Do I need health insurance in South Korea as a digital nomad?
Yes, you need health insurance in South Korea as a digital nomad, especially if you plan to stay longer than the 90-day K-ETA or apply for the new F-1-D Workation Visa, which requires proof of substantial coverage. Even short-term digital nomads benefit from insurance, as private hospitals often expect upfront payment and bills can be steep.
- Visa requirement: The F-1-D Digital Nomad Visa requires private medical insurance of at least KRW 100,000,000 (~$74,000 USD) for treatment and repatriation. After 6 months, you’ll be enrolled into the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS).
- High medical costs: A routine clinic visit may cost ₩50,000–100,000 ($40–80), while hospital stays or emergency procedures can run into the thousands.
- Upfront payment: Without insurance, expect to pay cash or card before treatment; insurers with direct billing can save you this stress.
- Local risks: Winter sports accidents (Pyeongchang), surfing/diving injuries (Busan/Jeju), scooter/road accidents, and seasonal fine dust or flu outbreaks.
- Language barrier: Most doctors speak Korean only; 24/7 English-speaking insurer support helps you navigate the system.
- Evacuation reality: For rare but severe cases, medical evacuation to another hub (Tokyo, Singapore) may be recommended. Coverage ensures this isn’t a financial shock.
💡 In short: Whether for visa compliance or peace of mind, insurance in South Korea is essential to avoid high costs and to access care smoothly.
Travel insurance vs digital nomad insurance: Which one do I need for South Korea?
You’ll typically need digital nomad insurance or expat health insurance in South Korea if you’re staying more than a few weeks, working remotely, or applying for the F-1-D Workation Visa. Standard travel insurance usually won’t cover longer stays or visa requirements.
- Duration of coverage:
- Travel insurance: Limited to short trips (30–60 days, often with a fixed return date).
- Digital nomad insurance: Ongoing monthly or annual plans, renewable while abroad.
- Visa documentation:
- Travel insurance: Rarely provides official certificates required for visas.
- Digital nomad insurance: Can issue certificates that meet F-1-D Workation Visa requirements.
- Purchase timing:
- Travel insurance: Must usually be bought before departure.
- Digital nomad insurance: Can be started or extended while already in Korea.
- Work coverage:
- Travel insurance: Excludes remote work activities.
- Digital nomad insurance: Designed for freelancers and remote employees.
- Activities & lifestyle:
- Travel insurance: Often excludes skiing, surfing, or trekking.
- Digital nomad insurance: Covers these by default (Genki) or via add-ons (SafetyWing), fitting Korea’s snow resorts and coastal waters (always check your policy).
👉 Need more details? Check our full breakdown: Travel insurance vs digital nomad insurance: what you really need.
Genki is the stronger choice if you’re applying for South Korea’s F-1-D Workation Visa or staying several months. It’s a pure health insurance plan with high medical coverage, a low deductible, and official documentation that supports visa compliance.
Key features of Genki in South Korea
- Monthly price: From €52.50 (~$58).
- Coverage limit: Up to €1,000,000 annually.
- Deductible: €50 per claim (waived for inpatient stays).
- Waiting period: 14 days for non-emergencies (waived for emergencies or if you had prior coverage).
- Sports included by default:
- Skiing & snowboarding (on-piste, perfect for Pyeongchang)
- Surfing (unless big-wave surfing) & recreational diving (up to 30m, with certification)
- Trekking up to 4,000m
- Martial arts training (non-professional)
- Paragliding
- Home-country coverage: Up to 6 weeks if you’ve been abroad for at least 4 weeks.
- Support services: 24/7 English assistance and options for direct billing at select private hospitals in Korea.
Unique benefits for South Korea
- Visa compliance: Meets the F-1-D Workation Visa’s insurance requirement (≥ KRW 100,000,000 / ~$74,000 USD). Genki can issue the official certificates immigration expects.
- Peace of mind for high-cost care: Private hospital bills for emergencies or surgeries can easily reach thousands of dollars. Genki’s €1M annual cap provides much broader protection than SafetyWing’s $250k.
- Nomad-friendly structure: Flexible month-to-month terms, cancellation anytime, and full coverage for most sports common in Korea.
Limitations to be aware of
- Excludes pre-existing or chronic conditions.
- Mental health, preventive care, and maternity are not covered.
- Dental coverage is accident-only (up to €1,000).
- Alternative medicine (e.g., acupuncture, chiropractic) not included.
✅ Best for: Digital nomads applying for the F-1-D visa, staying more than 3 months, or anyone wanting strong health coverage with low out-of-pocket costs. (Note: always check if the latest Visa Requirements are met by the insurance policy before purchasing.)
SafetyWing is ideal if you’re using South Korea as a hub to explore Asia-Pacific or want a single policy that mixes health and travel coverage. While its medical cap is lower than Genki’s, SafetyWing adds extras like luggage protection and trip interruption that Genki doesn’t include.
Key features of SafetyWing in South Korea
- Monthly price: From $56 per 4 weeks (~$60/month) for ages 18–39, with higher costs for older nomads
- Coverage limit: $250,000 per policy period.
- Deductible: $250 per incident (applies to outpatient and inpatient care).
- Policy length: Flexible 5–364 day terms, auto-renewable until age 70.
- Home-country coverage: Up to 30 days every 90 days (15 days for U.S. citizens).
- Travel extras included:
- Trip interruption
- Lost luggage (up to $3,000 per policy, $500/item, $6,000 lifetime)
- Civil unrest evacuation
- Accidental death & dismemberment
- Liability coverage
- Sports coverage: Wide range included by default; add the Adventure Sports upgrade for higher-risk activities like skiing or snowboarding.
- Add-ons available: Electronics protection, U.S. coverage, and extra sports coverage.
Unique benefits for South Korea
- Regional flexibility: Great if you’ll be bouncing between Korea, Japan, Taiwan, or Southeast Asia, all covered under one plan.
- Travel + health in one: Protects both your medical needs and your belongings, which is handy in Korea’s busy cities and airports.
- Automatic renewals: Keeps coverage active without you having to reapply every month.
Limitations to be aware of
- Lower medical cap ($250k vs. Genki’s €1M).
- Higher deductible ($250 vs. Genki’s €50).
- Excludes routine check-ups, preventive care, cancer treatment (standard plan), maternity, and most chronic conditions.
- Direct billing is less common, expect to pay first and claim later.
✅ Best for: Budget-conscious nomads using Seoul or Busan as an Asia base, those who value travel extras, and nomads on shorter stays who want flexible coverage.
Genki vs SafetyWing: Which insurance is better for South Korea?
The key difference is that Genki focuses on high-limit health insurance built for visa compliance, while SafetyWing combines health + travel extras for nomads moving around Asia.
Visa compliance for South Korea digital nomad insurance
✅ Genki can issue official insurance certificates and provides higher coverage limits that align with the F-1-D Workation Visa requirements. Always confirm with Korean immigration before purchasing insurance.
❌ SafetyWing may not always meet South Korea’s visa standards, making it better suited for tourists and non-visa stays.
Medical coverage limits of digital nomad insurance providers
✅ Genki covers up to €1,000,000 annually (~$1.1M).
❌ SafetyWing is capped at $250,000 per policy period.
Deductible for Genki and SafetyWing
✅ Genki requires only €50 per claim (waived for inpatient).
❌ SafetyWing has a $250 deductible per incident, even for smaller outpatient treatments.
Travel extras with your insurance
❌ Genki focuses only on health insurance.
✅ SafetyWing includes lost luggage, trip interruption, liability, and civil unrest evacuation.
Sports & adventure coverage in South Korea
✅ Genki includes skiing/snowboarding (on-piste), surfing, diving up to 30m, trekking up to 4,000m, martial arts, and paragliding.
❌ SafetyWing requires an Adventure Sports add-on for many of these activities.
Hospital access in South Korea
✅ Genki supports direct billing for inpatient stays at some private hospitals.
❌ SafetyWing usually requires you to pay upfront and claim later.
Choose Genki if you’re applying for the F-1-D Digital Nomad Visa, plan to stay 3+ months, or want stronger medical protection with minimal out-of-pocket costs.
Choose SafetyWing if you want a flexible, budget-friendly plan with travel extras, and plan to use Korea as a base while exploring Asia.
What’s important when choosing insurance for South Korea?
The most important factors when choosing insurance for South Korea are visa compliance, access to private healthcare, and flexibility for regional travel. Costs can rise quickly, and the F-1-D Workation Visa has specific documentation requirements.
- Visa documentation: If you apply for the F-1-D visa, your insurer must issue certificates that prove coverage of at least KRW 100,000,000 (~$74,000 USD).
- Private hospital access: International-standard hospitals in Seoul and Busan expect upfront payment unless your insurer offers direct billing.
- Deductible size: Genki’s €50 deductible (waived inpatient) is lower than SafetyWing’s $250 per incident, making it easier on frequent doctor visits.
- Natural disaster risks: Coverage should include typhoons, monsoon flooding, and earthquakes, which are possible in South Korea.
- Asia-Pacific coverage: Useful if you plan side trips to Japan, Taiwan, or Southeast Asia from Korea.
- Pre-existing conditions: Most budget nomad policies exclude ongoing or chronic conditions. If you know you need ongoing support, check if the provider offers add-ons.
- Adventure sports: South Korea is popular for skiing, snowboarding, trekking, and surfing. Check whether these are included (Genki covers many by default, SafetyWing may require add-ons).
- Language support: 24/7 English assistance is critical since most local clinics and smaller hospitals operate mainly in Korean.
💡 Tip: If you’re applying for the F-1-D visa, look into Genki’s higher medical cap and visa-ready documents. If you’re mainly traveling regionally, SafetyWing’s flexibility and travel extras might be more valuable.
Do expats in South Korea need health insurance?
Yes, expats in South Korea need health insurance because long-term living brings different healthcare requirements than short-term nomad stays. While digital nomad insurance is useful for visas or emergencies, expats often need ongoing access to Korea’s healthcare system, including routine check-ups, chronic condition management, and higher coverage limits.
- National Health Insurance Service (NHIS): Most foreign residents on long-term visas, including F-1-D Workation Visa holders after 6 months, are required to join the NHIS. It provides access to local clinics and hospitals at reduced cost, but it doesn’t cover everything, and the enrollment process can be complex for newcomers.
- Private international coverage: Many expats add an international plan like Genki or SafetyWing for higher limits, English-language support, and Asia-wide protection. This is especially useful in Korea, where language barriers and upfront payments are common at smaller clinics.
- Hospital choice: South Korea has excellent hospitals, particularly in Seoul and Busan, with international clinics catering to foreigners. Some can arrange direct billing with global insurers, though many still require payment first.
- Routine and preventive care: Expats often need more than emergency cover, such as annual check-ups, prescriptions, dental care, or maternity services. These are typically excluded from basic nomad plans but are available through long-term expat insurance.
- Emergency evacuation: In rare severe cases, transfers to nearby hubs like Tokyo or Singapore may be required. A policy with full evacuation coverage ensures you won’t face large unexpected costs.
- Best fit: If you’re in South Korea for more than 6 months, consider whether basic nomad coverage is enough. Genki also offers long-term plans (Genki Native) with preventive and routine treatment, making it a stronger choice for expats than SafetyWing’s more travel-focused plan.
👉 For a full breakdown of regional long-term coverage, see our guide: Best Long-Term Travel Insurance in Southeast Asia (routine care, higher limits).
💡 Bottom line: Expats in South Korea should look beyond emergency-only insurance and choose coverage that balances everyday healthcare access with protection against major medical costs.
Final recommendation: What is the best insurance for digital nomads in South Korea?
The best insurance for digital nomads in South Korea depends on whether you need visa-ready health coverage or flexible travel + health protection.
- Choose Genki if you’re applying for South Korea’s F-1-D Workation Visa, staying longer than 3 months, or want strong medical protection with low deductibles and visa-ready documentation.
- Choose SafetyWing if you prefer a flexible, budget-friendly plan that combines health and travel extras, and plan to use Korea as a hub for exploring Asia.
Both providers are trusted by the nomad community, allow fast online sign-up, and give peace of mind in South Korea where medical care is excellent but expensive without coverage.
