Medical Help

Health and Emergency

Know how to get treatment, use insurance, and find help in urgent situations.

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Note: This page provides general health information only — not medical advice. Insurance policies, coverage, and costs vary. Consult a qualified healthcare provider and verify insurance details with your provider directly.

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Clinics vs Hospitals

Korea has a clear two-tier system — knowing which to visit saves time and money.

▸Local clinics (의원/병원) handle most everyday issues: colds, minor injuries, prescriptions
▸Bring your ARC card and health insurance card — most clinics charge 5,000–20,000 KRW after insurance
▸University hospitals and general hospitals are for more serious conditions; expect longer waits
▸Many clinics near universities have basic English-speaking staff — call ahead if unsure
▸For recommended international-friendly clinics, search "외국인 진료" near your area

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This is general information only — not medical advice. For health concerns, consult a qualified medical professional in person.

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National Health Insurance (NHIS)

Most foreign students become eligible for public health insurance after a period of stay.

▸Foreign nationals who have stayed in Korea for 6+ months are generally enrolled automatically in NHIS
▸Students enrolled at universities may be eligible earlier — check with your school's international office
▸Monthly premiums vary; your school or district office (구청) can help with registration
▸Once enrolled, you typically pay 30–50% of clinic fees; the rest is covered
▸Check your status at nhis.or.kr or call 1577-1000 (multilingual support available)

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Insurance eligibility rules can change. Verify your status directly with NHIS (nhis.or.kr) or your university, not solely based on this page.

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Pharmacies

Pharmacies (약국) are everywhere and can handle many minor issues without a doctor visit.

▸You can buy common over-the-counter medicines directly — cold medicine, pain relief, digestive aids
▸For prescription medicine, bring your prescription (처방전) from the clinic
▸Pharmacies are usually open until 9–10 PM; some operate 24 hours in larger areas
▸Pharmacists can give basic guidance — pointing and using a translation app works fine in most cases

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Ask your pharmacist to write the dosage instructions clearly. Keep medication packaging for reference.

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Emergency Contacts

Save these before you need them.

▸119 — Ambulance and fire (operators have basic English assistance available)
▸112 — Police (criminal emergencies)
▸1339 — Medical advice hotline, 24 hours (some English support)
▸1345 — Foreign residents helpline, 24 hours, multilingual
▸Your university health center number — useful for non-emergencies during campus hours

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Save all of these in your phone now. In a real emergency, every second matters.

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Mental Health

Adjusting to a new country is genuinely hard. Support is available.

▸Many universities offer free counseling services for enrolled students — check your student portal
▸Korea Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 1393 (24 hours, Korean; some English support)
▸International mental health services vary by city — ask your international office for a referral
▸Apps like Talkspace or BetterHelp work in Korea if English-language therapy is needed

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Struggling is not unusual when living abroad. Reaching out early is always the right call.

📍 Find Nearby Healthcare

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Pharmacy

OTC medicine · No prescription needed

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Travel Insurance for Students — SafetyWing

Recommended

Best option before joining NHIS or when your university insurance falls short. Around $45/month, covers medical costs worldwide, no long-term commitment.

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Health and Emergency

Clinics vs Hospitals

National Health Insurance (NHIS)

Pharmacies

Emergency Contacts

Mental Health

Travel Insurance for Students — SafetyWing

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