2025 Free Health Checkups in Korea for Foreigners | Who’s Eligible?

When I was a student living abroad, I didn’t really care much about health checkups. I thought, “I’m still young,” and honestly, I just wanted to save money. But now, after years of working overseas and reaching my 40s, I’ve come to realize—getting regular checkups isn’t something to put off anymore.

This year, I’m moving back to Korea. And the very first thing on my to-do list? A full health checkup.

If you're a foreigner living in Korea—maybe working here, maybe studying, maybe raising a family—you might be wondering:
Can I get a free health checkup too?

The good news is: Yes, you can.
As long as you're registered with the National Health Insurance (NHIS) and meet a few basic conditions, you're likely eligible for free or low-cost medical screenings through the Korean National Health Checkup Program.

But of course, the system is a bit complex. Eligibility depends on your visa, your insurance type, your birth year, and even your job status.
So I’ve gathered everything you need to know in one place—based on the most updated 2025 guidelines.

Let’s break it all down, step by step.
This guide is for you—so you can save time, skip the confusion, and focus on your health.

Table of Contents:

1. Types of Health Insurance & Why It Matters
2. Are You Eligible in 2025?
3. What’s Included in the Free Checkup?
4. How to Check Your Eligibility & Make an Appointment
5. What to Expect on Checkup Day
6. FAQs: Common Questions from Foreign Residents
7. Bonus: Smart Tips for Foreigners

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Types of Health Insurance & Why It Matters

Before we dive into the checkup details, there’s one important thing to understand first:
Your health insurance type matters. A lot.

In Korea, everyone who gets health checkups through the national program is covered by the National Health Insurance System (NHIS). But NHIS isn’t just one thing—it’s divided into several categories, and your category determines how often you get checkups, and even what kinds of tests are included.

Let’s look at the three main types for foreigners:

▶ Employee (직장가입자)

If you work for a company in Korea, you're likely enrolled automatically as an employee subscriber. This is the most straightforward case.

• Office workers get a general health checkup every 2 years

• Manual or field workers get it every year, regardless of birth year

▶ Self-employed or Freelancer (지역가입자)

If you're self-employed, a freelancer, or retired, you probably pay into NHIS yourself each month. That makes you a regional subscriber.

• You must be 20 or older, and your birth year matters (more on that next)

• Only certain people in your household may qualify, depending on who pays the premiums

▶ Dependent (피부양자)

If you’re covered under a family member’s insurance (for example, your spouse works and you don’t), you might be listed as a dependent.

• You also need to be at least 20 years old

• Whether or not you're eligible for checkups depends on your birth year and household status

Note: Your checkup eligibility can change if your insurance type changes—like when you switch jobs, start freelancing, or lose dependent status.
Always double-check after any life change.

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Are You Eligible in 2025?

So how do you know if you’re one of the lucky ones this year?

Here’s the trick: eligibility is based on two things
→ your birth year, and your insurance status.

The “Odd/Even Year” Rule

Korea’s NHIS system uses a simple alternating rule to split up checkup demand.

• If your birth year ends in an odd number (like 1987, 1991), you’re eligible in 2025

• If your birth year is even (like 1990, 1992), your turn was in 2024

Most people only get the checkup every two years unless you're in a special category like field worker or over 65.

Age Requirements

You must also meet the minimum age based on your insurance type:

• Employee: 19 or older

• Self-employed or Dependent: 20 or older

• Medical aid recipient (의료급여): 19+ (with different rules)

Special Cases

• Over 65? You may qualify every year

• Work in construction, delivery, or manual labor? You likely get a checkup every year, no matter your birth year

• Registered with NHIS recently? You might have to wait 6+ months after enrollment to be eligible

Let’s say you were born in 1989, work at a Korean company, and have NHIS—
🎉 Congratulations! You’re likely eligible for your free checkup this year.

In the next section, we’ll look at what’s actually included in that checkup—because it’s a lot more than just a blood test.

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What’s Included in the Free Checkup?

If you're used to simple health screenings—like a quick blood pressure check or a couple of questions at a local clinic—get ready to be surprised. Korea’s national health checkup is more thorough than you might expect, especially considering it’s free.

Here’s what you can typically expect:

🔹 Basic Tests for All Eligible Adults

• Height, weight, BMI

• Blood pressure

• Vision and hearing tests

• Blood tests (cholesterol, glucose, liver/kidney function, anemia)

• Urine test

• Chest X-ray

• Oral health/dental check

• Health risk questionnaire (lifestyle, smoking, drinking)

🔹 Age-Specific Extras

The older you are, the more tests you get—because the risk of serious conditions increases.

▶ In Your 20s and 30s

• Mental health screening (for 20- and 30-year-olds only)

• Hepatitis B test (if not already immune)

▶ In Your 40s

• Diabetes and high blood pressure screenings

• Cancer screening begins (like stomach, liver, breast, or cervical cancer depending on sex and age)

▶ In Your 50s

• Cancer screening continues: stomach, colon, liver, breast, cervix

• Bone density check (for some women)

• More detailed blood tests depending on risk

▶ 60 and Beyond

• Cognitive decline screening (memory loss, dementia risk)

• Annual checkups for those 65+

• Chronic condition management

Tip: Not all cancer screenings happen every year.
For example, stomach cancer screening is every 2 years, colon cancer every year.You’ll usually get a notice letter or SMS if you’re due for a cancer screening. No letter? You might not be eligible for that test this year.

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How to Check Your Eligibility & Make an Appointment

So you're probably wondering:
“Okay, am I eligible? How do I find out?”

Good news—there are a few super easy ways to check:

🔳Use the NHIS Website

• Go to NHIS Website

🔳Use the Mobile App ‘The건강보험’

• Available on both iOS and Android

• Search for “The건강보험” in your app store

• Log in, tap 건강검진 대상조회 (Check Eligibility)

This app is foreigner-friendly with icons and menus in simple Korean.
You might need a bit of translation help the first time, but it's quite intuitive.

🔳Call the NHIS (English Support Available)

📞 1577-1000 → Press “7” for English
They’ll ask for your ARC number and date of birth, then confirm your status.

🔳Go to a Nearby Checkup Clinic

Many clinics can check your eligibility directly through your ARC and health insurance number.
Bring your ARC, and ask if you’re due for the 국가건강검진 (national health checkup).

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What to Expect on Checkup Day

You’ve booked your checkup—now what?

Here’s how to prepare and what your experience will likely look like:

Before the Checkup

• Fasting: Don’t eat or drink (except water) for at least 8 hours before your appointment. Especially important for blood tests.

• Medications: Ask your doctor in advance if you should skip your morning dose.

• No alcohol or smoking the night before. Your results will thank you.

• Bring your ARC (Alien Registration Card) and any confirmation message from the clinic.

What to Wear

• Comfortable clothes. You’ll likely change into a clinic gown for some tests.

• No jewelry, nail polish, or heavy makeup.

What Happens at the Clinic

• Arrive early—check-in can take time.

• You’ll move from room to room for each test: height/weight, blood draw, urine sample, X-ray, etc.

• Some clinics might offer coffee or snacks after fasting tests.

Language Tips

• Some hospitals offer English support, especially near expat areas.

• If you don’t speak Korean, bring a Korean-speaking friend—or use a translation app just in case.

• Most basic instructions are clear, and staff are usually helpful.

That’s it! The whole thing usually takes 1–2 hours, depending on how busy the clinic is.

In the next section, we’ll go over the most frequently asked questions foreigners have about the checkup process—like “Can I skip booking?” or “Do I really get it for free?”

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FAQs: Common Questions from Foreign Residents

Here are some real questions foreigners in Korea often ask—beyond just “Am I eligible?”

Q1. What if I joined NHIS less than 6 months ago?
You might not be eligible yet. NHIS usually requires a minimum coverage period (often 6 months) before you can get your first checkup. Check with NHIS directly to be sure.

Q2. I didn’t get a text or letter—am I still eligible?
Yes, you might be. Not all notices are delivered correctly (wrong address, phone number change, etc.).
Always check manually via the NHIS website, app, or phone just to be safe.

Q3. I missed my checkup last year. Can I still take it this year?
Unfortunately, no. If you were eligible in 2024 (even-number birth year) and skipped it, you’ll likely have to wait until 2026. Check with NHIS if there are any exceptions in your case.

Q4. Can I bring a translator or friend with me?
Yes, and it’s actually a good idea. Most clinics don’t mind if a Korean-speaking friend or spouse accompanies you. Just make sure they also bring ID if entering hospital facilities.

Q5. Can I upgrade to more tests during the same visit?
Yes, but it’s not free. You can ask for additional screenings (like thyroid, full abdominal ultrasound, cancer markers), but these are paid separately. Ask the clinic about packages—they often offer them at a discount if you’re already there for the NHIS checkup.

Q6. What happens if something abnormal shows up in the results?
You’ll usually get a follow-up recommendation in the result sheet. It may say something like “See a specialist” or “Repeat test in 3 months.” The checkup clinic won’t treat you, so you’ll need to visit a regular hospital for follow-up care.

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Bonus: Smart Tips for Foreigners

Ready to go the extra mile? Here are some extra tips to make the most of your health checkup experience in Korea:

Look for English-Friendly Clinics

• Some hospitals—especially in Seoul, Busan, or expat-heavy areas—offer English results and staff.

• Search terms like “국가건강검진 외국인 영어 병원” (National health checkup English hospital)

• Try university hospitals or international clinics

Don’t Just Read the Result—Understand It

• The printout might include terms like "suspected," "borderline," or "abnormal."

• Use NHIS resources, or ask a bilingual friend to help interpret.

• You can also take your result sheet to a GP or internal medicine doctor for explanation.

Consider Optional Add-Ons (If You Can Afford It)

• Add-ons like thyroid ultrasound, abdominal ultrasound, or HPV test can be useful depending on your age and health history.

• Ask the clinic staff: "What extra tests do people in their 30s/40s usually add?"

Keep the Results Safe

• The result is usually given as a paper booklet or PDF (via app or text).

• Save it somewhere safe—you might need it for visa renewals, insurance claims, or just your own health tracking.

Plan Ahead for Next Time

• Mark your calendar: if you're eligible in 2025, you'll be up again in 2027.

• If your insurance or job changes, recheck eligibility every year.

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That’s it—you now know more than most locals about Korea’s free health checkup system for foreigners.

Your health is worth the effort. 💙