Do You Need the 4 Major Insurances During a Probationary Period? 2026 Complete Guide for Foreign Workers

The 4 Major Insurances Are Mandatory Even During a Probationary Period

Have you ever heard someone say, "You don't get enrolled in the 4 major insurances during a probationary period"? To be clear from the outset: this is incorrect information. Even during a probationary period, any worker who has signed a labor contract and is receiving wages is legally required to be enrolled in the 4 major insurances (4대보험).

Note for foreign workers: Your employment contract may specify terms that differ from the statutory minimums described below, but enrollment in the 4 major insurances cannot be waived by contract.

Enrollment Principles for Each of the 4 Major Insurances

1. National Pension (국민연금)

Workers aged 18 or older and under 60 are automatically enrolled as workplace subscribers. Probationary status has no effect on this requirement. The 2026 premium rate is 9.5%, split equally between the employee and the employer at 4.75% each. The upper limit of the standard monthly income is KRW 6,590,000 and the lower limit is KRW 410,000 (applicable July 2026 – June 2027).

2. Health Insurance (건강보험)

Health insurance also applies immediately upon signing a labor contract, making the worker a workplace subscriber from day one. The 2026 premium rate is 7.19%, with the employee bearing 3.595%. An additional long-term care insurance premium (장기요양보험료) of 0.9448% of income is added on top.

3. Employment Insurance (고용보험)

For the unemployment benefit (실업급여) contribution, both the employee and the employer each pay 0.9% (2026 rate). Premiums paid during the probationary period are counted in full toward the insured period (피보험 단위기간) required to qualify for unemployment benefits later.

4. Industrial Accident Insurance (산재보험)

Industrial accident insurance premiums are borne entirely by the employer. The employee pays nothing separately, and protection against work-related accidents applies from the very first day of the probationary period.

The Relationship Between the Minimum-Wage Reduction During Probation and the 4 Major Insurances

Under the Enforcement Decree of the Labor Standards Act (근로기준법 시행령), workers on probation who have signed a labor contract of one year or more (excluding simple manual labor positions) may be paid as little as 90% of the minimum wage for up to 3 months from the start of the probationary period. Since the 2026 minimum wage is KRW 10,320 per hour, the reduced rate is KRW 9,288 per hour.

In this case, the 4 major insurance premiums are calculated based on the wages actually paid. That is, if you receive the reduced wage, the applicable premium rates are simply applied to that reduced amount.

If Your Employer Delays Enrollment in the 4 Major Insurances

Some employers intentionally delay filing the enrollment report during the probationary period. This is a clear violation of the law. Workers may directly request enrollment registration from the National Health Insurance Service (국민건강보험공단), the National Pension Service (국민연금공단), or the Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service (근로복지공단), or may file a complaint with the Ministry of Employment and Labor (고용노동부). Employers may be subject to retroactive premium payments for the unenrolled period as well as administrative fines (과태료).

Want to Know Your Actual Take-Home Pay?

It can be confusing to figure out exactly how much you will receive after deducting the 4 major insurance premiums and income tax from your probationary-period wages. You can use the salary take-home pay calculator at workbear.kr (재주넘는곰) to easily check your monthly take-home pay, including probationary-period wages. The calculator also shows the deduction amount for each of the 4 major insurance items, making it useful for reviewing your pay stub.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific cases, consult a certified labor attorney (노무사) or lawyer.