Can I get a tax refund on skin treatments in Korea?
Quick answer: No, not since January 1, 2026. The VAT refund that foreign patients could claim on cosmetic and aesthetic procedures in Korea has ended, so treatments now carry 10% VAT with no refund at the clinic or the airport. At Dernia Clinic Myeongdong, prices are listed in Korean won excluding VAT, so add 10% to see your real cost. Tax-free shopping refunds on eligible goods still exist separately.
- Treatment VAT refund: Ended January 1, 2026
- VAT on cosmetic treatments: 10%
- Dernia prices: In KRW, excluding 10% VAT
- Example: ₩200,000 listed = ₩220,000 total
- Shopping tax refunds: Still available on eligible goods, separately
- More detail: See our 2026 VAT refund guide
The detailed answer
For several years, Korea ran a scheme that let foreign visitors reclaim the VAT paid on eligible cosmetic procedures at participating clinics. That scheme ended on January 1, 2026. Cosmetic treatments in Korea carry 10% VAT, and for treatments from 2026 onward there is no refund for foreign patients, whether at the clinic, a refund kiosk or the airport.
Some websites, blogs and social posts still describe the old refund. If you read that you can claim back VAT on Botox, lifting or lasers, check the date: that information is out of date. The rule applies to every clinic, so it is not something a clinic can offer or waive. If you had treatment in Korea before 2026 and claimed a refund then, the process you remember no longer applies. The upside is simplicity: with no refund to wait for, the price you pay at the clinic is final.
What this means for your budget
| Listed price (excl. VAT) | VAT (10%) | You pay |
|---|---|---|
| ₩100,000 | ₩10,000 | ₩110,000 |
| ₩500,000 | ₩50,000 | ₩550,000 |
| ₩1,000,000 | ₩100,000 | ₩1,100,000 |
Prices are in Korean won (KRW), exclude 10% VAT, and are confirmed at your consultation. Our price list shows from-prices for every treatment, and what currency prices are in explains paying in won.
What still qualifies for a tax refund
General tax-free shopping is separate and still exists. Eligible purchases of goods, such as skincare and cosmetics at participating stores in Myeongdong, may qualify for a refund when you meet the conditions, which the store can explain. Keep your passport and receipts with you when shopping, since stores generally need them to process a refund. Our guides to K-beauty shopping after treatment and the Myeongdong area help you shop sensibly while your skin heals.
What we recommend
Budget using the VAT-inclusive figure, compare clinics on the same basis, and ask for an itemized quote that shows VAT separately. If you want several treatments, compare the combined cost of treatment packages against booking each one. Our guide to shots, lines and cc helps you compare like for like. For the full background, read our 2026 VAT refund guide and the payment and tax page, then book a consultation for a confirmed quote.
Not sure which treatment is right for you?
Tell us your concerns and your travel dates. A doctor examines your skin in person, explains your options in English, and confirms the plan and price before anything is done.
FAQ
Related questions
Straight answers from our medical team. Still unsure? Ask a doctor or browse all patient questions .
When did the VAT refund on cosmetic procedures end?
It ended on January 1, 2026. Treatments from that date carry 10% VAT with no refund for foreign patients.
Can I still get tax refunds on shopping in Korea?
Yes. General tax-free shopping refunds on eligible goods still exist. Look for participating stores and check the conditions when you buy.
Do Dernia prices include VAT?
No. Prices are listed in Korean won excluding 10% VAT, which is added at payment. Your doctor confirms the final amount at consultation.
Is Korea still good value without the refund?
That depends on what you compare. Look at the product, the amount, whether a doctor treats you and whether VAT is included, not just the headline price. See how to choose a skin clinic in Seoul.
Keep exploring
Related treatments, prices and guides
Payment and tax
- Payment and tax — how paying works
- VAT refund on cosmetic procedures (2026) — what changed
- What currency are prices in? — KRW and VAT
Prices
- All treatment prices — from-prices for every treatment
- Treatment packages — combined plans
- Shots, lines and cc — how Korean clinics price
Shopping and travel
- K-beauty shopping after treatment — what's safe to use
- Myeongdong area guide — for patients
- K-ETA and e-Arrival Card in 2026 — entry checklist
Plan your visit to Dernia Clinic Myeongdong
English consultations, clear prices in Korean won and treatment plans built around your time in Seoul. Tell us your dates and we will suggest a schedule that fits.
Individual results vary. Suitability, dosage and final price are confirmed by a licensed doctor at your consultation. Prices are in Korean won (KRW) and exclude 10% VAT. Medical disclaimer