What happens to my health insurance when I leave Korea or travel?

If you pay your own (regional) insurance and stay abroad for a month or more, you lose coverage from the day after you leave. NHI doesn't cover treatment while you're abroad. What to do 1. Before a long trip, ask NHIS how your status and premiums will be handled. Workplace subscribers' benefits are suspended while abroad, and dependents who stay abroad a month or more lose dependent status. 2. Premiums are charged by the month, so you may still owe the premium for the month you leave. 3. Don't let family use your insurance or pick up prescriptions for you while you're abroad. NHIS reclaims what it paid. 4. Coming back after a month or more: for most statuses, the 6-month wait for regional coverage starts again from your re-entry date. 5. If you had coverage before leaving and return within 6 months on the same status, tell NHIS on your entry date and pay premiums for your time away to get coverage back right away. Good to know • Trips shorter than a month don't end regional coverage, and premiums keep running. Official sources • Seoul FAQ, abroad over a month: https://global.seoul.go.kr/hmpg/sinf/cnew/faqu/bordContDetail.do?mode=W&bbs_no=13&pst_no=4726CBB9CDC5007CE063C0A8A023AF0A&lang=en • NHIS FAQ, coming back from abroad (Korean): https://www.nhis.or.kr/nhis/minwon/wbhaba03600m01.do?mode=view&articleNo=11003157 • NHIS standard for foreign residents (Korean): https://www.nhis.or.kr/lm/lmxsrv/law/lawFullContent.do?SEQ=41 This is general information, not legal advice. Your case may differ, so ask NHIS (1577-1000, English 033-811-2000) if unsure. Checked by the Verihood team on October 3, 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the official source before you act.