(A cost-understanding guide for international visitors coming to Korea for aesthetic medical purposes)
[Document type] Information guide for international patients / What changed in 2026 aesthetic medical costs, cost structure, quote-checking, and common misconceptions
* This content is reference material prepared based on public information verified as of July 2026, and does not guarantee the price or effect of any specific clinic or procedure. Tax and refund policies can change according to government policy, so please be sure to reconfirm the latest details and your individual final cost before your visit through Prettykeep and the relevant medical institution·specialist agency.
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Introduction
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For international visitors planning aesthetic medical care (skin procedures·plastic surgery) in Korea, 2026 brings one important change on the cost side.
Until now, when a foreign tourist received cosmetic·plastic aesthetic medical services at a registered attracting medical institution, a "special provision for VAT refund on foreign tourists' cosmetic surgery medical services" allowed a partial refund of value-added tax (VAT). This system was introduced as a temporary measure in April 2016 and extended several times, but during the 2025 tax reform it was decided not to extend it, and it ended as of December 31, 2025.
In other words, from 2026 this refund special provision for foreign patients is no longer in operation. Yet overseas blogs, communities, and search results still carry a lot of past information saying "you can get a tax refund if you have plastic surgery in Korea," which can lead visitors to arrive with the wrong expectation.
This guide is not written to present specific amounts or to declare things "cheap" or "expensive." Its purpose is to organize what changed, what elements aesthetic medical costs are originally made of, and what to check when receiving a quote, so that visitors can judge for themselves reasonably.
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What changed — the end of the VAT refund special provision
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[Overview of the ended system]
- Name: Special provision for VAT refund on foreign tourists' cosmetic surgery medical services
- Introduced: April 2016 (a temporary measure to revitalize medical tourism)
- Course: extended several times
- Ended: December 31, 2025 (decided not to extend in the 2025 tax reform)
- 2026: this refund special provision for foreign patients does not apply
[The government's stated reason for ending it]
The government stated that it decided not to extend the system, on the grounds that the purpose at the time of introduction had been substantially achieved as the number of foreign medical tourists steadily grew. On the other hand, the medical·tourism industries voiced concerns about weakened price competitiveness and market contraction, and there were moves to request an extension·reintroduction.
[What it practically means for visitors]
- In the past, at registered attracting medical institutions and if conditions were met, there were cases of refunding VAT of roughly KRW 100,000–200,000 per person depending on the procedure type (varies by procedure·amount).
- From 2026, this refund cannot be expected. Value-added tax (10%) still applies to cosmetic-purpose medical services, and the refund procedure itself is gone.
- Therefore, the calculation of "actual burden after refund" is no longer valid, and it is accurate to assume you bear the total amount shown on the quote (check whether VAT is included).
※ The tax system may change again in the future. There may be discussions of reintroduction·extension, so be sure to confirm the status at the time of your visit separately.
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What makes up aesthetic medical cost
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Aesthetic medical cost is not determined by the "procedure name" alone. Even for a procedure with the same name, the cost varies by the elements below. To understand a quote, it helps to first know this structure.
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1) Type and scope of the procedure
Even for the same "lifting," the scope varies by area (whole face/partial), method (ultrasound·radiofrequency·laser·threads, etc.), intensity·number of shots. Wider scope or combined procedures raise the cost.
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2) Devices·products·dosage used
Filler·botox·skin boosters, etc. differ greatly by product brand, injected dosage (cc·units), and type of device used. Not "one filler session" but "which product, how many cc" determines the cost.
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3) Anesthesia·medications·consumables
Whether surface anesthesia·sedation is used, the anesthesia method, prescribed medications, and consumables may be included or added separately.
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4) Medical staff·consultation
The performing·treating staff and the diagnosis·consultation process (e.g., detailed analysis·tests) may be reflected in the cost.
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5) Aftercare·re-treatment
Total cost varies by whether soothing care, progress checks, and if needed correction·re-treatment are included. Be sure to check whether they are included or separate.
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6) Value-added tax (VAT)
A 10% VAT applies to cosmetic-purpose medical services. The final payment differs depending on whether the quote is "VAT included" or "excluded." From 2026 there is no foreign special provision to refund this VAT.
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7) Region·institution characteristics
Region, the institution's operating form, and whether interpretation·convenience services are provided can also affect the pricing policy.
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What to check when receiving a quote
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Each clinic displays quotes differently. Checking the items below can reduce the misunderstanding that "the displayed price differs from what is actually paid."
- Whether the displayed amount includes VAT or is separate
- Whether anesthesia·medications·consumables are included or added
- Whether aftercare (progress check·soothing care) is included
- The cost·conditions if correction·re-treatment becomes necessary
- The item-by-item composition and total for combined procedures
- Whether product·dosage is specified (e.g., product name + cc/units)
- The refund·cancellation policy and conditions
- Payment method (card/cash), currency, and how the exchange rate is applied
- The validity period of the quote (prices can change)
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Payment·exchange rate·receipt
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[Payment methods]
- Available payment methods (card·cash, etc.) differ by institution. Check in advance whether card payment and overseas cards are accepted.
- Check whether a "cash price" and "card price" are quoted differently, and if so, what the difference is.
[Exchange rate·currency]
- Check whether the quote is in Korean won (KRW) or a foreign-currency conversion. Converted figures change with the exchange rate at the time of payment.
- Overseas card payments may incur additional card·currency-conversion fees.
[Receipt·documents]
- Keep a receipt·document showing the procedure details and amount paid. It helps for later inquiries or progress management.
- Past documents for the VAT refund (procedures involving the refund counter) no longer apply due to the 2026 refund ending.
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The total budget to plan beyond the cost
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The real budget of an aesthetic medical trip is not only the procedure fee. Considering the items below makes for a realistic plan.
- Flights·local transport
- Accommodation (number of nights considering recovery)
- Interpretation·companion support (if needed)
- Meals·living expenses
- Additional stay costs during recovery
- Aftercare·progress-check visits
- A buffer for unexpected re-visits·corrections
Often it is the "stay including the recovery period," rather than the procedure itself, that most affects the budget. Especially for procedures with swelling·bruising·downtime, it is safer to leave room in the schedule.
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Correcting common misconceptions
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- "You get a tax refund if you have plastic surgery in Korea" → From 2026, the foreign cosmetic·plastic VAT refund special provision has ended and does not apply.
- "The displayed price is the final payment" → It may differ depending on whether VAT is included and on additional items.
- "You just need to compare prices" → If product·dosage·scope·aftercare differ, a simple price comparison is not accurate.
- "The cheapest place is the best deal" → Cost is only one of the judgment factors; you should also look at safety·qualifications·aftercare.
- "Since the refund is gone, it must have risen a lot" → The end of the refund special provision is fact, but individual costs differ by institution·procedure·composition, so check directly with a quote.
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TOP 10 to check before visiting, on aesthetic medical cost
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No. 1
Be aware the VAT refund has ended
From 2026, no foreign cosmetic·plastic VAT refund. Do not rely on past information.
No. 2
Whether the quote includes VAT
Check whether the displayed amount is VAT-included or separate.
No. 3
Product·dosage specified
For filler·botox, etc., confirm the product name and cc·units.
No. 4
Whether anesthesia·medications·consumables are included
Check whether there are items added on top of the displayed price.
No. 5
Scope of aftercare included
Whether progress check·soothing care is included or separate.
No. 6
Correction·re-treatment conditions
Confirm the cost and conditions in advance if needed.
No. 7
Refund·cancellation policy
Rules and penalty conditions for cancellation·change.
No. 8
Payment method·currency·exchange rate
Card/cash, whether in KRW, overseas card fees.
No. 9
Total budget including recovery
Non-procedure costs such as accommodation·stay·transport·interpretation.
No. 10
Possibility of policy·price change
Tax systems and quotes can change. Reconfirm at the time of visit.
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Detailed explanation
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[No. 1 · Be aware the VAT refund has ended]
This is the first thing to correct. The foreign cosmetic·plastic VAT refund special provision, in place since its 2016 introduction, ended as of December 31, 2025. If you rely on old guidance remaining overseas and calculate "actual burden after refund," it will diverge from reality. Confirm the latest status before your visit.
[No. 2 · Whether the quote includes VAT]
A 10% VAT applies to cosmetic-purpose medical services. Even for the same procedure, a "VAT-included price" and a "VAT-excluded price" result in different final payments. When receiving a quote, be sure to clarify whether it is included.
[No. 3 · Product·dosage specified]
You cannot compare costs from "one filler session" or "one botox session" alone. The cost and result scope change depending on which product and how many cc·units are used. It is better to get a quote where product·dosage is specified.
[No. 4 · Whether anesthesia·medications·consumables are included]
Check whether surface anesthesia·sedation, prescribed medications, and consumables are included in the displayed price or separate. This reduces surprise from added costs on the day of the procedure.
[No. 5 · Scope of aftercare included]
Check whether soothing care and progress checks are included or a separate cost. Since international visitors have a fixed stay, it is good to discuss both the care possible while in Korea and the care method after returning home.
[No. 6 · Correction·re-treatment conditions]
Depending on the result, correction or re-treatment may be needed. Confirming the cost·conditions·period in that case lets you set a realistic budget and schedule.
[No. 7 · Refund·cancellation policy]
You may need to change·cancel your schedule due to personal circumstances or health. Confirm the cancellation·refund rules and penalty conditions in advance.
[No. 8 · Payment method·currency·exchange rate]
Check card·cash availability, overseas card use, whether it is in KRW, and currency-exchange·card fees. A foreign-currency-converted quote changes with the exchange rate at payment.
[No. 9 · Total budget including recovery]
Plan your budget to include not only the procedure fee but the stay considering recovery (accommodation·meals·transport·interpretation). Procedures with downtime need room in the schedule.
[No. 10 · Possibility of policy·price change]
The tax system (including reintroduction·change discussions) and clinic quotes can differ by time. The content of this guide is also as of July 2026; reconfirm the latest information at the time of your visit through Prettykeep and the medical institution·specialist agency.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
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Q1. Has the foreign cosmetic·plastic VAT refund really ended?
A. Yes. The special provision for VAT refund on foreign tourists' cosmetic surgery ended as of December 31, 2025, and does not apply in 2026.
Q2. From when does it not apply?
A. It was announced that this refund special provision does not apply from care·procedures on or after January 1, 2026. Confirm timing-based application with the medical institution·tax specialist agency.
Q3. Then how much is the VAT?
A. A 10% VAT applies to cosmetic-purpose medical services. However, the displayed final payment may differ depending on the quote format (included/separate).
Q4. If the refund is gone, how much do costs rise?
A. The end of the refund special provision is fact, but the individual burden differs by institution·procedure·composition. Past refunds were reported at roughly KRW 100,000–200,000 per person depending on the procedure, but this is only an example with large individual variation. Check the exact cost with a quote.
Q5. How do I confirm whether a quote includes VAT?
A. When receiving a quote, directly ask "Is this amount VAT-included or separate?" You can request this be confirmed in advance in the Prettykeep booking request.
Q6. Overseas blogs still mention the refund, though?
A. Much past information written before the system ended remains in search results. As of 2026 it does not apply, so you must confirm the latest information.
Q7. Can I pay by card?
A. It differs by institution. Confirm card·cash availability and overseas card use at the booking stage.
Q8. What if the cash price and card price differ?
A. Check whether there is a difference and, if so, why, and keep a receipt·document.
Q9. Is the quote in Korean won?
A. Check whether it is in Korean won (KRW) or a foreign-currency conversion. Converted figures change with the exchange rate at payment.
Q10. Can additional costs arise beyond the displayed price?
A. Anesthesia·medications·consumables·aftercare·correction may be separate. Confirming the scope in advance reduces unexpected additions.
Q11. Can I know the aftercare cost in advance too?
A. Discuss whether it is included or separate, the care possible during your stay in Korea, and the care method after returning home.
Q12. What if re-treatment is needed?
A. It depends on the institution's correction·re-treatment policy. Confirm the conditions·cost·period in advance.
Q13. Is it cheaper to have several procedures at once?
A. It depends on the combined composition. Consider the item-by-item composition and total, plus recovery·safety, and decide in consultation with the medical staff.
Q14. Should I just choose the cheapest clinic?
A. Cost is only one of the judgment factors. It is advisable to also look at safety·staff qualifications·aftercare·thoroughness of explanation.
Q15. Can I get an estimated cost in advance?
A. General guidance is possible, but the final cost is confirmed after in-person care. Telling Prettykeep your procedures·areas of interest helps with preparation.
Q16. Is there no chance the VAT refund returns?
A. There were moves in the industry to request reintroduction·extension, but as of July 2026 it does not apply. Policy may change, so reconfirm at the time of your visit.
Q17. Should I keep cost-related documents?
A. Keeping a receipt·document showing the procedure details·amount paid is useful for later inquiries and care.
Q18. What if a problem occurs after the procedure?
A. If emergency symptoms such as severe pain, rapid swelling, skin color change, difficulty breathing, or vision abnormality occur, visit the nearest emergency medical facility immediately. Cost·refund inquiries can be organized afterward through the institution·Prettykeep.
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Medical tourism tips
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- Compare quotes as a "VAT-included total." If the format differs, a simple number comparison goes wrong.
- Compare product·dosage·scope·aftercare on the same basis to be fair.
- Plan a stay budget including the recovery period. Often the stay, not the procedure fee, drives the budget.
- Plans based on old refund information need updating. Reconfirm on a 2026 basis.
- Do not decide on cost alone; also consider safety·qualifications·aftercare (covered in a separate guide).
- For institutional matters such as tax·refund, confirm finally through the medical institution·tax specialist agency.
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About Prettykeep
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Prettykeep supports international visitors preparing an aesthetic medical schedule in the following areas.
- Conveying a request to confirm the quote for procedures·areas of interest (including whether VAT is included)
- Conveying a request to confirm the included scope of product·dosage·aftercare
- Confirming whether interpretation·language support is available
- Supporting visit-schedule·stay-period coordination
- Conveying requests related to payment method·currency
- Guidance on the visit location and getting there
Prettykeep supports booking and communication and does not guarantee the price·effect·result of any specific clinic·procedure. Institutional matters such as tax·refund and the final cost require confirmation by the medical institution and relevant specialist agencies.
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Information and advertising notice
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This content is reference material prepared based on public information verified as of July 2026, and does not guarantee the price or effect of any specific clinic or procedure.
The special provision for VAT refund on foreign tourists' cosmetic surgery was introduced in April 2016, extended several times, and ended as of December 31, 2025. Tax and refund systems may change in the future, so please be sure to reconfirm the latest details at the time of your visit and your individual final cost through Prettykeep and the relevant medical institution·tax specialist agency.
Written and organized by Prettykeep editorial team
Basis of information verification July 2026
Content type Information guide for international patients (cost·policy)
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