Essential Coverage

Health Insurance for Students in Taiwan

For your first 6 months, you need student medical insurance. After 6 months with a resident card (ARC), you must join Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI). Prices are in New Taiwan dollars (NT$). NCKU is National Cheng Kung University and CYCU is Chung Yuan Christian University.

Student Insurance Plan • Taiwan

Medical Coverage

NHI after 6 months: NT$826 a month

POLICY TYPE

National Health Insurance (NHI)

First 6 months: student medical insurance

NT$500 a month at NCKU and CYCU

After 6 months: National Health Insurance

NT$826 a month

Emergency visit at a big hospital (medical center), with NHI

You pay NT$750 yourself at the visit

Medicine at a large hospital (with NHI)

You pay up to NT$300 yourself

Insurance Rules for Taiwan

Every international student in Taiwan needs health insurance. Which one depends on how long you have lived there.

Why You Need Health Insurance

Without insurance, medical treatment in Taiwan can cost you a lot of money.
National Health Insurance only starts after 6 months.
National Health Insurance is required by law for resident card holders.

Legal Requirements

Join National Health Insurance after 6 months with a resident card.
You cannot stop paying while your resident card is valid.
Not joining can bring a fine of NT$3,000 to NT$15,000.

Insurance Approaches for Different Students

Student medical insurance (first 6 months)

Universities enroll new students in medical insurance. NCKU charges NT$500 a month.

National Health Insurance (after 6 months)

Taiwan's public health insurance. You must join after 6 months with a resident card. It costs NT$826 a month.

Insurance from home

CYCU tells students to buy overseas health insurance for their first 6 months before they leave home.

You cannot join National Health Insurance for your first 6 months. CYCU strongly advises buying overseas health insurance in your home country before you arrive, and your university will also arrange student insurance.

What Universities Ask For

Universities arrange insurance for new students and add it to the fee bill.

University Health Insurance Costs

University	Annual Cost
National Cheng Kung University	No yearly price. NT$500 a month for the first 6 months, then NT$826 a month (NHI)
Chung Yuan Christian University	No yearly price. NT$500 a month for the first 6 months, then NT$826 a month (NHI)
Tamkang University	No yearly price. A student plan for the first 6 months, paid with your tuition.

*Costs shown may vary. Always check with your specific university for current rates.

Insurance Waiver Process

Important Waiver Deadline

Read your fee bill each semester. You may be charged for insurance twice.

University Plan vs. Insurance From Home

For your first 6 months, your university arranges a plan. Some universities also advise buying your own insurance at home before you fly.

Comparison Aspect	University-Sponsored Plans	Private Insurance Plans
When it covers you	Your first 6 months, before National Health Insurance	From the day you arrive, if you buy it before you fly
Cost	NT$500 a month at NCKU and CYCU	Set by your insurer
Who arranges it	Your university, often automatically	You, in your home country
How you pay	Added to your fee bill	To your insurer before you travel
After 6 months	You move to National Health Insurance at NT$826 a month	You must still join National Health Insurance

Insurance for International Students

Most students have two kinds of insurance: group medical insurance for the first 6 months, then National Health Insurance.

Using Your Insurance

Bring your NHI card or insurance certificate every time you see a doctor.

Healthcare System Basics

Your school helps you get health insurance when you arrive.
Students usually start with student insurance and later join National Health Insurance.
Many clinics and hospitals have a pharmacy.
Always bring your NHI card or insurance certificate.

Provider Network Types

Clinics

Clinics usually focus on one area, such as ear, nose and throat.

Good for common problems
Lower emergency fee (NT$150)
Often have a pharmacy

Large hospitals

Big hospitals (medical centers and regional hospitals) offer more services.

Emergency care
Many kinds of doctors
Higher fees

Step-by-Step Care Guides

Seeing a doctor

1Go to a clinic or hospital near you.
2Show your NHI card or insurance certificate.
3Pay the visit fee.
4Get your medicine at the pharmacy.

Emergency

1Call 119 for an ambulance.
2Go to a hospital emergency room.
3Show your NHI card or insurance certificate.
4Pay the emergency fee, NT$150 to NT$750.

What You Pay

With National Health Insurance, you pay a monthly payment plus a small fee at each visit.

Cost by Insurance Type

Insurance Type	Monthly Cost	You Pay Per Medicine	You Pay Per Emergency Visit
Student medical insurance (first 6 months)	NT$500 at NCKU and CYCU	-	-
National Health Insurance	NT$826	Up to NT$300 at large hospitals	NT$150 to NT$750

Hidden Costs to Consider

Emergency visit fee

A fixed fee you pay at each emergency visit. It depends on hospital size.

NT$750 at a big hospital (medical center), NT$400 at a regional hospital, NT$150 at a district hospital or clinic

Medicine fee

A fee for medicine from a doctor's visit (not a hospital stay).

Up to NT$300 at a big hospital (medical center) or regional hospital

New NHI card

Your first card is free; a replacement costs NT$200.

NT$200

Money-Saving Tips

Go to a clinic for small problems. Emergency visits at big hospitals cost more.

Keep your NHI card safe. A new one costs NT$200.

Check your fee bill so you do not pay for insurance twice.

Helpful Resources

Phone numbers to keep handy.

Official Government Resources

National Health Insurance Administration

English site for National Health Insurance

Visit Resource →

Ministry of Health and Welfare

Taiwan's health ministry

Visit Resource →

Study in Taiwan

Study guide, including health care

Visit Resource →

Emergency Contacts

Fire and ambulance

119

Free emergency call

Police

110

Free emergency call

Emergency call with bad phone signal

112

Free emergency call

Mental health support

1925

Free counselling 24 hours a day from the Ministry of Health and Welfare

Important: Save the local emergency numbers in your phone before you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I join National Health Insurance?

After you have lived in Taiwan for 6 months with a resident card (ARC). One trip abroad of under 30 days is fine, but those days do not count toward the 6 months.

How much does National Health Insurance cost?

NT$826 a month. NCKU adds it to your fee bill: NT$4,956 for September to February and NT$4,956 for March to August.

What if I do not join?

It is the law for resident card holders. Not joining can bring a fine of NT$3,000 to NT$15,000. You may have to pay the missed monthly fees too. You get no benefits until you pay them.