EasyTicket TL;DR — This summer 2026, you can take advantage of three programs: ① the government’s Worker Vacation Support Project (pay 200,000 KRW, get 400,000 KRW), ② the SME Welfare Platform welfare points (up to 300,000 points), and ③ the newly launched Local Love Vacation Support (“Half-Price Travel”) (50% refund on travel costs). You can even combine all three.
If summer vacation is coming up and the cost feels like a burden, start by checking the vacation-expense support programs run jointly by the government, local governments, and businesses. EasyTicket has organized all the programs actually running in 2026 in one place, sorted by eligibility, how to apply, and support amount.
1. The Government’s Worker Vacation Support Project — Pay 200,000 KRW, Spend 400,000 KRW
This is the flagship vacation-expense support program that the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has run since 2018. If you work at a small or medium-sized enterprise, a small business, or a nonprofit, this should be your first priority.
Support Amount and Eligibility
You contribute 200,000 KRW, your company adds 100,000 KRW, and the government adds 100,000 KRW, giving you a total of 400,000 KRW in domestic travel points. For medium-sized companies with 5+ years of cumulative participation, the ratio shifts to government 50,000 / company 150,000 / employee 200,000 (source: Korea Tourism Organization).
- Eligible: Employees of small and medium-sized enterprises, small business owners, nonprofit organizations, and social welfare corporations
- Requirement: Must be enrolled in employment insurance
- Application unit: Individual applications are not accepted — only companies can apply
How and When to Apply
For 2026, applications opened at 2 PM on January 30, accepting the first 100,000 applicants. Since the program closes early once the budget runs out, you’ll need to move fast when the next application round is announced. You can apply on the “Worker Vacation Support” official website.
Where You Can Use the Points
You can use the points on roughly 270,000 products (accommodations, transportation, attraction tickets, and packages) at the dedicated “Vacation Shop” online mall. They must be used by December 31, 2026.
2. The SME Welfare Platform — Matched Welfare Points
The “SME Worker Welfare Platform,” run by the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSMES), can also be used for vacation expenses. It’s a separate program from the Worker Vacation Support Project.
Support Amount and Where to Use It
Your company and KOSMES contribute matching funds, so you get 200,000 points in the first round, plus another 100,000 points in a second round once the first is used up. You can spend them in the culture, leisure, and self-development categories, which includes vacation-related payments.
Extra Benefits for Young Workers and Population-Declining Areas
If you’re 34 or younger and work at a business in one of the 89 cities, counties, and districts designated by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety under the Special Act on Population-Declining Areas, you’re eligible for a separate support track. Applications are submitted through the Naeil-Chaeum Gongje (a savings program for building employees’ future assets) website.
You can only use welfare points if your company is enrolled in the program. The deadline to use them is November 30, 2026, and unused points expire, so it makes sense to use them up during the summer vacation season.
3. The New 2026 “Local Love Vacation Support” — aka Half-Price Travel
This is a new pilot program launching this year. In 20 local governments selected through an open competition among 84 population-declining areas, you’ll get half of your travel expenses refunded.
Support Limits and Youth Benefits
- Solo travel: 50% of your spending, up to 100,000 KRW, refunded
- Two or more travelers: 50% of your spending, up to 200,000 KRW, refunded
- Ages 19–34: refund rate +20 percentage points → up to 140,000 KRW refunded
Refunds are paid out as mobile local love gift certificates. The total program budget is 20 billion KRW (source: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism).
Application Process (Summary)
- Submit your travel plan in advance on the Korea Tourism Organization’s “Every Corner of Korea” travel portal (대한민국 구석구석) or the relevant local government’s website
- Pay for lodging, meals, and activities within the designated region
- Upload receipts and supporting documents after your trip
- Receive your refund as a local love gift certificate after review
The application period mainly runs from April through late June 2026, though the schedule and documentation requirements vary by local government. Be sure to check the relevant local government’s announcement before you set out.
4. Compare at a Glance — Which Program Fits You?
| 제도 | 운영 주체 | 자격 | 지원 한도 | 신청 단위 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worker Vacation Support Project | Korea Tourism Organization | Employees of SMEs and small businesses | 400,000 KRW in points | Company |
| SME Welfare Points | KOSMES | Employees of enrolled companies | Up to 300,000 points | Company |
| Local Love Vacation Support | Local governments + Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism | Citizens aged 18+ | Solo 100K / 2+ people 200K / Youth 140K | Individual |
You can combine all three programs. For example, if your company is enrolled in the Worker Vacation Support Project, you could use your 400,000 KRW in points to pay for lodging and transportation, then claim a Half-Price Travel refund using your meal and activity receipts.
5. Checklist Before You Apply
- Check with HR whether your company is enrolled in the Worker Vacation Support Project or the Welfare Platform
- Confirm you’re enrolled in employment insurance (required for the Vacation Support Project)
- Check whether your desired destination is among the 20 pilot population-declining areas
- If you’re a newlywed couple, plan your route around the two-person Half-Price Travel limit (up to 200,000 KRW)
- Keep your receipts and card statements separately (as proof for the Half-Price Travel refund)
- Check the points’ expiration date (November–December 2026) before scheduling your trip
With Half-Price Travel, expenses paid without submitting your travel plan in advance are not eligible for a refund. If you think “I’ll just apply after the trip,” you’re likely to miss out.
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Can employees of large corporations apply for the Worker Vacation Support Project?
No. It’s only available to employees of small and medium-sized enterprises, small businesses, nonprofits, and social welfare facilities. If you work at a large corporation, your realistic option is the Local Love Vacation Support (Half-Price Travel) program.
Q. Which program is best for a newlywed couple’s trip?
Local Love Vacation Support is your best bet, since it has a higher refund cap for two people. If even one of you is 34 or younger, you’ll also get the youth benefit rate.
Q. If I can’t use up all my points, do I get a refund?
For the Worker Vacation Support Project, if you don’t use your points by the deadline, the amount excluding the government’s contribution (i.e., your own and your company’s contributions) is refunded. Welfare points simply expire, so we recommend using them all up by summer or fall.
Q. Can I use the Vacation Support Project and Half-Price Travel together?
Yes, since they use different payment methods and support tracks, you can use both at the same time. However, you can’t claim the same receipt under both programs.
Knowing about just one of these programs means leaving money on the table this summer. Take advantage of both the programs your company is enrolled in and the ones you can apply for yourself, and you could cut your costs for the same trip by half.