Living in South Korea
Information for British citizens moving to or living in South Korea, including guidance on residency, healthcare, driving and more.
Introduction
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in South Korea. Read about how our British Embassy Seoul can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the South Korean authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.
Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.
To stay up to date: follow the British Embassy Seoul on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Before you go
See our travel advice for South Korea for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
See also the Overseas Business Risk Country Guide for South Korea.
Follow the advice of the South Korean government and your local authority. You should also read the South Korean travel advice.
Visas and residency
Check the entry requirements for South Korea in our travel advice.
As a general rule, any person other than those who have the right of abode or right to land in South Korea, must obtain a visa before coming to Korea for the purpose of study, taking up employment, training, investment or residence.
Visit the Korean Immigration website for information on applying for residence and work permits and the requirements for visas.
Don’t overstay your visa. The South Korean authorities consider overstaying a serious matter and you may be held in detention, fined and deported, or removed at your own expense.
Foreigners are allowed to enter and live in South Korea with their family members and dependants.
You should ask the Immigration Office directly for further advice and information on sponsoring family members to live in South Korea.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from South Korea.
Check the South Korean travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in South Korea
Medical care is generally good in South Korea, although it can be expensive. Healthcare is not provided free of charge in South Korea for foreign nationals and medical bills can be high. Please note that masks are still mandatory in hospitals and medical facilities.
There is no reciprocal National Health Service agreement in South Korea and medical costs are to be borne by the individual. Insurance is essential; ensure that comprehensive travel insurance is taken out before you travel. Make sure that your policy provides for the following:
- An air ambulance, in case you need to be flown home
- Full medical cover (bills can be very expensive)
- Bringing the body home, in the event of a death
- Bringing your family home, in the event of your illness or injury
If you need emergency medical assistance, you can attend any medical clinic, Hospital Emergency Room or dial 119 for an emergency.
If you need emergency medical assistance, you can attend any medical clinic, Hospital Emergency Room or dial 119 for an emergency.
You must register for healthcare as a resident in South Korea.
If you cannot register for healthcare, you must ensure you have private healthcare cover for South Korea
NOTE: UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.
Medicine
If you are on a prescription for any medication, you should ensure you have a supply of it or are able to obtain it when in South Korea. Certain medicines may not be available in South Korea (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to South Korea to find out about any alternative medication.
Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines.
South Korean Customs authorities allow you to bring small amounts of medication for your personal use if you are on medication, provided that it is kept in carry-on baggage. It is advised to take an English language prescription from your doctor at home for both your prescription drugs and non-prescription medicines. That way, you avoid problems or misunderstandings at customs in South Korea. It is also a good idea to consult their website before you travel to South Korea.
For more information, please visit the Ministry of Health and Welfare website.
Working in South Korea
If you are planning to move to South Korea and work, you may need a visa. Read the South Korean government’s guidance on working in South Korea as a foreign national and how to get a visa.
A university degree is the basic requirement for many employment opportunities for foreigners in Korea. Any educational qualification must be apostilled by the Legalisation Office.
Studying in South Korea
If you plan to study in South Korea, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel. Please visit the Korean government’s website for studying in Korea.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in South Korea to check what fees you have to pay.
Tax
The UK has a double taxation agreement with South Korea that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.
You should get professional advice on paying tax in South Korea. Find an English-speaking lawyer in South Korea.
Read guidance on: * tax if you leave the UK to live abroad * tax on your UK income if you live abroad * tax if you get a pension and live abroad * paying National Insurance while abroad to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances
Benefits
Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
The Social Welfare Department provides information on social security for residents in South Korea who are financially vulnerable. If you are considering moving or retiring abroad, please click here for information.
Pensions
Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.
If you retire in South Korea, you can claim your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.
There are mandatory deductions for tax, health insurance and pension insurance if you are working in South Korea. If you’re not working, you pay healthcare costs yourself without any insurance cover. It isn’t normally possible to claim reimbursement of pension insurance payments unless you have been resident in South Korea for at least 10 years.
Please visit the National Health Insurance Service.
Life certificates for UK State Pensions
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.
Money and banking
The local currency is the South Korean Won. There are a number of banks in South Korea. You should get advice directly from the banks on how to open an account.
Accommodation and buying property
Foreigners owning property in South Korea are not discriminated against, and foreign ownership of business is largely permitted in most sectors. Buying property is straightforward, unless you need a mortgage. Each bank has different conditions for mortgages. Please consult banks separately.
See also buying a property abroad.
Driving in South Korea
Read the guidance on what actions you must do to drive legally in South Korea
Information on driving abroad https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad
If you’re asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (e.g. the DVLA)
Guidance for travelling by road in South Korea
If you wish to take your vehicle with you, see https://www.gov.uk/taking-vehicles-out-of-uk
Driving licence rules in South Korea if you live there
In order to drive in Korea, you will require a Korean driving licence. Please visit the Korean Driver’s Licence Agency’s website for more information.
Please note that you must take a written exam before you can obtain a Korean driver’s licence except for those who hold UK or other approved international driving licences or UK apostilled driving licences. This written exam can be provided in English. Details on how to have your UK licence apostilled can be found here.
For information about UK driving licences, please click here.
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in South Korea, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
You can find more information about applying for a disabled parking permit in South Korea here.
Voting
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
Some foreign residents may have the right to vote in South Korean elections.
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
Births
If your child is born in South Korea you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate.
If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.
Deaths
If someone dies in South Korea read our guidance on:
- What to do if someone dies abroad
- Bereavement guidance for South Korea
- English-speaking funeral directors in South Korea
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Pets
If you’re moving to South Korea with your pet, read the guidance and ensure you comply with the regulations:
To visit other countries with your pet, check the rules for the country you’re travelling to. Contact your vet to get the travel documents your pet needs.
Read guidance on: * bringing your pet to Great Britain. Check that your pet’s rabies vaccinations are up to date. Vets in Great Britain cannot enter rabies vaccination details in non-UK issued pet passports * travelling to Ireland with your pet * travelling with your pet in the EU
Emergencies
Dial:
- 112 for the police
- 119 for the ambulance or fire brigade
- 182 to report a missing child
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in South Korea, read the guidance on what to do and where to get support in cases of rape and sexual assault. See also the guidance for victims of rape and sexual assault abroad.
Find a list of English-speaking lawyers in South Korea
If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British Embassy Seoul.
Read the guidance on international parental child abduction if your child may be at risk of this.
Returning to the UK
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.
If you wish to leave South Korea and need to obtain a criminal record clearance from the South Korean authorities, you will need to apply for a Certificate of No Criminal Record (‘Sin Won Zung Myung Seo’):
- to apply for a certificate while you are resident in South Korea, you should apply to your local Police Station in person
- to obtain a certificate after you have left South Korea you should contact your nearest Korean Embassy
Last updated 23 April 2024 + show all updates
-
updated as of 23 Apr 2024
-
First published.
-
link update
-
Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines.