Don't Forget to Get a Free National Health Check-Up

Living in Korea as a foreigner comes with its challenges, but when it comes to healthcare, the country provides a solid support system—not just for Korean nationals, but also for registered foreigners. One key benefit that many foreigners may not know about is the free national health check-up offered every two years under the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). Here’s everything you need to know, including how your birth year determines your eligibility each year. 📋 What Is the National Health Check-Up? Korea’s national health check-up program (국가건강검진) is a preventive service designed to catch health issues early through routine tests. It includes basic screenings such as: Blood pressure and sugar level checks Cholesterol and liver function tests Urinalysis Chest X-ray Vision and hearing tests BMI measurement Lifestyle questionnaires (smoking, drinking, activity) Depending on age and gender, additional screenings for cancer, cognitive function, and other health conditions may also be included. 🧾 Who Is Eligible? To be eligible for the check-up: You must be enrolled in the National Health Insurance (NHIS), either as an employee or as a voluntary/self-employed subscriber. You must be aged 19 or older. Foreigners are eligible under the same conditions as Korean nationals, as long as they’ve been insured for at least six months. 🗓️ How Often Can You Get the Check-Up? The general health check-up is available once every two years. However, whether you're eligible in a given year depends on the last digit of your birth year. 🔢 Understanding the Birth Year System Here’s how the system works: If your birth year ends in an even number, you’re eligible for the check-up in even-numbered years. If your birth year ends in an odd number, you’re eligible in odd-numbered years. 📌 Example: If you were born in 1992, your last digit is "2" (even), so you're eligible in 2024, 2026, etc. If you were born in 1989, your last digit is "9" (odd), so you're eligible in 2023, 2025, etc. This system helps manage the large number of people who qualify for check-ups by dividing them into two groups. 🏥 Where and How to Get the Check-Up Check Your Eligibility You’ll typically receive a notification from the NHIS in the mail or via text in your eligible year. If you don’t, you can check on the NHIS website or call their English helpline at 1577-1000 (press 7 for English). Find a Designated Clinic or Hospital Not all hospitals offer the national check-up, so look for ones that are officially registered. You can search on the NHIS website or ask your local clinic. Make an Appointment While some clinics allow walk-ins, it’s generally better to book in advance. Bring your Alien Registration Card (ARC) and health insurance card or number. Get Tested The check-up takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Fasting may be required beforehand (usually 8–12 hours) for accurate blood test results. Receive Your Results Results are mailed or made available onlin