Planning a workation in Seoul? Or a business trip to Busan or Incheon? Learn the essential information you and your employees need to work safely and compliantly while traveling in South Korea, including working conditions, safety and health regulations, tax treaties, social security, and more.
Capital city
Seoul
Telephone code
+82
Official language
Korean
Currency
Korean Won (KRW)
Time zone
UTC+9
Social security compliance
When working remotely abroad, your employees may become subject to the social security scheme of the destination country, which means you, as an employer, would need to pay social security premiums accordingly. South Korea has entered into numerous social security treaties with various countries, available here, to prevent the payment of double social security premiums or non-insurance.
To ensure your employees remain compliant with these treaties, they must possess a valid Certificate of Coverage (CoC) obtained from the relevant local authorities. For WorkFlex users, the CoC is issued automatically after a trip request is submitted. Discover our solution for efficient social security risk mitigation here.
Tax compliance
As a member of the OECD, South Korean tax treaties are based on the OECD Model Tax Convention. This framework provides guidelines for structuring tax treaties and covers various types of income, including dividends, interest, royalties, and employment income. South Korea has signed comprehensive tax treaties with numerous countries, available here, that specify the steps to take to avoid double taxation.
Despite the existence of many tax treaties and the adoption of the OECD Model Tax Convention, the issue of Permanent Establishment remains a significant compliance concern for employers with employees temporarily working in the South Korea, whether for a workation or a business trip. If a traveling employee is deemed to constitute a Permanent Establishment in the destination country, the employer may be required to register the company locally, allocate profits to the local business (branch), and file corporate taxes, leading to substantial administrative burdens.
To avoid this scenario, here are some key strategies:
If your employees are traveling for a workation, they should refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during the trip. Additionally, they should avoid visiting clients or any office, including the employer's local office in the destination country. Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risk for the employer related to permanent establishment.
If your employees travel for business, it may be impossible to refrain from the activities above. In this case, please make sure to inform your (tax) compliance department of this matter. If you and your organization are a WorkFlex user, this topic is covered through the WorkFlex platform.
Overriding local employment provisions
Employees traveling to South Korea are expected to comply with some basic local employment provisions that may be qualified as overriding, such as minimum salary standards. See the recent information on minimum wage in South Korea here.
Visa
To work legally while in another country, employees generally need a valid work title. It's important to keep in mind that the consequences of entering without the proper documentation can be significant for both the employee and the employer.
For those planning work-from-anywhere trips to South Korea, here's a quick overview:
- Tourist Visa: Available for many nationalities (up to 90 days)
- K-ETA: Electronic travel authorization required for eligible countries
- Visa-Free Entry: Available for many nationalities
- Digital Nomad Visa: South Korea offers a specific visa for remote workers under the K-ETA program
Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
For those planning business trips to South Korea:
- Business Visa (C-3): Required for business activities
- Visa-Free Entry: Available for many nationalities for short business trips
- K-ETA: Electronic travel authorization required for eligible countries
Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
Working hours
The standard workweek in South Korea is 40 hours, typically from Monday to Friday, with the workday starting at 9:00 AM and ending at 6:00 PM. Overtime work is common but should be compensated as per South Korean labor laws.
To remain compliant during your trip abroad, here are some suggestions to follow:
- Avoid working overtime: Regulations regarding overtime can differ significantly and may be much stricter compared to those in your home country.
- Refrain from working outside regular hours: The rules surrounding working outside regular hours may vary and could be stricter than in your home country.
- Do not work on weekends: If the weekend days differ from those in your home country, please avoid working on both your regular weekend days and the local weekend days.
Public holidays
- January 1: New Year's Day
- Seollal (Lunar New Year, 3 days, usually late January or early February)
- March 1: Independence Movement Day
- May 5: Children's Day
- Buddha's Birthday (8th day of 4th lunar month, usually May)
- June 6: Memorial Day
- August 15:Liberation Day
- Chuseok (Harvest Festival, 3 days, 15th day of 8th lunar month, usually September)
- October 3: National Foundation Day
- October 9: Hangeul Day
- December 25: Christmas Day
Depending on the region you're visiting, there may be additional region-specific public holidays. For more information about these holidays, please check here.
To comply with labor laws, please refrain from working on national or regional holidays during your trip. These days hold significant importance for locals and provide a great opportunity for you to blend in and celebrate with the community.
Working activities
When considering travel for work purposes—whether for a workation or a business trip—it is crucial to understand the implications of Permanent Establishment (PE) and associated tax risks. PE is a significant compliance concern for companies and can become costly due to the administrative burden if the compliance requirements for employees working abroad are not properly managed. To help mitigate these risks, here are a few guidelines to follow.
If you are traveling for a workation, please:
- Refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during your trip.
- Avoid visiting clients or any office, including your employer's local office in the destination country.
Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risks related to Permanent Establishment for your employer.
If you are a business traveler, it may be difficult to avoid the activities mentioned above. In this case, please ensure you inform your employer's compliance department about this matter. If you and your organization are WorkFlex users, this topic is addressed through the WorkFlex platform.
Data protection
Data protection is fundamentally about keeping our information safe from unauthorized access, breaches, theft, or damage. This responsibility is important for everyone, regardless of where they are working.
When employees work temporarily from abroad, data protection involves ensuring continued coverage and compliance with the data protection regulations of both, the home country and the destination country. South Korea has implemented Personal Information Protection Act. Its level of regulation and enforcement is characterized as heavy. That means the country enforces strict, comprehensive data protection laws with robust regulatory oversight. These laws cover all aspects of data privacy and impose severe penalties for non-compliance, either adopting or aligning closely with frameworks like the GDPR, learn more about it here.
For WorkFlex users, a comprehensive list of data protection activities is available in the profile, but here are some general data protection guidelines to keep your data safe:
- Adhere to Your Company's Internal Data Policies: Familiarize yourself with and follow your organization’s specific data protection protocols.
- Use Secure Network Connections: Always connect through secure networks, especially when accessing sensitive information.
- Be Aware of Phishing: Stay vigilant against phishing attempts by verifying the authenticity of emails and messages before clicking on any links.
- Utilize Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication: Create complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
- Keep Your Devices in a Secure Location: Always store your devices in safe places to prevent unauthorized access.
- Lock Your Screen Whenever Applicable: Ensure your screen is locked when you're away from your device to protect your information.
Local emergency phone
112 (Police), 119 (Ambulance)
Vaccination
Guidelines
Drinking potable water
Generally safe
Travel health insurance
When traveling to South Korea for work—whether for a short business trip or an extended workation—it's essential to have comprehensive health insurance coverage to ensure access to medical care.
For business trips, the employer typically arranges the employee's travel health insurance. However, for workations, these responsibilities can be less clear. WorkFlex takes care of travel health insurance for trips worldwide to ensure there are no costly consequences for either the employee or the employer if accidents occur while working abroad.
For travelers using WorkFlex
If you’re traveling with WorkFlex, comprehensive health insurance is automatically included if your employer has activated this feature. For more details, please refer to your trip request on the WorkFlex platform.
For other travelers
Ensure you have travel health insurance with worldwide coverage, whether for a workation or business trip, so that you can receive adequate medical treatment in case of an emergency.
Urgent safety information
For travelers using WorkFlex:
Please refer to your trip's risk assessment under the "Health and Security" dimension to review any urgent security information relevant to your travel.
For other travelers:
Please visit official authority websites to check for any current threats or urgent security advisories:
Terrorism
Follow general cautionary measures.
Domestic political situation
The Republic of Korea is a democratic state with a vibrant civil society, evident in the numerous peaceful demonstrations in its major cities. Despite ongoing political tensions with North Korea, the security situation for travelers remains stable, although short-term changes cannot be ruled out (see 'Urgent safety information' for updates). South Korean authorities occasionally conduct emergency drills, during which sirens sound, and public transport may be halted. While participation is not mandatory for foreign nationals, it is recommended.
Safety tips:
- Stay informed through local media.
- Avoid demonstrations and large crowds.
- Follow local security instructions.
Crime
Crime rates in South Korea are relatively low, but petty crimes like pickpocketing and scams targeting tourists can occur. To help ensure your safety, consider the following precautions:
- Exercise extra caution in crowded areas, especially in tourist spots.
- Keep money, ID cards, driver’s licenses, and other important documents secure. Consider saving electronic copies or photos.
- Carry only the cash you’ll need for the day and avoid bringing unnecessary valuables.
- Be cautious of unfamiliar emails, phone calls, prize notifications, offers, and requests for help from supposed acquaintances. Always verify the legitimacy of such interactions.
South Korea experiences four distinct seasons: a cold winter, a hot summer, and mild spring and autumn.
- Winter (December–February): Cold and dry, with temperatures often falling below freezing, especially in inland areas.
- Spring (March–May): Pleasant, with temperatures gradually warming up, flowers blooming, and mild conditions.
- Summer (June–August): Hot and humid, with frequent rainfall due to the monsoon season (June–July).
- Autumn (September–November): Cooler, with colorful foliage and pleasant temperatures.
Airports
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
- Location: Incheon, near Seoul
- When to use: South Korea’s main international airport, ideal for travelers heading to Seoul or connecting to other cities. Offers flights across Asia, Europe, and North America.
Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
- Location: Seoul
- When to use: Useful for domestic flights and some short international routes.
Busan Gimhae International Airport (PUS)
- Location: Busan
- When to use: Southern Korea access, some international flights
Train stations
South Korea has an extensive and efficient high-speed rail system known as KTX, which connects major cities including Seoul, Busan, and Daegu. Trains are a fast and comfortable way to travel between cities.
Seoul Station
- Main connections: KTX high-speed rail hub
- Routes throughout the country
Busan Station
- Main connections: Southern terminus of KTX
- Coastal city connections
Yongsan Station
- Main connections: Secondary Seoul hub
- Regional services
Ride-hailing services
- Kakao T
- T map taxi
Note: Ride-hailing services like Uber are not widely available in South Korea, and Kakao T is the most popular local app for taxis.
Public transportation
- Subway: Major cities like Seoul and Busan have an efficient subway system.
- Buses: Local buses are a cheap way to get around, with many cities offering integrated transport cards.
- Taxis: Taxis are widely available in most cities. Ensure they are licensed and, if possible, agree on the fare beforehand.