon as possible and keep a record of your payment.

5. Changes to personal or residence information

If you change your address, visa status, educational institution or employment status, check whether the change affects your insurance eligibility or premium.

8. If a D-2 student works part-time, is their health insurance premium calculated based on their wages?

This is an area that many international students misunderstand.

The 7.19% rate announced for 2026 is the contribution rate applicable to workplace subscribers.

Therefore, simply working part-time on a D-2 visa does not mean that the student's health insurance premium is automatically calculated by multiplying their part-time wages by 7.19%.

The actual treatment depends on the individual's insurance category, employment circumstances and the regulations applicable to their National Health Insurance coverage.

9. What are the benefits of having National Health Insurance?

International students enrolled in National Health Insurance can receive medical examinations and treatment at medical institutions in South Korea and receive insurance benefits for medical services covered by the NHI system.

However, services that are not covered by National Health Insurance may have to be paid for in full or in part by the patient.

Students should therefore check whether a particular medical service is covered by their health insurance before receiving treatment, especially when the treatment involves significant costs.

10. Key points for Vietnamese international students

The main points regarding health insurance in 2026 can be summarised as follows:

Health insurance premiums and reduction policies may be changed from time to time.

When preparing to study in South Korea or calculating the cost of living, students should therefore check the latest information from the National Health Insurance Service at the time they actually enrol.

Important note:
This article is based on information published and provided during 2026. Actual premiums and eligibility requirements may vary depending on an individual's visa status, study status, income, assets and insurance category. For confirmation of the exact premium payable, students should contact the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) directly.

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