Here's how the Korean National Health Insurance (NHI) system works for foreigners. Anyone staying six months or more must enroll; for employees it's automatic and handled by the employer, while the self-employed and students register at their local NHI branch. As for premiums in 2026, employees pay about 3.5% of salary split 50/50 with the employer, the self-employed pay based on income and property (usually 100,000 to 200,000 KRW a month), and students pay a fixed rate of around 130,000 KRW a month. On coverage, you generally pay 30% for doctor visits and prescription drugs and 20% for hospital stays, basic dental treatment is covered while cosmetic work is not, and eye exams are covered but glasses and contacts are not. To register, visit your local NHI branch with your passport, ARC, and proof of address, and it's usually processed the same day. A few tips: keep medical receipts for your year-end tax deduction, download the NHI app (건강보험) for easy claims, consider private insurance (실비보험) for broader coverage, and remember that in an emergency you can go to any hospital and NHI applies automatically.