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Your Guide to Korea's Free National Health Check-up

Your complete guide to the free national health check-up for foreigners in Korea. Learn how to confirm your eligibility, find a clinic, and book an appointment.

Evan Han
Evan Han
CEO & Founder of FOHO, a housing platform for foreigners in Korea. Experienced in rental market trends, proptech innovation, and foreign tenant support.
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Your Guide to Korea's Free National Health Check-up

Table of contents

Your Guide to the Free National Health Check-up for Foreigners in Korea

If you are a foreigner living and working in South Korea, you are likely enrolled in the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). This service provides more than just coverage for doctor visits. It also offers a valuable, and often overlooked, benefit: a free, comprehensive health check-up every two years.
Many foreigners are unaware they are eligible for this service, which is designed to detect major health issues early. This guide explains everything you need to know to take advantage of this free benefit, from checking your eligibility to understanding your results.

1. Who is Eligible for a Free Check-up?

Eligibility for the general health check-up is quite straightforward.
  • Workplace Subscribers (직장가입자): All office workers enrolled in the NHIS through their employer are eligible.
  • Dependents (피부양자): Dependents registered under a workplace subscriber (e.g., a spouse) are also eligible if they are 20 years of age or older.
  • Regional Subscribers (지역가입자): Most regional subscribers are eligible. This includes self-employed individuals and freelancers.
The check-ups are offered on a two-year cycle, based on your birth year.
  • If your birth year ends in an odd number (e.g., 1991, 1995): You are eligible in odd-numbered years (e.g., 2025, 2027).
  • If your birth year ends in an even number (e.g., 1992, 1996): You are eligible in even-numbered years (e.g., 2024, 2026).
How to Officially Check Your Eligibility: The most reliable way to confirm is through the official NHIS website.
  1. Visit the NHIS website (nhis.or.kr).
  1. Log in using your digital certificate (공동인증서).
  1. Navigate to the health check-up section (건강검진) to see your eligibility status for the current year.
You will also receive a physical notification by mail at your registered address when it is your year for a check-up.

2. How to Find a Clinic and Book an Appointment

You cannot go to just any hospital. You must visit a clinic or hospital that is officially designated for national health check-ups.
Step 1: Find a Designated Hospital Use the official NHIS "Find a Hospital" tool on their website.
  1. Go to the NHIS Website > English > Policies > National Health Screening Program. There you can find information, and on the Korean site, you can search for a hospital.
  1. Alternatively, go directly to the Korean search page: 건강iN > 검진기관/병원찾기 (Find a Check-up Institution/Hospital).
  1. Select your city and district to see a list of eligible clinics near you.
Step 2: Book Your Appointment Once you find a few convenient locations, you need to call to make a reservation. Some larger hospitals may offer online booking, but calling is most common.
When you call, use this simple phrase:
"Guk-ga geon-gang geom-jin ye-yak-ha-go ship-eo-yo." (국가건강검진 예약하고 싶어요) "I would like to book a national health check-up."
The receptionist will likely ask for your name and Alien Registration Number (외국인등록번호) to confirm your eligibility.

3. Preparing for Your Check-up: Important Tips

To ensure your test results are accurate, you must follow a few simple rules before your appointment.
  • Fast for 8-10 Hours: You must not eat or drink anything (except small amounts of water) for at least 8 hours before your check-up. This is critical for accurate blood sugar and cholesterol tests. It is best to schedule a morning appointment.
  • Avoid Alcohol: Do not drink alcohol for at least 2-3 days before your exam.
  • Inform the Clinic About Medications: If you take prescription medication (e.g., for blood pressure), ask the clinic for instructions when you book your appointment.
  • What to Bring: Bring your Alien Registration Card (ARC). It is also helpful to bring the notification letter you received in the mail, but it is not always required.

4. What the General Health Check-up Includes

The standard check-up is comprehensive and covers the basics of preventative health. You can expect the following tests.
Test Item
What It Measures
Why It's Important
Physical Measurements
Height, weight, waist circumference, and Body Mass Index (BMI).
Provides a baseline for your overall physical health and risk of obesity-related conditions.
Vision & Hearing Test
Basic tests for eyesight and hearing ability.
Detects early signs of sensory decline.
Blood Pressure
Measures the pressure of blood against your artery walls.
Screens for hypertension (high blood pressure), a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
Urinalysis
Checks for protein, sugar, or blood in your urine.
Can indicate early signs of kidney disease or urinary tract infections.
Chest X-Ray
An image of your lungs and heart.
Primarily screens for tuberculosis and other lung abnormalities.
Blood Tests
A series of tests analyzing a blood sample.
Checks for: - Anemia: Low red blood cell count. - Liver Function: Levels of enzymes like AST and ALT. - Kidney Function: Creatinine levels. - Cholesterol: Lipid levels related to heart disease risk. - Blood Sugar: Screens for diabetes.
Additional Cancer Screenings: Depending on your age and gender, you may also be eligible for free cancer screenings, including for stomach, liver, colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer. The notification letter will specify which screenings you are eligible for. Source: NHIS National Health Screening Program Details

5. Understanding Your Results

Your results will be sent to you by mail within 2-3 weeks. Many hospitals also allow you to view them online through their website or app.
The results sheet will show your value for each test next to the "normal range" (정상 범위).
  • If your results are within the normal range, no immediate action is needed.
  • If any result is outside the normal range, the report will often recommend a follow-up consultation (재검사 or 2차 검진) with a doctor for a more detailed examination. It is highly recommended that you attend this follow-up appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is the check-up really 100% free? A: The standard general health check-up and eligible cancer screenings are free. If you request additional tests not covered by the standard program, you will have to pay for them.
Q: What if I miss my designated year? A: You can call the NHIS hotline (033-811-2000 for English) and request to be registered for the following year. This is not always guaranteed, so it's best to get your check-up during your assigned year.
Q: Will the hospital staff speak English? A: This varies greatly. Major hospitals in large cities like Seoul are more likely to have English-speaking staff. When searching for a hospital, you may want to look for "international clinics." However, the process is very standardized, and staff can often guide you through with simple gestures.
Q: How long does the check-up take? A: The entire process usually takes between 1 to 2 hours.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional for any health concerns. Information is accurate as of late 2025 but is subject to change.

Your life in Korea, made more comfortable and secure with FOHO.

A stable home is just as important as your health. But finding one can be difficult due to communication issues with landlords and uncertainty about listings.
FOHO was built to solve this. We connect you with verified homes, and our dedicated team provides seamless communication support with landlords to help you settle in comfortably. Find your next home with confidence.
Sources
  1. National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) - National Health Screening Program
      • The official English website of the NHIS, providing a general overview of the purpose and types of the National Health Screening Program.
  1. National Health Insurance Service - Hospital & Clinic Finder
      • The official page to search for designated hospitals and check-up centers by region and type of screening.
  1. Korea Ministry of Government Legislation - Health Screening Standards
      • The official Ministry of Health and Welfare regulation specifying detailed standards such as eligibility, test items, and frequency for national health check-ups.

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