Cosmetic clinics in Seoul in 2026: VAT refund over, the "foreigner price" and questions to ask

Since 1 January 2026, foreigners no longer get a VAT refund on cosmetic procedures. How to compare prices, avoid the "foreigner price" and book.

Updated 26 October 2026 · Dari team · 2 min read

Machine translation from French, being reviewed. Read the French version (reference)

Seoul draws many visitors for dermatology and cosmetic surgery. Two things have changed the picture: the end of the VAT refund, and the issue of different prices for foreigners.

The VAT refund is over

Until 31 December 2025, foreign patients could get the 10% VAT refunded on many cosmetic procedures: skin rejuvenation, wrinkle treatments, double-eyelid surgery, fat-dissolving injections, breast augmentation¹. The scheme has ended¹. In practice, after the refund company's commission, the amount returned was already below 10%².

Prices quoted in 2026 therefore no longer include this discount: compare 2026 prices, not old quotes.

The "foreigner price"

Foreign patients often face unequal information, opaque pricing and a language barrier³. In March 2026, the Gangnam Unni platform opened a centre for foreigners in Gangnam, focused on clinics that practise "Equal Price", meaning the same price for Korean and foreign patients, with interpretation in Chinese, Thai and English³.

Questions to ask before booking

• Is the quoted price the same as for a Korean patient?
• What is included: consultation, anaesthesia, aftercare?
• Who performs the procedure: the doctor you saw at the consultation?
• What are the cancellation and deposit refund terms?
• Is an interpreter present, and is it charged?

Booking without a Korean number

Many clinics take bookings through Naver or by phone. Dari can call for you and ask these questions in Korean.

Frequently asked questions

Is there still a VAT refund on cosmetic surgery in 2026?

No. The 10% VAT refund for foreign patients ended on 31 December 2025¹.

How do I avoid paying more than a Korean patient?

Ask whether the price is the same as for a Korean patient and get a written quote; some platforms only recommend "Equal Price" clinics³.

Sources

1. Asia News Network (The Korea Herald), fin de la détaxe des actes esthétiques pour les patients étrangers (11/12/2025) · checked on 26 October 2026
2. Korea JoongAng Daily, la ruée vers les cliniques avant la fin de la détaxe · checked on 26 October 2026
3. Asia Business Daily, Gangnam Unni ouvre un centre d'aide aux patients étrangers « Equal Price » (04/03/2026) · checked on 26 October 2026