SMOE Teacher Benefits
Housing, allowances, severance, health insurance, vacation — the full benefits package offered to every SMOE teacher in Seoul.
Free
Furnished Housing
26
Paid Vacation Days
₩1.8M
Entrance Allowance
50%
Health Insurance Subsidy
SMOE teachers receive the standard EPIK benefits package: free furnished housing in Seoul, settlement allowance, entrance/exit allowances, 26 workdays of paid vacation, severance, and 50% health insurance. Some benefits (Entrance Allowance, Settlement Allowance) apply only to first-year teachers — confirm eligibility with your Korvia recruiter.Source: Official SMOE 2026 benefits package; entrance and exit allowances per the 2026–2027 SMOE contract (Art. 11), vacation days per Art. 14.
Full SMOE Benefits Breakdown
Free Single Furnished Housing
Rent-free · or ₩500,000/month stipendSMOE teachers are entitled to rent-free single housing furnished with basic furniture and appliances. If the school cannot provide housing, they will provide a ₩500,000/month housing stipend instead.
Key money (보증금) is NOT provided by the school.
Entrance Allowance
₩1,800,000Under the 2026–2027 SMOE contract (Art. 11), SMOE pays a ₩1,800,000 Entrance Allowance within one month of your start date to support your move to Korea. For the first six months it counts as a loan: if the contract ends within six months, for any reason, you must pay it back right away, and unpaid amounts are reported to Korea Immigration. Teachers hired from inside Korea do not receive it.
Settlement Allowance
₩300,000 (one-time)A one-time ₩300,000 Settlement Allowance to help you buy supplies and other furnishings for your apartment.
Severance Payment
1 month's salary per contractOn completion of each 1-year contract, you are entitled to an additional full month of salary as a severance bonus. The amount is cumulative across multiple contracts and paid upon exit.
Exit Allowance
₩1,300,000Under the 2026–2027 SMOE contract (Art. 11), teachers who complete their duties for the full contract term receive a ₩1,300,000 Exit Allowance when they leave SMOE.
Paid Vacation
26 workdays per contractUnder the 2026–2027 SMOE contract (Art. 14), teachers get 26 workdays of paid vacation per contract year, prorated if the contract is shorter. Dates are agreed with your school, usually during the summer (August) and winter (January) breaks; apply and get your head of school's approval at least 15 days ahead.
Sick Days
Up to 15 workdaysUnder the 2026–2027 SMOE contract (Art. 15), SMOE teachers get up to 15 working days of paid sick leave per contract term, with the head of school's prior approval. Once paid sick leave goes past a total of 6 working days, a medical certificate is required. Sick leave beyond 15 days is unpaid.
Medical Insurance
50% employer-paidUnder the National Medical Insurance Act, your employer pays 50% of your monthly premiums; the remainder is deducted from your paycheck. Coverage includes health, vision, and dental — auto-enrolled at contract start.
EPIK Orientation
9 days, all expenses paidNew EPIK and SMOE teachers attend a 9-day all-expenses-paid orientation covering teaching strategies, Korean language, and cultural classes. Lodging and meals are fully covered.
Renewal Allowance
No longer availableThe ₩2,000,000 Renewal Allowance that previously applied to teachers renewing at the same school has been discontinued.
Seoul Living Costs to Budget For
Housing is free, but Seoul's cost of living is higher than regional provinces. Budget accordingly.
Utilities
₩150,000 – ₩250,000 / month (higher than other regions due to Seoul pricing)
Transportation
₩50,000 – ₩80,000 / month (excellent subway/bus system with T-money card)
Dining Out
₩7,000 – ₩15,000 per meal (street food to mid-range restaurants)
Groceries
₩200,000 – ₩400,000 / month depending on cooking habits
Benefits FAQ
Q.Is SMOE housing actually free?
Yes. SMOE teachers live in a furnished studio or one-room apartment provided by the school at no rent. If the school cannot provide housing directly, they must pay you a ₩500,000 monthly housing stipend. Utilities (~₩150K-250K/month) are still your responsibility, and the school does not pay key money (보증금).
Q.Can I still get the Renewal Allowance?
No. The ₩2,000,000 Renewal Allowance for teachers staying at the same school has been officially removed and is no longer paid to any SMOE teachers.
Q.How does severance work in Korea?
Korean labor law entitles you to one month of extra salary for every 12-month contract you complete. For SMOE teachers, this is paid in a lump sum when you exit the program. A 2-year teacher receives ~2 months of severance, a 3-year teacher ~3 months, and so on.
Q.What does the 50% health insurance cover?
National Health Insurance covers roughly 70-80% of medical costs at Korean hospitals and clinics, including dental and vision. Your employer pays 50% of the monthly premium (~₩100K-150K total, so ₩50K-75K from your paycheck), and you're automatically enrolled on day 1 of your contract.
Claim These Seoul Benefits
Free housing, full health insurance, paid vacation — apply to SMOE through Korvia and get free document review and priority processing.