Going to a hospital in Seoul, step by step

Emergencies — call these first

Finding an ER: the emergency medical portal e-gen.or.kr maps emergency rooms and pharmacies that are open right now. ER co-payments depend on whether your case is a true emergency; for minor problems a daytime clinic is far cheaper.

Which hospital to go to first

Korea's system runs clinic → hospital → general hospital → tertiary hospital. Colds, stomach aches and minor injuries are fastest and cheapest at a neighborhood clinic, and tertiary (university) hospitals require a referral letter for insurance to apply.

• How bills and coverage work is explained in the health insurance guide.
• Public health centers (one per district) offer vaccinations, TB screening and basic care at low cost, and foreigners are welcome.
• At night and on holidays, search e-gen for Moonlight children's hospitals and holiday pharmacies.

What to bring

• ARC (or passport) — to confirm health insurance coverage
• List of current medications and allergies — written in English it speeds up the visit
• Payment — most places take cards; a few clinics are cash only
• Referral letter — when visiting a tertiary hospital
• Interpreter — book the support below in advance or bring a family member or friend

Afterwards, collect the receipt, itemized statement and medical certificate. You need them for private medical insurance, the EPS accident insurance and Seoul's medical cost support.

Interpreters — how to get one for free

Seoul Medical Interpreter Companion Service (2026)

• Who: foreign residents and multicultural families living in Seoul, including foreign workers and international students
• What: a professional medical interpreter accompanies you to the hospital, free up to 4 times a year. Priority goes to serious cases — tests, surgery, admission
• Languages (10): English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Mongolian, Russian, Thai, Khmer, Hindi, Urdu
• Apply: on the Seoul Global portal at least 3 days before the hospital visit

International clinics at major hospitals

Seoul National University Hospital, Severance, Asan Medical Center, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul St. Mary's and others run international healthcare centers that coordinate care in English (some also in Chinese, Russian, Arabic). Appointments are required and an international-service fee may apply, so ask about costs when booking.

Phone interpretation

If you need an interpreter during a consultation, call 1345 or 1330 and ask for a three-way call with the medical staff. WeBring can also arrange in-person accompaniment or phone interpretation.

Inpatient and surgery cost support — Seoul medical support program

If you have no medical coverage of any kind and need admission or surgery, Seoul Metropolitan Government pays most of the bill.

• If you were injured at work, this program does not apply — file for industrial accident insurance (COMWEL 1588-0075). Undocumented workers can also file.
• EPS (E-9) workers already hold accident insurance for non-work death and illness — see the EPS insurance guide.

Pharmacies and prescriptions

• Prescription medicine is dispensed at a pharmacy, not the hospital. You get two copies of the prescription (one for the pharmacy, one to keep); the pharmacy copy is usually valid for 3 days.
• NHI applies to medicine too — you pay 30% of dispensing and drug costs (some drugs are non-covered).
• Safe over-the-counter drugs — fever reducers, cold medicine, digestive aids, pain patches — are sold at 24-hour convenience stores.
• If the instructions are hard to follow, photograph the medicine bag and ask 1345 or WeBring.

After the visit — paperwork and claims

1. Get the receipt and itemized statement from the billing desk right away (reissues are possible later).
2. A medical certificate is non-covered (around KRW 10,000–20,000) and is used for insurance claims, your employer, and visa-related explanations. Ask for an English certificate before it is issued.
3. If you hold private medical expense insurance, claim with the receipt, itemized statement and certificate (or doctor's note). Plans open to foreigners are explained at insurance for foreigners.
4. If a serious illness affects your stay (long admission, extension for treatment), consult your Immigration Office with the certificate about an extension of stay or Miscellaneous (G-1) status — see G-1 extension documents.

All the numbers

• 119 emergency · 1339 KDCA · 1345 Immigration Contact Center · 1330 tourist hotline · 1577-1366 Danuri Call Center
• 1577-1000 NHIS · 1588-0075 COMWEL (industrial accidents)
• 02-2133-9244 Seoul Health Policy Division (medical support) · Seoul Global portal (interpreter booking)
• WeBring — hospital booking, accompaniment and phone interpretation, help reading documents: care and emergency support.