Field Notes / Travelers

Traveling to South Korea with a Medical Condition (CPAP, Prescriptions, Reduced Mobility)

2026-06 5 min read EN

At a glance — A CPAP machine flies free in the cabin on most airlines, and up to three months of personal prescription medication clears Korean customs with a doctor's note. Narcotics and psychotropics, however, require advance authorization from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). Major Seoul university hospitals run English-speaking international health centers.

Bringing a CPAP, oxygen concentrator, or medical equipment

Personal medical devices (CPAP, BiPAP, nebulizer, insulin pump, portable oxygen concentrator) are recognized by IATA and most airlines as medical equipment: they do not count against your cabin baggage allowance. A few practical rules:

  • Always travel with the device in the cabin, never in checked baggage (risk of damage, possible denied boarding if a battery is damaged).
  • Carry a prescription or doctor's letter in English stating the diagnosis and the device name. It is rarely requested, but it can be decisive at a security check, especially on a layover (Beijing, Doha, Istanbul).
  • Lithium batteries: since January 2026, batteries "packed with a device" must travel at a state of charge below 30% under IATA rules. Batteries up to 100 Wh are accepted without paperwork; between 100 and 160 Wh, expect to need prior airline approval. Spare batteries travel in the cabin only.
  • Electrical adapter: Korea runs on 220 V / 60 Hz, type C/F plug. Verify your power supply accepts 50–60 Hz (most modern CPAPs are universal).
  • At Korean customs, declare the device on the customs form if asked; it is not taxed for personal use.

For an oxygen concentrator, approval is at the airline's discretion: notify the carrier at least 48 hours before the flight and present a medical certificate (most airlines use a MEDIF or similar medical clearance form).

Bringing your prescription: what Korean customs accepts

The official rule for South Korea:

  • Standard medications (non-narcotic, non-psychotropic): up to three months of treatment for personal use, accompanied by the original prescription in English or translated into Korean. Keep the original boxes with their labels.
  • Medications classified as narcotics or psychotropics: prior authorization from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is mandatory, regardless of quantity. Apply by email to narcotics@korea.kr at least 10 business days before departure, with: the MFDS form, a passport copy, flight booking confirmation, a detailed medical certificate, the prescription, and an export/import certificate.

Affected drugs include some ADHD treatments (methylphenidate, amphetamines), certain anxiolytics and sleep aids (zolpidem, alprazolam, depending on the dosage), opioid painkillers (tramadol, codeine above a certain threshold), and some older antidepressants. Many modern SSRI antidepressants (sertraline, paroxetine, escitalopram) are not classified as narcotics and clear customs with a simple prescription.

Practical tips:

  • Ask your doctor for a prescription written in international nonproprietary name (INN / generic name) rather than brand name, plus a cover letter in English describing the condition.
  • For a long stay, ask your prescriber about extended fills; rules vary by country, but many systems allow a longer supply with appropriate documentation.
  • If a drug's status is unclear, the Korean consular service or the MFDS will answer by email.

Getting care on the ground: hospitals and emergencies

South Korea has a very high standard of healthcare, particularly in Seoul. The three major university hospitals run dedicated, English-speaking international centers:

  • Severance Hospital — International Health Care Center (Yonsei University, Sinchon, Seoul): the country's oldest international center, with more than 50,000 foreign patients per year.
  • Samsung Medical Center — International Healthcare Center (Gangnam, Seoul): outpatient clinic dedicated to foreign patients, coordinators on call 24/7.
  • Asan Medical Center — International Healthcare Center (Songpa, Seoul): primary care, emergencies, vaccinations, check-ups, interpreting services in English, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Arabic, and Mongolian.

In a life-threatening emergency, dial 119 (fire and ambulance, transport free of charge). As soon as you are connected, say "Hello, English please" or "Ambulance please," and the operator will loop in an interpreter. 112 is for police only. For non-urgent guidance (finding an English-speaking doctor, prescription translation), dial 1330 — the KTO tourist hotline, multilingual 24 hours a day.

Payment: international hospitals accept Visa and Mastercard. Keep all receipts and have the medical report translated into English for reimbursement by your travel insurance. Taking out travel medical insurance with repatriation cover for hospitalization, surgery, and evacuation is essential: without it, a single day in the hospital can exceed $1,100, depending on the facility.

Reduced mobility, wheelchair, dialysis

Urban accessibility: Seoul is generally more accessible than its reputation suggests. About 94% of Seoul subway stations have elevators, and most city buses in the capital are low-floor. Accessible taxis (yellow van models fitted with a ramp) can be booked through 1330. New public buildings comply with accessibility standards.

Limits: in the older neighborhoods north of the Han River (Bukchon, Insadong, parts of Jongno), sidewalks are narrow and uneven, and some temples and palaces require stairs. In Busan, the subway is accessible but the city's hilly terrain remains demanding. Outside the major cities (countryside, small islands, mountain trails), facilities are very hit-or-miss.

Dialysis: Korea has good-quality hemodialysis centers, but there is no walk-in private clinic. The procedure:

  1. Contact the international center at the university hospital nearest your accommodation (Severance, Samsung, Asan, Gangnam Severance, etc.) at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure.
  2. Forward your most recent labs, your dialysis prescription, and a copy of your insurance card.
  3. Budget for an indicative cost of ₩500,000 to ₩1,000,000 per session (roughly $370 to $740), payable on discharge and then claimed back through your insurance.

Specialized platforms (Bookdialysis, Booknowmed) help arrange dialysis abroad in advance.

Before you leave, double-check three things: the current list of controlled substances (the MFDS site or the Korean consulate in your country), the limits on your travel insurance (hospitalization, repatriation, dialysis), and the electrical compatibility of your devices.

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