Health Insurance Considerations for Overseas Stay and Frequent Travel
Today, I will address the three most common questions asked by individuals applying for dual citizenship, particularly those aged 65 and over.
The three key questions are:
Let’s go through each one in order.
First, let’s look at when health insurance coverage starts.
For those applying for dual citizenship, National Health Insurance coverage as a Korean national begins once nationality acquisition is fully completed.
However, to ensure that coverage is properly activated, it is recommended that you call the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) customer center to confirm that your insurance eligibility has been registered before visiting a hospital.
After your Resident Registration Number is issued, it usually takes 2 to 3 business days for the information to be fully registered in the system.
For confirmation, you can call 1577-1000.
Previously, under F-4 Overseas Korean status, health insurance coverage only began after six months from the date of entry.
However, once you acquire Korean nationality, you are covered as a Korean national, and health insurance benefits continue to apply even if you leave and re-enter Korea.
Many people ask how to apply for health insurance, but no separate application is required. National Health Insurance enrollment is automatic. Once eligibility registration is completed, a billing notice will be sent, and you can begin using health insurance benefits without any additional procedures.
Second, let’s discuss health insurance premiums.
For F-4 visa holders, the health insurance premium is based on the average premium paid by Korean nationals in the previous year, which is approximately KRW 150,000 per month.
After nationality recovery, premiums are calculated under the same criteria as Korean nationals, based on income and assets.
If you have no income or assets, the monthly premium is typically around KRW 20,000 to 30,000.
Third, let’s address how health insurance works when you stay in Korea short-term and frequently travel abroad.
This question is commonly asked by individuals who live overseas but enter Korea for medical checkups or hospital treatment.
In such cases, health insurance benefits can still be applied without issue.
However, if you stay abroad for more than three months, your health insurance benefits will resume from the day after you re-enter Korea.
At that time, you must call the NHIS customer center to reactivate your suspended insurance eligibility.
Premium payments will also resume from that point.
If you plan to stay abroad for more than three months, it is strongly recommended that you apply for health insurance eligibility suspension before or shortly after departure.
By doing so, you will not be charged health insurance premiums while abroad, and both eligibility and premium payments will automatically resume upon your return.
Please note that this suspension policy only applies to overseas stays of three months or longer. For short trips of one or two months, eligibility suspension is generally not permitted.
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