Investing
Buying Korean stocks and ETFs as a foreigner, dividend and capital-gains tax, treaties, property purchase rules and crypto — with the 2026 regime explained.
Latest guides
Invest · 7 min readBuying Property in Korea as a Foreigner (2026)Foreigners can buy Korean property, but since Aug 2025 all of Seoul and 30 Gyeonggi/Incheon areas need a permit (to Aug 25, 2027) with a 2-year live-in rule.
Crypto in Korea for Foreigners (2026)ARC holders can trade on Upbit via K Bank; Coinone and Gopax take no new foreigners; non-residents are shut out. Tax from Jan 1, 2027: 22% above ₩2.5M. · 6 min read
How to Buy Korean Stocks as a Foreigner (2026)Foreign residents with an ARC open Korean brokerage accounts like locals (mostly in-branch); non-residents use passport or omnibus routes. Hours, fees, costs. · 5 min read
ISA and IRP for Foreigners in Korea (2026)Foreign residents can open Korea's ISA (₩20M/yr, gains tax-free to ₩2–4M then 9.9%) and IRP (16.5%/13.2% credit on ₩9M). Flat-tax electors get no IRP credit. · 6 min read
Jeonse Explained for Foreigners (2026)Jeonse: a lease with a deposit of 50–80% of the home's value and no monthly rent. The 2026 math, jeonse-to-wolse at 5%, deposit protection, fraud checks. · 6 min read
Taxes on Korean Stocks for Foreign Residents (2026)Living in Korea, your Korean shares are taxed like a Korean's: 15.4% on dividends, no tax on gains unless you hold ₩5bn of one stock, comprehensive over ₩20M. · 5 min read
Korean Stock Taxes for Non-Residents (2026)Non-residents pay 22% on Korean dividends unless a treaty cuts it (most 15%, some 10%) via Form 29-12 and a residency certificate. Gains mostly exempt. · 6 min read
KOSPI ETFsA Korean-listed KOSPI 200 ETF costs 0.05–0.15% a year with no capital gains tax for residents; EWY 0.59%, FLKR 0.09%, KORU 1.32% with embedded withholding. · 5 min read