EPIK Teacher Benefits (2026)
Free housing, health insurance, 26 vacation days, and more. Here's everything included in your EPIK contract.
Free
Housing
26 Days
Paid Vacation
50%
Health Insurance
₩300K
Settlement
Complete Benefits Package
Benefits included in EPIK contracts across all provinces. Some benefits are first-contract only.
Free Housing
Fully furnished single apartment provided by your school. Includes basic utilities setup. Located near your school.
Entrance Allowance
₩1,300,000–₩1,800,000 paid at the start of your contract (first contract only). Amount varies by province.
Completion Bonus
₩1,300,000–₩1,800,000 paid upon successful contract completion. Equivalent to entrance allowance in most regions.
Health Insurance
50% of National Health Insurance covered by your school. Covers medical, dental, and hospital visits across Korea.
26 Vacation Days
18 school vacation days + 8 national holidays. Schools may have additional days during winter/summer breaks.
Settlement Allowance
₩300,000 one-time payment upon first arrival. Covers initial expenses like groceries and household items.
National Pension
50% of National Pension contributions covered by your school. Refundable for citizens of countries with pension agreements.
Flight Reimbursement
Round-trip or one-way flight cost reimbursed. You pay upfront; reimbursed with your first or last paycheck.
Contract Renewal Bonus
₩700,000–₩2,000,000 for teachers who renew for a second consecutive year at the same province.
Rural Allowance
₩100,000/month extra for teachers in designated rural areas. Available in Gyeonggi and some other provinces.
Important Notes
Benefits FAQ
Q.Is EPIK housing really free?
Yes. Your school provides a single furnished apartment (bed, desk, refrigerator, washing machine, basic appliances) with no monthly rent. You pay only utilities (~₩80-150K/month for electricity, gas, water, internet). Some provinces offer a housing allowance (₩400-500K/month) as an alternative if you prefer to choose your own place.
Q.When do I receive the Entrance and Settlement Allowances?
The ₩300,000 Settlement Allowance is paid in your first month's paycheck after arrival. The ₩1.3-1.8M Entrance Allowance is typically paid in your first month as well (reimbursing your flight). Both are for first-contract teachers only — renewing teachers receive different bonuses (e.g. ₩2M Renewal Allowance in Gyeonggi).
Q.How many vacation days do I really get?
EPIK teachers get 18 school vacation days + 8 Korean national holidays (추석, Seollal, Independence Day, etc.) = ~26 paid days off. Vacation days must be taken during summer (August) or winter (January) school breaks. Weekends and national holidays do not count against your vacation allotment.
Q.Is my EPIK income taxed in Korea?
Your first 2 years of EPIK income are income-tax exempt under Korea's tax treaties with the 7 native English-speaking countries. After 2 years, standard Korean income tax (~6-15%) applies. National Pension and Health Insurance (50% each employer/employee) are deducted regardless.
Q.Can I get my National Pension refunded?
Yes, if you are a citizen of a country with a pension agreement with Korea: USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and others. Submit a lump-sum refund application at the Korean Pension office within 2 years of leaving Korea. You receive both your contributions and your school's contributions. UK and Ireland have specific treaty rules — check before applying.
Q.Do I get severance pay?
Yes. After completing a 1-year EPIK contract, you receive approximately one month's base salary as severance pay. If you teach 3 years, you receive ~3 months of severance upon final departure. Severance is separate from the Completion Bonus (₩1.3-1.8M) and Exit/Flight reimbursement.