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Settling in

Settling in Seoul (and Songdo)

Seoul is a very organised city, but the first weeks call for method: the residence card unlocks almost everything, from your bank account to your phone. Here are the steps, the neighbourhoods where French families live, and what to know if you settle in Songdo, which is not a Seoul district but a new city in Incheon.

Verified on 6 November 2026

Arrival and first steps

To live in Korea, every family member arrives on a long-stay visa, applied for in France through the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC). Once there, the residence card opens every door.

Good to know

  • Without a visa, stays under 90 days are only for tourism or visits. Long-stay visas are applied for at the KVAC in Paris, and every holder must then register with the immigration office of their city of residence. Source
  • Any foreigner staying more than 90 days must register and obtain a residence card (often called the ARC). Appointments are booked on the HiKorea portal; the card is issued once you have an address. The immigration information line answers on 1345, including in English. Source
  • Once you have your residence card, you can open a bank account and take out a mobile phone plan: it unlocks everything else. Source
  • To enrol a child at the Lycée français de Séoul or the Lycée international Xavier, a valid resident visa is required: no enrolment on a tourist visa, even for a short time. Source
  • Registering with the register of French nationals abroad is free, valid for 5 years and strongly recommended for stays over six months. It is done online on Service-Public.fr and lets the consulate reach you in an emergency. Source
  • First weeks, in order: immigration appointment and residence card, bank account, phone, consular registration, then sort out health insurance before the six-month mark. Source

Addresses

  • Ambassade de France en Corée, section consulaire

    Consulate

    43-12 Seosomun-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Séoul 03741

    ID required at the entrance; suitcases and large bags refused, phones left in lockers. Depending on the procedure, the consular section receives with or without appointment.

    Website Source

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Housing: neighbourhoods and renting

Choosing a neighbourhood often follows choosing a school. Most Lycée français families live around the school, in Seorae Maeul; international families also gather around Hannam-dong, Itaewon and Yongsan.

Good to know

  • Seorae Maeul, in Seocho-gu, is Seoul's French quarter: shops, restaurants and activities are within walking or cycling distance, and children meet after school in the playgrounds and the big Montmartre Park. Source
  • Itaewon, Yongsan and Hannam-dong bring together international communities; Hongdae is more of a student area, near several universities. Source
  • There are two ways to rent. Jeonse: a very large deposit paid for a one or two-year lease, with no monthly rent, returned in full at the end. Wolse: a smaller deposit, often 10 to 20 times the monthly rent, plus a monthly rent. In both cases, 10% of the deposit is paid on signing. Source
  • Choose your estate agent carefully, and have the property register checked before signing: your residence card and passport are needed to consult it. Source
  • Le Petit Echotier, Séoul Accueil's magazine, keeps a practical file with rental information and estate agent contacts for its members. Source

Addresses

  • Seorae Maeul

    Neighbourhood

    Seocho-gu, Séoul

    The Lycée français neighbourhood, home to most of its families.

    Source

  • Hannam-dong, Itaewon et Yongsan

    Neighbourhood

    Yongsan-gu, Séoul

    International neighbourhoods north of the Han River; the French-speaking Catholic parish is in Hannam-dong.

    Source

  • Songdo (Incheon)

    Neighbourhood

    Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon

    New city in the Incheon Free Economic Zone, about 50 km from central Seoul: see the Songdo section below.

    Source

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Living in Songdo, Incheon

Songdo is not a Seoul district: it is a new city in Incheon, built on reclaimed land, inside the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ). It lies about 50 km from central Seoul, roughly an hour away, and in the same free zone as Incheon International Airport. There is no French school in Songdo.

Good to know

  • Songdo (Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu district) is one of IFEZ's three international cities, alongside Yeongjong, home to the airport, and Cheongna. The zone authority says the metropolitan region's main hubs are 60 to 90 minutes away. Source
  • The Incheon subway connects to Seoul's network: transfers with Seoul Line 1 at Bupyeong, Line 7 at Bupyeong-gu Office, the Suin Line at Woninjae and the airport train (AREX) at Gyeyang. Express buses also link Incheon to Seoul Station and Gangnam. Source
  • The Lycée français de Séoul is in Seorae Maeul, in Seoul. Its website mentions no school bus to Songdo, and there is no AEFE-accredited school in Incheon: for French schooling from Songdo, plan for the daily commute to Seoul, or consider CNED distance learning, which requires embassy approval. Source
  • Two foreign educational institutions are approved in Incheon, both in Songdo: Chadwick International (pre-K to grade 12, IB programmes) and Calvin Manitoba International School (Canadian Manitoba curriculum). Cheongna Dalton School, listed by IFEZ, is in Cheongna, on the other side of Incheon. Source
  • The IFEZ Global Center also lists the foreign universities based in the zone, such as George Mason University Korea, SUNY Korea, Ghent University Global Campus and the University of Utah. Source
  • The IFEZ Global Center, run by the zone authority, welcomes foreign residents: advice on paperwork, immigration, education, housing, plus Korean classes. Source
  • For healthcare, the IFEZ Global Center points to Gachon University Gil Medical Center and Nasaret International Hospital, in Yeonsu-gu; the French embassy also lists Inha University Hospital and two St. Mary's hospitals in Incheon. Details on our Health page. Source

Addresses

  • IFEZ Global Center

    1F G-Tower, 175 Art center-daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon

    Welcome centre for the free zone's foreign residents, open on weekdays.

    Website Source

  • Chadwick International

    Songdo, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon

    English-language international school, pre-K to grade 12, IB programmes.

    Website Source

  • Calvin Manitoba International School

    Songdo, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon

    Approved foreign educational institution, Canadian Manitoba curriculum, taught in English.

    Source

  • Songdo Central Park

    Park

    160 Convensia-daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon

    The country's first seawater park, in the heart of Songdo.

    Source

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Phone and insurance

A Korean number is needed everywhere, from the bank to delivery apps; it requires the residence card. For health, insurance needs sorting before six months of residence.

Good to know

  • The three main mobile operators are SK Telecom, KT and LG U+. A plan requires the residence card or a residence certificate, and is paid from your own bank account or credit card; prepaid SIMs, with no contract, help at first. Source
  • Any foreigner who has lived in Korea for more than six months is automatically enrolled in the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), which offers the same benefits as for Korean citizens. Contributions depend on income and assets and are paid monthly. Source
  • If you are a posted worker, a CFE member or covered by private insurance valid in Korea, you must apply each year for an exemption from NHIS enrolment, yourself or through your employer depending on the case; otherwise enrolment is automatic. Source
  • The embassy strongly recommends supplementary insurance on top of the Korean scheme, especially for hospital stays; the French state does not cover healthcare costs abroad. Source

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Banking and money

Opening an account in Korea is done in a branch, with specific documents. Without proof of the account's purpose (an employment contract, for example), the bank opens a capped account, whose limit can be lifted later.

Good to know

  • With the residence card, the bank asks for ID (residence card, passport) and proof of the account's purpose, such as an employment certificate or contract. Before the card, opening an account is still possible with your passport and proof of address in Korea. Source
  • If a document is missing, the account opened is 'restricted', with daily withdrawal and transfer caps; these are lifted as soon as you prove the account's purpose. Several banks have branches with English-speaking advice in Seoul and foreigner-only hotlines. Source
  • Banks can issue a debit card linked to the account; credit cards depend on each issuer's criteria, and applications may be refused. Source
  • Day to day, the T-money card pays for the metro, buses, taxis and even convenience-store purchases; payment apps such as Kakao Pay fill the gaps. Source
  • Lycée français fees are paid by bank transfer to the account shown on the invoice, specific to each payer; payment in three instalments can be requested from the finance office. Source
  • Keep at least one account in France and tell your bank before you leave: it switches to non-resident status, and some products such as the LEP savings account must be closed. Ask about its conditions for non-residents. Source

Addresses

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Getting set up

IKEA has four stores around Seoul, including one inside the city in Gangdong; Costco, E-mart and Homeplus cover the rest, and second-hand goes through the Karrot app and the 'Seorae Petites Annonces' KakaoTalk group.

Addresses

  • IKEA Gangdong

    Furniture and home

    51 Godeokbizvalley-ro, Gangdong-gu, Séoul 05203

    The IKEA store inside Seoul, in the east of the city.

    Website Source

  • IKEA Gwangmyeong

    Furniture and home

    17 Iljik-ro, Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do 14352

    South-west of Seoul, with a Småland children's area.

    Website Source

  • IKEA Goyang

    Furniture and home

    420 Gwonyul-daero, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do 10551

    North-west of Seoul, with a Småland children's area.

    Website Source

  • IKEA Giheung

    Furniture and home

    62 Singomae-ro, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17086

    South of Seoul, with a Småland children's area.

    Website Source

  • Costco Yangjae

    Supermarket

    159 Yangjae-daero, Seocho-gu, Séoul 06772

    In Seocho-gu, like Seorae Maeul.

    Website Source

  • Costco Songdo

    Supermarket

    60 Convensia-daero 230beon-gil, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22009

    In Songdo, in Yeonsu-gu.

    Website Source

  • E-mart

    Supermarket

    Large Korean hypermarket chain.

    Website Source

  • Homeplus

    Supermarket

    Korean hypermarket chain.

    Website Source

  • Starfield COEX Mall

    Shopping mall

    513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Séoul

    Website Source

  • Lotte Himart

    Appliances

    Korean appliance and electronics chain.

    Website Source

  • Karrot (당근)

    Second-hand

    Neighbour-to-neighbour classifieds: furniture, appliances, children's items.

    Website Source

  • Groupe KakaoTalk « Seorae Petites Annonces »

    Second-hand

    The Seorae French-speaking community's classifieds group, by invitation.

    Source

Getting around with children

Metro, buses and taxis are paid with the same T-money card, in Seoul and Incheon alike. Toddlers travel free, and Incheon Airport is linked directly to central Seoul by train.

Good to know

  • On the Seoul metro, children under 6 travel free, up to three per accompanying adult; children and teenagers then pay a reduced fare. Source
  • On Incheon buses, children under 6 with a parent ride free; the child fare applies from 6 to 12, the student fare from 13 to 18. Source
  • A single T-money card, bought in a convenience store, pays for the metro, buses, taxis and small purchases; it also exists on your phone with the Mobile T-money app. Source
  • The airport train (AREX) links Incheon Airport to Seoul Station: about 51 minutes by direct express, 66 minutes by the all-stops train, which also serves Hongik University and Gongdeok. Source
  • The Seoul metro has equipped nursing rooms (changing table, armchair) in some stations, including Children's Grand Park. Source
  • A resident staying more than a year can exchange a French driving licence for a Korean one at a driving licence test centre. Source

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Paperwork: consulate, grants and schooling

The French embassy in Seoul covers all of South Korea. For families, the key topics are civil status, school grants and, where there is no French school, CNED distance learning.

Good to know

  • School grants are for French children at a school accredited by the AEFE or the Mission laïque française, subject to means. The AEFE pays the amount directly to the school, which deducts it from the fees; applications are reviewed each year. Source
  • Two grant rounds are usually held each year, in September and January. While awaiting the decision, the Lycée français asks families to pay the fees in monthly instalments. Source
  • Any CNED enrolment from Korea must be approved by the French embassy; it is not automatic and is reserved for children living legally and long-term in the country. Source
  • The France Consulaire service answers by phone or internet call Monday to Friday, 7:00 to 14:00 Paris time; outside these hours, an on-call officer handles genuine emergencies only. Source
  • The embassy publishes a list of French-Korean translators, useful for translating a family record book or birth certificate required by health insurance. Source

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A place has closed, something has changed? Tell us: the mums of Seoul will thank you.

Sources for this page

The public pages these landmarks come from. The official website always prevails.

  1. 1 Ambassade de France en Corée
  2. 2 Séoul Accueil, informations utiles
  3. 3 Lycée français de Séoul
  4. 4 Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZ)
  5. 5 Ville d'Incheon, Living in Incheon
  6. 6 KOTRA, ouvrir un compte bancaire
  7. 7 National Health Insurance Service
  8. 8 Seoul Metro

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