As of July 2025, South Korea’s foreign population has reached an all-time high of 2.73 million. Korea has become a popular destination for foreign nationals staying there for numerous purposes, including education, employment, or tourism.
Wondering how to rent an apartment in Korea as a foreigner, but don’t know where to begin? We are here to help. Keep reading to know everything about successfully renting in Korea.
Familiarize Yourself With Korean Rental Terms
The first step is understanding common Korean rental terms. This will help you make sense of rental advertisements, allowing you to proceed with confidence. Here are some common terms you should know:
Budongsan - a real estate agency. This is your main point of contact for renting an apartment in Korea (more on this later).
Pyeong - a traditional Korean unit of measurement. It is equivalent to about 3.3 square meters.
Cheungsu - floor number in Korea
Jeonse - a unique and extremely popular Korean rental system. In a Jeonse rental system, you pay about 50-80% of the annual rent as a lump sum.
Wolsae - a rental system where you make small monthly deposits in the form of rent.
Gwanlibi - this is the maintenance fee you’ll be charged for shared services like security and elevator maintenance.
Reach Out to Real Estate Agencies
The next step is reaching out to real estate agencies. They have access to numerous listings, helping you find an apartment that suits your needs. A reliable real estate agent will explain the features of numerous apartment types, including:
- One-bedroom apartment or studio apartment
- Multi-room apartment
- Serviced apartment
- Officetels
Do share your space needs and living preferences with your real estate agent. For instance, students and single professionals often opt for studio apartments because they are compact and cost-efficient. On the flip side, families opt for multi-room apartments for comfortable living.
You can find real estate agencies directly through the Internet or leverage expat communities to find appropriate rentals.
Prepare the Necessary Documents
This is where things get a little hectic. As a foreign national, you will need to submit additional documents to rent an apartment in Korea. You typically need the following:
- Proof of legal residency. This could be your Alien Registration Card (ARC) or a valid visa in your passport.
- Proof of employment. This could be a letter from your employer or a copy of your job contract.
- Recent bank statements, especially if you’re opting for the Jeonse rental system.
- A scanned copy of your valid passport.
- Student ID or enrollment verification, if you’re renting as a student.
Carefully Read the Lease
Once you’ve found your ideal apartment, submit your documents and wait for the real estate agency or the landlord to get back to you.
Once you and the landlord agree on the terms, you'll sign a rental contract. This is also known as a lease. Read all the tenant responsibilities and regulations mentioned in the lease.
Lastly, pay the deposit to secure your tenancy.
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