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Tax Refund for Medical Tourists in Seoul: 2026 Update
Quick answer
Korea's VAT refund for foreign patients' cosmetic and aesthetic dermatology treatments ended on December 31, 2025, and as of October 2026 it has not been reinstated. A bill to revive it was proposed in 2026 but had not passed when we last checked. Standard tax-free shopping refunds still apply to retail purchases. Message The Heal in Jamsil for current details before you fly.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Yang Jeong-hwa , board-certified dermatologist · Updated October 2026
Cosmetic VAT refund
Ended Dec 31, 2025
Status Oct 2026
Not reinstated
Shopping tax-free
Still applies
Check
Before you travel
What changed: the end of the cosmetic VAT refund
For several years, Korea ran a special program that let foreign tourists claim back the VAT paid on cosmetic surgery and many aesthetic dermatology procedures at registered clinics. The program was temporary and was extended several times. It was not extended in the 2025 tax law revision, so it ended on December 31, 2025. Treatments paid for from January 1, 2026 no longer qualify for this refund.
This change applies to all clinics across Korea, not only to The Heal, so it is not a reason to choose one clinic over another.
Could the refund come back?
In 2026 a lawmaker proposed an amendment to restore the refund for foreign tourists' cosmetic procedures until the end of 2027. In mid-2026 it was referred to committee review, and it had not become law when this page was last updated in October 2026. Policy can change quickly, so if a refund matters to your budget, please ask us before you book; we will tell you what we know at that time. Treat any website that still promises a cosmetic VAT refund in 2026 with caution.
What you can still claim
- Shopping: standard tax-free shopping refunds for eligible retail purchases, such as skincare and cosmetics at participating stores, still apply under the usual rules.
- Receipts: keep an itemized receipt for your treatment for your own records and any insurance questions.
- Medical care: some medical treatments are taxed differently from cosmetic ones; ask us if you are unsure how your treatment is classified.
Read K-beauty shopping after treatment for post-treatment skincare tips.
Planning your budget without the refund
- Message us on KakaoTalk or email with your concerns, photos and travel dates.
- Receive a suggested plan that shows which treatments matter most for your goals.
- Confirm your appointment.
- Consult with Dr. Yang in person , get a clear quote, and decide what to do on this trip and what can wait.
Prioritizing the treatments with the biggest visible impact is the best way to keep value high. See the treatment costs guide , then request your personal plan .
Questions visitors ask us
- Is Seoul still good value? Many visitors still find treatments accessible, and quality, genuine products and a qualified doctor matter more than a refund.
- Language and safety: consultations are in English with a board-certified dermatologist.
- Flights: we plan treatments around your departure date.
- Pricing: fees are quoted after consultation; we do not publish price lists.
For payment logistics, see payment methods . If you have questions about the refund rules, ask us directly .
Expert review
Dr. Yang Jeong-hwa
Medical Director · Board-certified dermatologist · Seoul National University College of Medicine
Written for international patients and reviewed for medical accuracy. Individual results vary; your plan is decided in person after a skin assessment. Our review policy
Visit us
The Heal Dermatology Clinic Jamsil
4F, 329 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Korea
5 min walk from Jamsil Station (Line 8), Exit 9
Mon & Fri 10:00–20:00
Tue–Thu 10:00–19:30
Sat 09:30–16:00 · Sun & holidays closed
International patients
Visiting Seoul? Get your plan before you fly.
English consultations with a board-certified dermatologist, 5 minutes from Jamsil Station. Treatments are scheduled around your downtime and flights. International patient guide
1
Message us
Concerns, optional photos and travel dates via form or KakaoTalk.
2
Get your plan
Suggested treatments and timing around your flights.
3
Consult & treat
In-person assessment with Dr. Yang in English, then treatment.
Frequently asked
Tax Refund for Medical Tourists: your questions answered
Can I still get a VAT refund on Botox or lifting in 2026?
Not under the former foreign-patient cosmetic refund, which ended on December 31, 2025. Unless the law changes again, treatments paid for in 2026 do not qualify. We will update this page if the rules change.
I paid in 2025 but leave Korea in 2026. Can I claim?
Transitional rules may apply to payments made before the program ended, but time limits are strict. Check directly with the refund operator or Korea's customs authority before you rely on it.
Does tax-free shopping still work for skincare?
Yes. Standard tax-free shopping refunds for eligible retail purchases at participating stores still apply under the usual conditions, separately from medical treatments.
Will clinics lower prices because the refund ended?
Each clinic sets its own fees. We focus on recommending only what you need and explaining fees clearly after your consultation.
English consultations in Jamsil, Seoul
Get an honest plan and quote, refund or not
Send your photos and travel dates. We reply with a personalised plan before you fly.