Do I need health insurance in South Korea as a digital nomad?
Yes. Digital nomads staying in South Korea for more than a short visit generally require private health insurance, especially if applying for the F-1-D Workation (Digital Nomad) Visa, which mandates proof of medical coverage. Travellers entering visa-free or on the K-ETA also commonly choose to have insurance because private clinics and hospitals may request payment before treatment.
Visa requirement
Questions such as is travel insurance mandatory for South Korea or do you need travel insurance for South Korea usually relate to the F-1-D Workation Visa, which requires documentation of private medical coverage. As of November 2025, the South Korea digital nomad visa requires applicants to show private medical insurance of at least KRW 100,000,000 for medical treatment and repatriation. After six months in the country, visa holders must join the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS).
Paying for care
Visitors without insurance should expect to pay directly by card or cash when seeking treatment at many private facilities. Some insurers offer arrangements such as direct payment for inpatient stays, depending on the provider.
Typical medical expenses
Routine outpatient visits in South Korea can be relatively affordable, while hospital treatment, imaging, or emergency procedures can be significantly higher in cost. Travellers often choose insurance to help manage these expenses during longer stays.
Practical considerations for digital nomads
South Korea’s healthcare system is modern and efficient, but factors such as limited English at some clinics, upfront payment procedures, or the need for medical evacuation in rare severe cases can make coverage useful for longer trips.
💡 In short: Digital nomads staying beyond a brief visit, or applying for the F-1-D visa, are generally required to hold private health insurance, and many travellers choose to have coverage to manage potential medical expenses during their stay in South Korea.
Travel insurance vs digital nomad insurance: Which one do I need for South Korea?
Travellers staying in South Korea for more than a short visit often compare South Korea travel insurance with South Korea digital nomad insurance, especially when applying for the F-1-D Workation (Digital Nomad) Visa, which requires private medical coverage. The two types of insurance work differently and are designed for different trip lengths.
Duration of coverage
- Travel insurance is usually designed for short trips with fixed start and end dates.
- Digital nomad insurance typically offers monthly or annual coverage that can continue while you’re abroad, making it easier to stay insured during longer stays.
Visa documentation
- Travel insurance may or may not provide the documentation required for long-stay visas.
- Digital nomad insurance often provides certificates or proof of coverage suitable for long-term travel or visa applications, depending on the insurer.
Purchase timing
- Travel insurance often needs to be purchased before leaving your home country.
- Digital nomad insurance can usually be started or extended from abroad, which can be helpful if you are already in South Korea.
Work considerations
- Travel insurance may exclude anything beyond tourism, including remote work.
- Digital nomad insurance is generally structured for travellers who work from abroad, such as freelancers or remote employees.
Activities & lifestyle
Coverage varies widely, so travellers should always check their policy wording. Differences may include:
- Whether skiing, surfing, or trekking are included
- Whether add-ons are needed for certain activities
- Whether limits differ between outdoor sports and standard medical treatment
Bottom line
For short visits, travel insurance for Korea may be sufficient depending on your needs.
For longer stays, especially when applying for the F-1-D visa, travellers often look at digital nomad insurance because it is designed for extended trips and typically provides the type of documentation required for long-term stays in South Korea
Genki: Health-first coverage for long-term stays in South Korea
Genki Traveler is a medical-focused international insurance plan designed for long-term travellers. It provides a high annual medical limit, a low deductible, and documentation that many long-stay travellers use when applying for visas such as South Korea’s F-1-D Workation (Digital Nomad) Visa.
Key features of Genki in South Korea
- Monthly price: From €52.50
- Coverage limit: Up to €1,000,000 per insurance year.
- Deductible: €50 per insurance case, waived for inpatient stays.
- Waiting period: A 14-day waiting period applies at the start if you are already abroad without prior coverage (emergencies covered).
- Sports: The insurer’s document lists exclusions for hiking, trekking, and climbing above 4,000 m and professional sports, meaning activities below that threshold are not excluded.
- Home-country coverage: Limited; the insurer states they expect travellers to have local healthcare access in their home country.
- Support services: Includes 24/7 emergency assistance and direct payment for inpatient hospital stays.
How Genki relates to long-term stays in South Korea
Travellers applying for the F-1-D visa must show private medical coverage of at least KRW 100,000,000, including treatment and repatriation. Genki Traveler provides an annual limit of €1,000,000, which exceeds this requirement in monetary value. Travellers can request insurance certificates from Genki when needed for formal documentation.
Coverage considerations
The Genki Traveler documents state that the plan includes medically necessary treatment such as outpatient care, inpatient care, diagnostics, surgery, prescribed medication, medical materials, physiotherapy (up to 6 sessions per case), and medically necessary repatriation.
This structure outlines the type of medical care included, which can be helpful for travellers reviewing coverage details for longer stays in South Korea.
Limitations to be aware of
According to the insurer’s documents, Genki Traveler does not cover:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Mental health care
- Preventive care
- Maternity care
- Rehabilitative care
- Dental care, except up to €1,000 following an accident
- Alternative treatments (e.g., acupuncture, chiropractic)
- Search and rescue
- Sports above 4,000 m
- Professional sport
✅ With its medical-focused design and high annual limit, Genki Traveler is often considered by travellers who want a plan that aligns with the formal documentation requirements for longer stays in South Korea.
SafetyWing: Flexible travel + health coverage for region-hopping nomads
SafetyWing Essential offers a mix of travel and medical benefits, making it a familiar option for digital nomads who move between South Korea and other destinations in the Asia-Pacific region. Its structure includes both health coverage and travel protections, which can be useful if you’re spending time in cities like Seoul or Busan while taking regular trips to nearby countries.
Key features of SafetyWing in South Korea
- Price: Starts from $56 per 4 weeks
- Coverage limit: $250,000 per policy period
- Travel protections: Includes features such as trip interruption, lost checked luggage, and travel delay, as shown in the insurer’s materials
- Coverage structure: Designed as a combined travel + medical plan with worldwide coverage outside your home country
- Flexible setup: Can be purchased for specific dates or set to renew automatically when travelling long-term
How SafetyWing fits long-term stays in South Korea
Travellers who use South Korea as a base often look for a plan that continues to work while visiting nearby regions like Japan, Taiwan, or Southeast Asia. SafetyWing Essential combines medical coverage with travel-related protections, which can align with the needs of nomads who move between countries throughout the year.
Coverage considerations
SafetyWing Essential provides medical coverage up to a $250,000 limit along with various travel benefits. As with any international plan, travellers should check the full policy wording to understand the scope of medical care, travel protections, and exclusions during their stay in South Korea.
Limitations to know
According to the insurer’s documents, SafetyWing Essential without add-ons does not cover:
- Pre-existing conditions (except limited emergency treatment).
- Maternity care beyond certain complications.
- Cancer treatment.
- Mental health coverage.
- Limited home-country coverage.
- Coverage for injuries linked to alcohol/drug misuse.
- High-risk or professional sports excluded unless added via upgrade.
- Routine or preventive care.
- Coverage for STDs or HIV-related conditions.
- Cosmetic or elective procedures.
The full list of exclusions can be found in the latest SafetyWing Essential policy, and travellers should review it in detail before relying on coverage.
✅ With its combination of travel and medical features, SafetyWing Essential is often considered by nomads who want flexible coverage that supports frequent movement between South Korea and other nearby destinations.
Genki vs SafetyWing: Side-by-side comparison for South Korea
Travellers planning long-term stays in South Korea often compare Genki Traveler and SafetyWing Essential. The table below highlights their core differences across medical limits, features, billing, and travel protections.
Best insurance 2025 comparison table
Genki Traveler
- Medical coverage limit€1,000,000 per year
- Deductible€50 per case (waived for inpatient)
- Coverage focusMedical-only
- Travel benefitsNot included
- Sports & activitiesExcludes activities above 4,000 m and professional sports; medically necessary treatment for other activities unless excluded
- Billing methodDirect payment for inpatient stays
- Home-country rulesLimited; expects access to local care
- Visa documentationCan provide coverage certificates
- Regional flexibilityFocus on worldwide medical care
- Emergency support24/7 assistance
SafetyWing Essential
- Medical coverage limit$250,000 per policy period
- Deductible$0 deductible
- Coverage focusMedical + travel protections
- Travel benefitsTrip interruption, lost checked luggage, travel delay
- Sports & activitiesWide list of included sports; conditions apply; add-on available for higher-risk sports
- Billing methodMostly reimbursement; exceptions possible
- Home-country rulesShort emergency visits allowed with caps per 90 days
- Visa documentationCan provide coverage certificates
- Regional flexibilityUseful for multi-country travel across Asia
- Emergency support24/7 assistance
| Category |
Genki Traveler |
SafetyWing Essential |
| Medical coverage limit | €1,000,000 per year | $250,000 per policy period |
| Deductible | €50 per case (waived for inpatient) | $0 deductible |
| Coverage focus | Medical-only | Medical + travel protections |
| Travel benefits | Not included | Trip interruption, lost checked luggage, travel delay |
| Sports & activities | Excludes activities above 4,000 m and professional sports; medically necessary treatment for other activities unless excluded | Wide list of included sports; conditions apply; add-on available for higher-risk sports |
| Billing method | Direct payment for inpatient stays | Mostly reimbursement; exceptions possible |
| Home-country rules | Limited; expects access to local care | Short emergency visits allowed with caps per 90 days |
| Visa documentation | Can provide coverage certificates | Can provide coverage certificates |
| Regional flexibility | Focus on worldwide medical care | Useful for multi-country travel across Asia |
| Emergency support | 24/7 assistance | 24/7 assistance |
Genki Traveler and SafetyWing Essential differ in structure, medical limits, travel protections, sports rules, and how medical bills are handled. Travellers usually compare the two based on their health-care needs, documentation requirements, and how often they plan to move between countries while using South Korea as a base.
What’s important hen choosing insurance for South Korea?
When staying in South Korea as a digital nomad, the key considerations are visa requirements, access to private healthcare, and how well your plan supports longer stays or regional travel. South Korea has excellent medical facilities, but visits to private hospitals often involve upfront payment, and visa applicants must provide specific proof of coverage.
1. Visa documentation
The F-1-D Workation Visa requires private medical insurance with at least KRW 100,000,000 in coverage. Travellers usually check whether their plan can provide the documentation needed for long-term visa applications.
2. Hospital access
Many private hospitals in Seoul and Busan request payment before treatment. Understanding whether your insurer offers direct billing or reimbursement-only can affect how you plan for medical visits.
3. Coverage limits and out-of-pocket costs
Medical expenses for specialist visits, imaging, or emergency treatment can add up quickly. Travellers often compare overall coverage limits, how deductibles work, and whether inpatient care is handled differently from outpatient care.
4. Regional travel flexibility
Digital nomads frequently take side trips to destinations such as Japan, Taiwan, or Southeast Asia. Plans that maintain coverage during multi-country travel can be useful if South Korea is your main base.
5. Pre-existing conditions
Most international policies have exclusions for chronic or ongoing conditions. Travellers with known medical needs usually review these terms closely to understand how their situation is treated.
6. Outdoor and adventure activities
South Korea’s landscape offers skiing, snowboarding, trekking, surfing, and water sports. Insurance plans vary in how they treat activities like high-altitude trekking, winter sports, or adventure sports, so checking this area is important for active travellers.
7. Language support
Many smaller clinics operate primarily in Korean. Access to 24/7 English-language assistance can make it easier to navigate appointments, billing questions, and emergencies.
Do expats in South Korea need health insurance?
Expats living long-term in South Korea generally choose more than emergency-only coverage. Daily life often involves routine check-ups, prescriptions, and ongoing care that short-term digital nomad insurance isn’t designed to handle. Korea also requires certain foreign residents to join its national system after a period of residence.
National Health Insurance Service (NHIS)
Most foreign residents on long-term visas, including F-1-D Workation Visa holders after six months, must enroll in the NHIS. It offers access to local clinics and hospitals at reduced cost. Many expats pair NHIS with private international insurance to keep broader protection for situations that fall outside the national system.
Private international insurance
Some expats combine NHIS with a long-term international plan for benefits such as higher medical limits, global coverage, and English-language support. Plans designed for extended stays, such as Genki Native or SafetyWing Complete, may include features that go beyond basic nomad insurance, such as preventive care, outpatient treatment, or additional coverage options. Availability and terms depend on the specific insurer and policy.
Hospital access
South Korea has high-quality healthcare, and international clinics in cities like Seoul and Busan cater to foreigners. Smaller clinics may require upfront payment, so expats often check how their chosen insurer handles billing and reimbursement.
Routine and ongoing care
Long-term residents typically need more than emergency treatment. Services like annual check-ups, prescriptions, dental care, maternity options, or chronic condition management depend on the combination of NHIS and any private coverage an expat chooses.
Bottom line
Expats in South Korea usually look at a mix of NHIS and private international insurance to balance everyday healthcare access with protection for larger or unexpected medical costs. Coverage needs vary, so reviewing both national requirements and private policy options is an important part of preparing for a long-term stay.
👉 For a full breakdown of regional long-term coverage, see our guide: Best Long-Term Travel Insurance in Southeast Asia
Final recommendation: What is the best insurance for digital nomads in South Korea?
There is no single “best” insurance for every digital nomad in South Korea. Travellers usually compare plans based on their medical needs, visa requirements, and how often they move between countries in the Asia–Pacific region.
Some plans focus primarily on medical coverage and documentation that travellers may need when preparing long-stay visa applications. Others combine medical and travel benefits, which can be useful for nomads who use South Korea as a base while visiting nearby regions.
Both Genki Traveler and SafetyWing Essential are commonly reviewed by digital nomads because they offer online enrollment and international coverage. Travellers often look at factors such as coverage limits, billing methods, deductible structures, travel protections, and how each plan supports longer stays in South Korea’s healthcare system.
