7 Government Support Programs for Newlyweds During Pregnancy and Childbirth

Newlyweds and expecting parents can access more government support than you might expect at every stage of pregnancy and childbirth. From pregnancy medical expenses to the First Meeting Voucher, the Postpartum & Newborn Care voucher, and infertility treatment costs — here’s a complete rundown of 7 government support programs for newlyweds during pregnancy and childbirth.

7 Pregnancy and Childbirth Support Programs at a Glance

Let’s start with a quick overview of what’s available. Here are the 7 government support programs newlyweds and expecting parents can receive during pregnancy and childbirth, summarized in a table.

Of the 7 programs, Pregnancy & Childbirth Medical Expenses, the First Meeting Voucher, and Postpartum & Newborn Care Support apply to almost every family with a new baby. The remaining 4 are additional support you may qualify for depending on your situation.

2 Government Support Programs to Claim During Pregnancy

These are the first two programs to look into as soon as your pregnancy is confirmed. They significantly reduce your medical expense burden, so it’s best to apply right after you get confirmation that you’re pregnant.

Health Insurance Pregnancy & Childbirth Medical Expense Support

This program provides a medical expense voucher to National Health Insurance subscribers whose pregnancy or childbirth has been confirmed. It can be used for the expectant mother’s own care as well as for medical expenses for infants under age 2.

• Amount: KRW 1,000,000 per pregnancy as a base amount, KRW 1,400,000 for multiple births (Source: Ministry of Health and Welfare)
• Extra amount: An additional KRW 200,000 for expectant mothers in medically underserved areas; for multiple births, topped up to KRW 1,000,000 per fetus
• Valid period: From the voucher’s issue date until 2 years after the expected due date (or the date of birth, miscarriage, or stillbirth)
• How to apply: Get your pregnancy/childbirth confirmed at an OB-GYN → apply through the National Health Insurance Service, a designated card issuer, or Gov24 (정부24, Korea’s central government services portal)
• Note: Cannot be used for quasi-drugs or cosmetic treatments; medical expenses from before the voucher’s start date are not covered retroactively

High-Risk Pregnancy Medical Expense Support

This covers medical costs for expectant mothers who are diagnosed with one of 19 designated high-risk pregnancy conditions — such as preterm labor, preeclampsia, or polyhydramnios — and receive inpatient treatment. Since 2024, it has been available regardless of household income.

• Coverage: 100% of the patient co-payment portion of National Health Insurance-covered inpatient treatment, plus 90% of non-covered (out-of-pocket) medical expenses
• Covered items: Consultation fees, medication/dispensing fees, injection fees, treatment/surgery fees, test fees, and more (room charges and special meals excluded)
• Application deadline: Within 6 months of the delivery date
• Where to apply: The public health center covering your registered address, or the e-Health Center public health portal or the 아이마중 app (a government app for pregnancy and birth services)
• Required documents: Medical certificate (with diagnosis name and code), admission/discharge confirmation, and itemized medical expense receipts

2 Government Support Programs for Couples Struggling with Infertility

For couples trying to conceive, treatment costs are often the biggest burden. The government eases this in two ways: covering treatment costs and providing paid leave.

Infertility Treatment Cost Support

This covers the patient co-payment for intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF, both fresh and frozen embryo transfers), plus three non-covered items: embryo freezing fees, anti-miscarriage medication, and implantation support medication.

• Eligibility: Submit an infertility diagnosis certificate; be legally married, or in a common-law marriage of at least 1 year as of the application date; at least one spouse must hold Korean nationality, and both spouses must be enrolled in National Health Insurance
• How to apply: Visit the public health center covering your address, or apply online
• Note: This has been a regional (devolved) program since 2022, so standards vary slightly by city/province. Common-law couples must visit the health center in person for their first application. The support approval notice is valid for 3 months from its issue date.

Infertility Treatment Leave Pay

Infertility treatment takes a lot of time, so paid leave is a big help if you’re employed. This program pays wages for part of the leave taken by employees at priority-support enterprises (government-designated small and medium-sized businesses).

• Days of leave: 6 days per year (the first 2 days paid, the remaining 4 unpaid)
• Pay cap: KRW 168,420 for the first 2 days (2025 rate, updated annually)
• Eligibility: Employees at priority-support enterprises with at least 180 days of insured employment before the leave end date
• Application window: From 1 month after the leave start date to within 12 months after the leave end date
• Where to apply: In person at the local employment center, online via Work24 (work24.go.kr), or by mail

A bill to expand paid infertility treatment leave from 2 to 4 days passed a National Assembly standing committee (the Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee) in April 2026. Whether and when it takes effect depends on the plenary vote, so check the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s official announcement for the actual effective date.

2 Government Support Programs Right After Childbirth

The period right after childbirth is when the burden is heaviest. The First Meeting Voucher and the Postpartum & Newborn Care voucher are core programs that almost every family with a new baby can receive.

First Meeting Voucher

This voucher is given to every child once their birth has been registered. For children born on or after January 1, 2024, the amount increases starting with the second child.

• Amount: KRW 2,000,000 for a first child, KRW 3,000,000 for a second child or later
• Valid period: Within 2 years of the child’s registered date of birth (for children born on or after January 1, 2024)
• Where to apply: In person at a community service center or public health center, or online via Bokjiro (Korea’s online welfare services portal)
• How to use it: Credited as points on the National Happiness Card (a government card that consolidates several maternity and childcare vouchers) and used for payment at participating merchants

Postpartum & Newborn Care Support

This service sends a trained caregiver to a family’s home to help the mother recover and support newborn care. The government covers part of the out-of-pocket cost.

• Service period: 5-40 days, depending on the type of birth (single, twins, etc.), birth order, and whether you choose the short, standard, or extended option
• Eligibility: Families whose combined National Health Insurance premium falls at or below 150% of the median income, or recipients of National Basic Livelihood Security or near-poverty support
• Application window: From 40 days before the due date to within 30 days after the birth (within 30 days of confirmation for a miscarriage/stillbirth after 16 weeks of pregnancy, or within 30 days of hospital discharge for infants hospitalized for prematurity or a congenital anomaly)
• Where to apply: The city/county/district public health center covering the mother’s registered address, or online via Bokjiro or Gov24
• Foreign couples: Only F-2 (long-term residence), F-5 (permanent residence), or F-6 (marriage migrant) visa holders are eligible

Newborn Medical Expense Support

This covers medical costs for babies born prematurely or with a congenital condition. Since 2024, it has been available regardless of household income.

Medical Expense Support for Premature Infants and Infants with Congenital Anomalies

This covers medical costs for newborns who need surgery or treatment immediately after birth.

• Who qualifies
  • Premature infants: Admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) within 24 hours of birth
  • Infants with congenital anomalies: Diagnosed with a “Q code” congenital anomaly within 2 years of birth, plus hospitalization/surgery
• Amount
  • Premature infants: Up to KRW 20,000,000, based on birth weight
  • Infants with congenital anomalies: Up to KRW 7,000,000
• Coverage: 100% of the patient co-payment portion of National Health Insurance-covered treatment, plus non-covered (out-of-pocket) medical expenses
• Application deadline: Within 6 months of the final discharge date
• Where to apply: The public health center covering your address, the e-Health Center public health portal, or the 아이마중 app
• Note: Cosmetic surgery is excluded; only surgery intended to treat a functional problem is covered

4 Things to Check Before You Apply

To make the most of all 7 programs, it’s important to keep track of application timing and paperwork. Here are the points people most often miss.

• Application deadlines — These vary by program: 6 months from the delivery/discharge date for some, 30 days to 2 years from the birth date for others. Mark them on your calendar
• National Happiness Card — Both the pregnancy/childbirth medical expense support and the First Meeting Voucher come as points on the National Happiness Card. It’s worth getting the card issued in advance
• Income criteria — Only Postpartum & Newborn Care Support has an income requirement (150% of median income or below). The other 6 programs have no income restriction
• Medically underserved areas and multiple births — Pregnancy/childbirth medical expense support adds KRW 200,000 for residents of medically underserved areas, and tops up to KRW 1,000,000 per fetus for multiple births

Pregnancy/childbirth medical expense support doesn’t apply retroactively to expenses from before the voucher’s start date. The key is to apply as soon as you receive your pregnancy confirmation. Any unused balance is automatically forfeited at the end of the valid period, so keep track of the expiration date too.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I receive both the pregnancy/childbirth medical expense support and the First Meeting Voucher?

Yes — the two are separate programs, so you can receive both. The KRW 1,000,000 pregnancy/childbirth medical support goes toward prenatal care, while the First Meeting Voucher (KRW 2,000,000 for a first child, KRW 3,000,000 for a second child or later) is used for childcare expenses after the birth is registered. Both are credited as points on the National Happiness Card.

Can every family with a new baby receive Postpartum & Newborn Care Support?

By default, it’s available to families whose health insurance premium falls at or below 150% of the median income. That said, some cities and provinces run separate exception programs, so even if your income is slightly over the limit, it’s worth checking with your local public health center. Near-poverty and National Basic Livelihood Security recipients qualify under separate criteria.

How many days of infertility treatment leave can I take?

6 days per year. Of those, the first 2 days are paid and the remaining 4 are unpaid. Employees at priority-support enterprises can receive government pay for the 2 paid days, capped at KRW 168,420 (2025 rate).

Can I apply for high-risk pregnancy medical expense support after giving birth?

Yes, you can apply after giving birth as long as it’s within 6 months of the delivery date. Submit a medical certificate (with diagnosis name and code), admission/discharge confirmation, and itemized medical expense receipts to the public health center covering your address.

Can I only apply for premature infant medical expense support right after birth?

No — you can apply any time within 6 months of the final discharge date. That said, for premature infants, eligibility requires NICU admission within 24 hours of birth. For infants with congenital anomalies, the standard is a Q-code diagnosis plus hospitalization/surgery within 2 years of birth.

Sources

• Gov24 - Health Insurance Pregnancy & Childbirth Medical Expense Support
• Ministry of Health and Welfare - Guide to the 2026 Postpartum & Newborn Care Support Program
• Bokjiro - Gov24/Bokjiro Portal (online applications for the First Meeting Voucher, Postpartum & Newborn Care Support, and more)