🇰🇷 Is South Korea safe to visit?
Daily safety index from official government advisories, plus the consular map of South Korea: 57 diplomatic missions from 54 countries, local emergency numbers and language essentials.
Updated Sep 13, 2026 · Composite index recalculated daily from official government advisories.
What official sources say
Levels are normalized to Telcomia's 1–4 scale. Always read the full official advisory at the source.
What to know before traveling to South Korea
Drawn from the linked official advisories — always check the full text at the source.
Trip essentials
- Middle East escalation has caused airspace closures and flight cancellations that may affect travel plans even outside the region
- Check transit country advisories, latest airline or tour operator updates before departing
- Review your travel insurance policy to confirm it covers your itinerary, activities and emergency expenses
- Sign up for FCDO email alerts to receive updates when travel advice changes
- Passport valid for at least 6 months required; no visa needed for stays up to 90 days
- K-ETA electronic authorization suspended for Spanish citizens until 31 December 2026
- E-arrival card must be completed online within 3 days before arrival
- Biometric check mandatory on arrival: facial recognition and fingerprints
Risk areas and situations
- Travel disruption linked to Middle East escalation may impact routes and connections through multiple regions
- Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas must be avoided; controls also in the adjacent area
- If tensions with North Korea escalate, civilians should follow official emergency guidelines
Health
- Travellers from Spain showing dengue or Crimean-Congo fever symptoms must submit a public health declaration on arrival
- Hepatitis B vaccine recommended for long-term stays
- Encephalitis vaccine recommended in summer for young children and elderly travellers
Emergency numbers in South Korea
Embassies and consulates in South Korea
57 diplomatic missions from 54 countries, across 6 cities.
| Nationality | Missions | Cities |
|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇳 China | 2 | Gwangju, Seoul |
| 🇮🇳 India | 2 | Busan, Seoul |
| 🇷🇺 Russia | 2 | Busan, Seoul |
| 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | 1 | Seoul |
| 🇦🇷 Argentina | 1 | Seoul |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | 1 | Seoul |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 1 | Seoul |
| 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan | 1 | Seoul |
| 🇧🇩 Bangladesh | 1 | |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | 1 | Seoul |
| 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | 1 | Seoul |
| 🇧🇴 Bolivia | 1 | Seoul |
…and 42 more nationalities with diplomatic presence.
The full directory — addresses, phone numbers and locations on the map — is available in the Telcomia app.
Local language
The main local language in South Korea is Korean. The Telcomia app includes 16 emergency phrases in Korean, with audio, ready to play when you need them.
See the 16 emergency phrases in KoreanTraveling to South Korea?
Stay connected from the moment you land: prepaid eSIM data plans for South Korea, delivered instantly, with the Telcomia safety layer included.
Frequently asked questions
Is South Korea safe to visit right now?
The Telcomia Safety Index for South Korea is 1.18/4 (Low risk, level 1 of 4) as of Sep 13, 2026. It is a composite of official advisories from Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States, recalculated daily.
What is the emergency number in South Korea?
The general emergency number in South Korea is 112. Save it before you travel — with a Telcomia eSIM you can call for help without hunting for Wi-Fi.
How many embassies are there in South Korea?
Telcomia tracks 57 diplomatic missions from 54 countries in South Korea, across 6 cities. The full directory with addresses and phone numbers is in the Telcomia app.
Informational only
This page is general information, not a substitute for official government travel advice. Conditions can change quickly — always check your own government's latest advisory before and during your trip.
Advisory levels summarize official sources: Spain's MAEC, the UK FCDO (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0) and the U.S. Department of State (public domain). Follow the links above for the full official text.