What happens to insurance when you change jobs?
I thought the insurance would stop the day after I quit my job... Don't worry!
Even if you leave your job, your insurance does not stop. It is automatically changed to Resident subscriber. You may save on premiums with Voluntary continuation enrollment.
Your insurance won’t be cut off!
Are you worried that your insurance will disappear when you leave your job?
Good news. It won’t be interrupted!
The day after you leave your job, you are automatically changed to a "Resident subscriber". You do not need to do anything separately. Your insurance stays active.
If you have been enrolled in workplace insurance for more than 1 year, you may qualify for "Voluntary continuation enrollment". Please check it in advance before leaving your job!
But the insurance premium changes.
You might be surprised here.
When you were a Workplace subscriber: the company paid half of the insurance premium.
When you become a Resident subscriber: you pay the full amount yourself.
| Salary | Employee health insurance premium | Local health insurance premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1M KRW | About 36,000 KRW (company pays half) | About 90,000 KRW~ (minimum) |
| 1.5M KRW | about 54,000 KRW | about 90,000 KRW~ |
| 2,000,000 KRW | about 72,000 KRW | About 90,000 KRW~ |
| 3,000,000 KRW | About 108,000 KRW | About Government Civil Service Call Center,000 KRW~ |
| 4,000,000 KRW | about 144,000 KRW | About 160,000 KRW~ |
⚠️ Foreign Resident subscribers have a minimum payment amount, so they must pay at least the overall average insurance premium (about 90,000 KRW~). Students (Student) get a 50% discount.
Your insurance premium can suddenly go up! 😱
Because you are automatically changed to a Resident subscriber, you can still go to the hospital even while changing jobs. You only need to bring your ARC.
How to save on insurance premiums
There is a system called "Voluntary continuation enrollment".
If you were enrolled in insurance at your workplace for at least 1 year before leaving your job, you can keep it for up to 36 months at a workplace insurance premium level.
When you receive the local health insurance premium bill
After you leave your job and switch to a Resident subscriber, a bill will be sent to you. If the amount went up a lot, you may be eligible for Voluntary continuation enrollment.
Apply to NHIS within 2 months
You must apply within 2 months from the day you receive the notice. If you miss the deadline, you will lose your eligibility!
Call National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) or visit a branch office
You can apply by calling option 7 (English) or at a nearby NHIS branch. Please prepare your Alien Registration Card (ARC).
→ Check it in The건강보험 (official NHIS app) (official NHIS app) > 'View insurance premium'.
→ You can call NHIS National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) (press 7 for English) to check.
→ If your address has changed: visit an NHIS branch or apply to change your address by phone. You can receive the notice only if the address written on your Alien Registration Card (ARC) and the address registered with NHIS are the same.
If you have an Skilled Worker Skilled Worker visa, one more thing!
If you have a Skilled Worker visa, you need to report your job change to the Immigration Office within 15 days.
Switch health insurance + report your entry/exit, and handle both at the same time.
When your new company is decided: the new company reports you to NHIS as a Workplace subscriber within 14 days. Then you automatically go back to workplace insurance.
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Leaving a job
Workplace subscriber status is lost. But the next day, it is automatically changed to Resident subscriber.
Resident subscriber bill receipt
Your insurance premium is changing. Before, the company paid half, but now you have to pay the full amount yourself.
Review Voluntary continuation enrollment
If you joined the insurance at your workplace for more than 1 year, you can keep it for up to 36 months at the workplace-level premium.
Starting a new job at a new company
The new company reports you as a Workplace subscriber within 14 days. You automatically return to workplace insurance.
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No insurance gap
The next day after you leave your job, you are automatically changed to a Resident subscriber.
Voluntary continuation enrollment
If you have employee insurance for at least 1 year, you can keep the workplace-level premium for up to 36 months.
Hospital visits are OK even while changing jobs
When you switch to a Resident subscriber, you can go to the hospital with just your ARC.
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Resident subscriber premium caution
The minimum insurance premium for a Resident subscriber who is a foreigner is about 90,000 KRW~. It may be more expensive than when you had workplace insurance.
Immigration report when changing jobs on a Skilled Worker visa
If you change jobs on a Skilled Worker visa, you need to report it to the Immigration Office within 15 days.
Voluntary continuation enrollment 2-month deadline
You need to apply within 2 months after receiving the notice. If you miss it, it is not possible.
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If your resignation date and start date are back-to-back, there is no gap! The new company will report you right away as a Workplace subscriber.
You automatically become a Resident subscriber. Your insurance fee may go up. If the bill arrives, call NHIS right away!
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This guide is for information only, not legal advice. In emergencies, call 119 immediately.