To ensure safety and preparedness in case of emergencies, all international students studying at Dankook University must maintain valid health insurance coverage in Korea for the entire duration of their stay.

Private Health Insurance
  • International students are required to purchase private health insurance that covers medical expenses for injuries and illnesses incurred while in Korea. Students may choose an insurance plan from their home country that best suits their needs, as Dankook University does not have a designated international health insurance provider. It is also crucial that students understand how their insurance operates in the event of a medical issue.
  • To apply for an exemption from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) (details below), students' private insurance must offer unlimited coverage with no restrictions on the number of claims.
Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS)
  • The Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) is a government-operated health insurance program that provides affordable and comprehensive healthcare coverage to all legal residents in Korea. This system ensures that all subscribers have access to essential medical services and treatments without a significant financial burden. For detailed information about NHIS benefits, please visit the official NHIS website.
  • Effective March 1, 2021, the Korean government mandates that all international students holding a valid D-2 student visa and residing in Korea must enroll in the Korean National Health Insurance. This means that in addition to private health insurance, students must also subscribe to NHIS.
  • No action is required on the part of the students for enrollment, as NHIS will automatically enroll them upon their alien registration date. New students will automatically be enrolled in the NHIS after their residence registration, typically in April for the spring semester and in October for the fall semester. Students who have already registered as foreigners in Korea will be enrolled in the NHIS upon re-entry to Korea.
  • NHIS provides both in-kind and cash benefits for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of various diseases and injuries. While NHIS covers most medical expenses, students are generally responsible for about 20% of the treatment costs at the time of service, with NHIS covering the remaining 80%. The monthly premium is approximately 70,000 won. Please note that certain treatments, such as MRI scans, are not covered by NHIS, and the percentage of the cost borne by the student can vary depending on the treatment.
  • After being enrolled in NHIS, students may choose to cancel their private health insurance from their home country, depending on their individual needs and circumstances. However, we strongly recommend maintaining NHIS coverage, as it is convenient and widely accepted in Korea.
  • Students may apply for an exemption from NHIS if they meet specific requirements. Exemption applications can be submitted after residence registration. Detailed instructions on how to apply for an exemption will be provided during the exchange student orientation upon arrival in Korea. Students seeking exemption from NHIS must maintain their private health insurance coverage for the entire duration of their stay in Korea.


We strongly recommend that students maintain both private health insurance and Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) for the following reasons:

  • If a student relies solely on private health insurance, medical expenses without NHIS can be extremely high. Even though students can later file a claim with their private insurance company, they must initially pay out-of-pocket, which can be a financial burden. Moreover, compensation from private insurance might not be guaranteed and vary depending on the policy. *This is an extreme case, but a few years ago, an international student without being enrolled in NHIS experienced a medical emergency and was hospitalized for a week due to a heart condition. The total cost amounted to approximately 8,000,000 KRW (6,000 USD). Had the student been enrolled in NHIS, the cost would have been significantly reduced to around 800,000 KRW (600 USD). The student had difficulty covering the expenses upfront and was unable to leave the hospital until the payment was settled. Moreover, the student later discovered that the student's private insurance did not cover the condition, leaving the student responsible for the full cost.
  • If a student relies solely on NHIS, students may still face substantial costs depending on the situation even if NHIS covers 80-90% of medical expenses. Also, NHIS does not cover the full amount for severe injuries or diseases and does not include coverage for repatriation, loss of property, or other benefits typically offered by travel insurance.