atlas•

Zuid-Korea: wat je moet weten voor vertrek

Het belangrijkste

  • Since 1 Jan 2026 an online e-Arrival Card is mandatory (paper cards phased out) unless you hold a valid K-ETA. File it free within 3 days before arrival.
  • K-ETA (KRW 10,000) is waived until 31 Dec 2026 for 22 countries incl. US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland. Trips in 2027 may need a K-ETA again - check k-eta.go.kr.
  • Russian and Kazakh visitors are visa-free but must get a K-ETA at least 72 hours before departure.
  • Controlled ADHD medicines, including amphetamine drugs, require specific advance MFDS approval; a prescription alone is insufficient. Illegal cannabis carries severe penalties.
  • Google Maps navigation is limited in Korea; use Naver Map or KakaoMap.

Inreis en visa

Visa-free nationalities must hold either a K-ETA (online, KRW 10,000, valid up to 3 years) or, if K-ETA-exempt, complete the free e-Arrival Card. Temporary K-ETA exemption for 22 countries/regions runs until 31 Dec 2026; travellers aged 17 or younger or 65 and over are also exempt. Nationals of Uzbekistan, Belarus, Ukraine, India and mainland China need a visa (Chinese and some others can visit Jeju alone visa-free for 30 days).

Online aankomstformulieren en vergunningen

  • K-ETA ↗ verplicht
    At least 72 hours before boarding · Kosten: KRW 10,000 · Visa-free nationals not on the temporary exemption list (e.g. RU, KZ, TR)
  • e-Arrival Card ↗ verplicht
    Within 3 days (72 hours) before arrival · Kosten: Free · All foreign visitors without a valid K-ETA or residence card

Geldigheid paspoort: Valid for the whole stay; 6 months recommended.

Aan de grens kan worden gevraagd naar

  • Fingerprints and a photo are taken at immigration (age 17+).
  • Use only official sites: many look-alike K-ETA/e-Arrival sites charge extra fees.
  • Buy a T-money card at the airport for metro, buses and convenience stores.

Douane

  • Duty-free allowance USD 800 per person; 2 bottles of alcohol (total 2 L, under USD 400) and 200 cigarettes.
  • Declare cash and cheques over USD 10,000.
  • Meat, sausages and fresh fruit are prohibited without certificates; heavy fines apply.
  • Carry prescriptions for medicines; stimulants and narcotics need prior approval.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: k-eta.go.kr ↗, blog.wego.com ↗, blog.turis.io ↗, loyaltylobby.com ↗, k-eta.go.kr ↗, k-eta.go.kr ↗

Geld

Bijna overal kun je met de kaart betalen. Kaarten worden bijna overal geaccepteerd.

Betaalnetwerken: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, UnionPay

Apple Pay — werkt op sommige plekken · Google Pay — werkt op sommige plekken

Waar je geld wisselt

  • Licensed money changers in Myeongdong and Itaewon (Seoul) usually beat banks
  • Airport bank counters are fine for small amounts on arrival

Waar je beter niet wisselt

  • Hotel desks
  • Dynamic currency conversion (paying in your home currency)

Geldautomaten: Use 'Global ATM' machines (e.g. Woori, Shinhan, KB, convenience-store ATMs) for foreign cards; expect a local withdrawal fee plus your bank's fee.

Fooi: Not expected or customary; upscale hotels add a service charge.

  • Cards (even for small amounts) work almost everywhere; street markets and some taxis may prefer cash or T-money.
  • Apple/Google Pay with foreign cards work only on contactless terminals, which are not universal.
  • Russian-issued Visa/Mastercard do not work abroad; Mir is not accepted. Bring USD/EUR to exchange or a foreign-issued card.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: english.visitkorea.or.kr ↗, gov.uk ↗, support.apple.com ↗, english1.visitkorea.or.kr ↗, usa.visa.com ↗, mastercard.com ↗

Regels en verboden

Verboden

  • Drugs incl. cannabis and CBD with THC: strict penalties, prison and deportation.
  • Do not bring amphetamine medicines such as Adderall without specific advance MFDS approval; a foreign prescription alone is insufficient.
  • Drones: flying in central and northern Seoul (no-fly zones near the presidential office and the DMZ) and near airports is banned without a permit.
  • Photographing military bases and around the DMZ outside tour rules.
  • Smoking indoors and in many public places (bus stops, parks); fines apply.
  • Drink-driving: limit 0.03%, enforced strictly.

Wetten die reizigers onbewust overtreden

  • Carry your passport; police can ask for ID.
  • Defamation can be a criminal offence in Korea, including online posts and reviews.
  • Working on a visa-free entry is illegal.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: gov.uk ↗, overseas.mofa.go.kr ↗, 8tharmy.korea.army.mil ↗, gov.uk ↗

Cultuur en kleding

Religie: Mostly non-religious, with large Christian and Buddhist communities.

Kleding: Modern and fashion-conscious; casual clothes fine. Cover shoulders and knees in temples. Swimsuits only at beaches/pools.

Etiquette

  • Bow slightly when greeting; use two hands to give and receive items, especially to elders.
  • Remove shoes in homes, temples and floor-seating restaurants.
  • Seats marked for elderly, disabled and pregnant passengers on the metro should be left empty.
  • Pour drinks for others, not yourself; turn slightly away from elders when drinking.
  • Do not write names in red ink.
  • Speak quietly on public transport.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: english.visitkorea.or.kr ↗

Klimaat

Four distinct seasons (Seoul shown): cold, dry winters below freezing, hot humid summers with a monsoon (jangma) late June–July and occasional typhoons in Aug–Sep. Jeju and Busan are milder.

Per maand
  • januari: Jan: 1°C / -6°C, coldest; dry and windy
  • februari: Feb: 4°C / -4°C, cold; dry
  • maart: Mar: 11°C / 2°C, cool; fine dust days possible
  • april: Apr: 18°C / 8°C, cherry blossom early April
  • mei: May: 24°C / 14°C, warm, sunny; excellent
  • juni: Jun: 28°C / 19°C, warm; monsoon starts late month
  • juli: Jul: 29°C / 23°C, monsoon rains, humid
  • augustus: Aug: 30°C / 23°C, hot, humid; typhoon risk
  • september: Sep: 26°C / 18°C, warm, clearing; Chuseok holiday
  • oktober: Oct: 20°C / 10°C, clear; autumn foliage
  • november: Nov: 11°C / 3°C, crisp; late foliage
  • december: Dec: 3°C / -4°C, cold; ski season begins

Beste seizoen: April–May and September–November for mild, clear weather.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: english.visitkorea.or.kr ↗

Wat mee te nemen

  • Type C/F plug adapter (220V)
  • Warm coat, gloves and thermal layers for Dec–Feb
  • Umbrella or rain jacket for late June–August
  • Slip-on shoes
  • Mask for fine-dust days in spring
  • Prescriptions with the original packaging for medicines

Niet meenemen / invoer verboden

  • Adderall or other amphetamine-based medicines
  • CBD or cannabis products
  • Meat products and fresh fruit

Praktisch

Stopcontacten: Type C/F, 220V, 60Hz

Water: Tap water is treated and safe, though locals usually drink filtered or bottled water.

Verkeer: rechts rijden

Mobiel en eSIM: Very fast mobile data. eSIMs and prepaid SIMs (KT, SK, LG U+) are sold at Incheon airport and online; free Wi-Fi on the metro and in cafes.

Apps: Naver Map, KakaoMap, Kakao T (taxis), Papago, Subway Korea, K-ETA

Internet: Open internet; Google Maps has limited navigation due to map data rules. Some North Korea-related sites are blocked.

Gezondheid: No vaccinations required. High-quality hospitals in cities with international clinics; pay upfront. Air quality can be poor on fine-dust days, mostly in spring.

Verzekering: Not required for entry; recommended.

Noodnummers: Police 112; fire/ambulance 119; tourist helpline 1330 (24h, English)

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: english.visitkorea.or.kr ↗, gov.uk ↗, english.seoul.go.kr ↗

Inreisregels veranderen. Controleer vóór de reis de website van de ambassade of immigratiedienst van het land.