Registration as a medical institution attracting foreign patients: what it is and how to check
Korean medical institutions must register with the city or province before treating patients from abroad. The certificate lists the institution, its address, the representative, the registered departments and the validity period. Registration requires a specialist in each department and liability insurance.
The short answer
Under the Act on Attraction of International Patients (in force since 2016), a medical institution must register with its city or province before treating patients who come from abroad. Companies that bring patients to clinics (agencies, brokers) must register separately as "attraction businesses". Attracting foreign patients without registration is a criminal offence under the Act.
What the certificate shows
Registration number, institution name, address, representative's name, registered departments for foreign patients, validity period, and the issuing city or province.
- Registered departments. Registration requires at least one specialist per department, so the departments listed are usually those where the clinic has a specialist. Check that your treatment falls under one of them.
- Validity. Registration runs for three years and must be renewed.
- Name and address. They must match the opening certificate.
Why the requirements matter to you
A medical institution must meet two conditions to register:
- At least one board-certified specialist, under Article 77 of the Medical Service Act, for each department in which foreign patients are to be treated.
- Medical malpractice liability insurance as prescribed by the Ministry, or membership in a medical indemnity association.
One certificate therefore tells you that the department has a specialist and that there is a channel for compensation if something goes wrong.
Agencies must register too
A company that refers foreign patients to a clinic must register as an attraction business, with minimum capital, a guarantee bond and an office in Korea. If you book through an agency, ask for its registration certificate. An unregistered individual charging a referral fee leaves you with no one to hold accountable.
How to check
- Medical Korea offers a search of registered institutions.
- The Seoul Medical Tourism site lists some registered institutions in Seoul, with English pages.
- Ask the clinic for a photo of the certificate and check the number and validity.
Registration shows a clinic may lawfully treat foreign patients. It does not show that it does so well. It is a threshold, not a recommendation.