Student Health Insurance in Japan vs Korea 2026: What Exists, What to Verify, and What to Budget
TL;DR
Japan (official): https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/life/insurance/ Korea (official life page + NHI PDF): https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/ko/life/livingAndHousing.do Your university’s international office is the practical “execution” layer:…
20 Jan 2026, 00:00 Z
Reviewed by
Marcus Pang·Managing Director (Maths)
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> **Q:** What should Singapore parents and students know about health insurance when studying in Japan or Korea?
> \
> **A:** Don’t treat it as an afterthought. Use official pages to understand what systems exist, what international students need to do after arrival, and how to budget for premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
> **TL;DR**
> - Japan (official): https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/life/insurance/
> - Korea (official life page + NHI PDF): https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/ko/life/livingAndHousing.do
> - Your university’s international office is the practical “execution” layer: confirm what they require, and what they help you do after arrival.
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*Status:* Last reviewed 2026-01-20. This is a planning guide, not medical advice. Insurance rules change; always verify on official pages and university guidance.
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## 1) Japan: official starting page for student insurance
Study in Japan’s insurance page (official) is a strong baseline:
* https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/life/insurance/
It explains:
* the National Health Insurance system and who needs to subscribe,
* how premiums work at a high level,
* and additional insurance/mutual aid options that may be relevant for students.
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## 2) Korea: official starting page for health insurance info
Study in Korea’s living & housing page (official) contains a “Health Insurance” section:
* https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/ko/life/livingAndHousing.do
It also links to a National Health Insurance PDF:
* https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/public/v3/download/NationalHealthInsurance.pdf
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## 3) The “verify this with your university” checklist
For either country, ask your university’s international office:
* What insurance coverage is required for international students?
* When do students enroll (before arrival vs after arrival)?
* What documents are needed to enroll (if any)?
* What is the typical premium range for students (or how to estimate it)?
* How does health coverage interact with part-time work or student status (if relevant)?
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## 4) Budgeting: insurance is not just a “monthly number”
For family budgeting, consider:
* premiums (recurring)
* co-pay/out-of-pocket medical costs (variable)
* gaps that may require additional coverage (depends on student situation)
Budget checklist (Japan vs Korea):
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/Japan-vs-Korea-Student-Budget-Singapore-Practical-Cost-Checklist-Guide-2026
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## 5) Next action (today)
Pick one:
* Read the Japan insurance page and summarise the “what you must do after arrival” steps in 5 bullet points.
* Read the Korea life page’s Health Insurance section and save the official PDF.
* Add one line to your budget worksheet:
- “Insurance premium estimate: ________ (verify with university + official pages)”
