Social Insurance for Foreigners: Enrollment & Premiums Guide

Foreigners employed by a company enroll in social insurance (health insurance and employees' pension), which offers broader coverage than National Health Insurance.

① The Four Types of Social Insurance

• Health Insurance: You pay only 30% of medical costs
• Employees' Pension: Old-age, disability, and survivor benefits
• Employment Insurance: Income support when unemployed
• Workers' Accident Insurance: Compensation for work-related injury or illness

② Enrollment Requirements

If you meet the conditions below, foreigners are required to enroll just like Japanese nationals (current requirements as of August 2026).

• Working 20+ hours per week
• Monthly income of ¥88,000 or more (a requirement through September 2026 — MHLW states this wage requirement is scheduled to be abolished in October 2026)
• Not a student — but evening, correspondence and part-time-course students, those on a leave of absence, and those already employed pending graduation ARE covered even as students (per MHLW's coverage-expansion site)
• Employer has 51+ employees (since October 2024 — this threshold will be lowered further, see below)
• Expected to work 2 months or longer

In other words, part-time workers at smaller companies who are currently excluded will gradually become eligible. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has stated a policy of phasing out the company-size threshold entirely over 10 years (the exact timeline will be set by future cabinet orders). Check the Japan Pension Service for the latest status.

Source: MHLW coverage-expansion special site / Japan Pension Service, "Expanding coverage for short-time workers" / MHLW pension reform special page / MHLW (phase-out policy).

③ Premium Estimates (monthly, employee's share)

Note: An additional long-term care insurance premium applies if you are aged 40–64. Health insurance rates vary by prefecture and insurer, so your actual amount may differ from the figures above.

④ Procedures When Leaving a Job

You lose social insurance coverage the day after you leave. One of the following may be necessary.

• Enroll in National Health Insurance: Apply at your city office within 14 days
• Voluntary continuation: Keep your former health insurance for up to 2 years (apply within 20 days of leaving)
• Become a dependent under a family member's health insurance: an option if you meet the dependent criteria under a family member's employer-based plan

Source: Japan Health Insurance Association, "Voluntary Continuation Insured Person system".

After leaving a job, you may be able to receive unemployment benefit (basic allowance) from employment insurance.

Health-insurance members can receive the Childbirth Lump-sum Grant when they have a baby.

If you paid into the Employees' Pension and leave Japan, you may be able to claim the lump-sum withdrawal payment.

You can see how your monthly social insurance premiums are deducted on your payslip. Our sister site Zainichi Money Navi breaks down social insurance, taxes and take-home pay in How to read your Japanese payslip (social insurance & taxes).

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