Recent news about the changes to South Korea’s medical beauty tax refund policy in 2026 caught many friends who planned to visit Korea during the New Year off guard. To compensate for this policy change, The First, a well-known dermatology clinic located in Busan, South Korea, quickly responded with a thoughtful “two-person discount” campaign, offering direct price reductions—perfectly filling the gap left by the cancellation of tax refunds.
Today, we will delve into this policy change and how The First is taking practical actions to ensure that people can still enjoy high-quality Korean medical beauty services in 2026.
I. Saying Goodbye to Tax Refunds: Changes in South Korea’s Medical Beauty Policy in 2026
Over the past few years, South Korea has implemented a value-added tax refund system for foreign patients to attract overseas tourists. Many people visiting Korea for the first time often ask: “What percentage of the cost for medical beauty treatments in South Korea is refundable?”
Typically, medical beauty services in South Korea include a 10% value-added tax (VAT). During the tax refund period, after deducting the fees charged by the service provider, foreign tourists received approximately 5% to 8% in refunds (depending on the amount of the refund and the fee structure). Although going through the process at the airport, scanning passports, and sometimes facing customs inspections could be cumbersome, the potential for significant savings—ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of won—made these refunds very attractive.
However, with the new tax refund policy in effect in 2026, this “national benefit” seems to be coming to an end. Many hospitals and clinics are facing increased prices, while consumers are worried about exceeding their budgets. In this context, various institutions are seeking new ways to retain their appeal to international customers. Some offer free face masks or samples, but these cannot fully compensate for the loss of tax refunds.
Just as people started to complain that medical beauty treatments in South Korea had become more expensive, The First Dermatology Clinic in Busan came up with a creative solution: direct price discounts instead of complicated tax refund procedures.
II. The First’s Approach: A 7% Discount on Entire Treatment Courses—More Direct than Tax Refunds
In response to the cancellation of the tax refund policy, The First Dermatology Clinic in Busan (The First All That Your Skin Needs) promptly recognized the impact this would have on customers. Since the government no longer provided these refunds, the clinic decided to pass on this savings directly to consumers by offering a 7% discount on all treatment courses.
According to the latest promotional poster released by The First, they have introduced a special offer: **“For groups of two or more, a 7% discount on the total cost of the treatment”**.
1. Why is it 7%?
This percentage is carefully chosen. As mentioned earlier, although the VAT rate is 10%, after deducting various fees, the actual tax refund amount received by tourists usually ranges between 5% and 8%. The 7% discount set by The First precisely matches this original refund amount. This means that, even if you won’t receive a tax refund at the airport in 2026, the moment you pay at The First, you are already enjoying the same benefit—or even more, since you avoid the additional fees.
2. Save money and worry less
Anyone who has experienced airport tax refunds knows how troublesome it can be: you need to go to the airport in advance, find the KIOSK machines, keep all the receipts, and even worry about not being able to get a refund if some documents are lost. The First’s initiative turns this “post-event tax refund” process into a “pre-event discount”.
- No need to queue: the discount is applied directly at checkout.
- No need to fill out forms: save yourself the hassle of scanning passports and organizing documents.
- No fees: The 7% discount is a direct reduction, with no middlemen taking a cut.
III. Details of the offer: More than just saving money, it’s also about the joy of traveling with friends
Let’s take a closer look at this warm and inviting poster. The rules for The First’s offer are designed to be very user-friendly, with extremely low entry barriers and genuine sincerity.
Core rule: When two people go together, the fun doubles.
The main requirement for this activity is very simple: “Two people (or more) going together.” This means you can simply invite a friend, family member, partner, or even someone from the internet to form a group and meet the requirement. The slogan on the poster is very appealing: “Come with friends or family; it’s less stressful and more enjoyable.”
Getting cosmetic treatments, especially when doing so in a foreign country, can inevitably cause some anxiety. The First encourages people to go in groups—not just to enjoy discounts but also to support and encourage each other throughout the process. When you’re getting an anesthetic, someone can keep you company; when you look in the mirror after the treatment, someone can share your excitement right away. The emotional value of this is immeasurable.
Key highlights:
- 7% discount on the entire treatment course: Note that it’s the “entire treatment course” that counts. Whether you’re getting basic skin care or high-cost anti-aging treatments like facelifts or hyaluronic acid injections, as long as the treatment is done on the same day, you’ll get the discount. For expensive treatments, 7% can be a significant savings—for example, a 2-million-won treatment would cost you 140,000 won less, enough for several luxurious seafood meals in Busan.
- But it allows for flexibility depending on different treatments and needs: That’s what’s really great about it! Many group purchase promotions require both people to have the same treatment, but The First doesn’t impose such restrictions.
You want to try Thermage for anti-agi
- ng? No problem.
Your friend just wants b - asic blackhead removal and whitening treatments? That’s also fine.
As long a - s both of you come to the clinic on the same day, even if you choose completely different treatments, you’ll each get a 7% discount on the total cost. This greatly increases the flexibility of teaming up.
- ng? No problem.
- Just come to the clinic together on the same day: There’s no need for complicated appointment scheduling. As long as both of your appointments are on the same day, you can enter the clinic and immediately enjoy the discount.
IV. Why choose Busan The First?
Aside from the discounts offered to accommodate changes in South Korea’s medical tourism tax policies in 2026, choosing Busan The First is simply a wise decision.
- Professional evaluation, safety first: It is clearly stated at the bottom of the poster: “The actual treatment plan will still be determined by The First’s dermatologists.” This reflects the high standards of medical care. While discounts are attractive, the treatment that suits you best is what matters most. The First insists on face-to-face consultations and rejects blind, standardized sales approaches.
- Geographical Advantages of Busan: Compared to the congestion and fast pace of Seoul, Busan, as a coastal city, is more suitable for the “medical beauty + vacation” experience. After receiving skin treatments, you can enjoy the sea breeze at Haeundae and have a cup of coffee in Gwangan-ri—this relaxation will greatly benefit your skin recovery.
- Transparent Prices and Excellent Service: The First has always been known for its transparent pricing and high-quality service. This time, they are offering a clear 7% discount—no clever wording or fake price increases followed by discounts. This is the greatest respect they can show to their international customers.
V. Recommendations for Visitors Going to Korea for Medical Beauty Treatments in 2026
Since the tax refund policy for medical beauty treatments in Korea has changed in 2026, our tips also need to be updated accordingly:
- Lock in Discounts in Advance: Hospitals like The First, which clearly offer compensation for the tax refund loss, are the top choices. Before traveling, make sure to confirm through official channels (WeChat, KakaoTalk, or the website) whether the promotion is still ongoing.
- Find a Companion for Medical Beauty Treatments: Since traveling in pairs is required to get the 7% discount, if you are going alone, consider finding someone on social media (such as REDnote or Weibo) who is also planning to visit Busan around the same time. You can meet up at the hospital lobby for a consultation together—this way, you can save money and make new friends.
- Calculate the Costs Carefully: Although the tax refund has been abolished, promotions like The First’s direct discount offer actually p
- rovide better value than the previous system.
Old System: Pay 100% → Get approximately 7% tax refund at the
- airport → Actual cost: 93%.
New System at The First: Pay 9 - 3% directly.
The result is the same, but you’ll have less financial pressure and a simpler process.
- rovide better value than the previous system.
Conclusion
In 2026, although the tax refund policy for medical beauty treatments in Korea has changed, it doesn’t mean that the cost of pursuing beauty will necessarily increase. The skin clinic The First in Busan has perfectly addressed this change with its “2-person group discount of 7%” strategy.
This is not just a commercial promotion; it also shows great consideration for international customers. It demonstrates that no matter how policies change, as long as you find the right hospital and the right offer, the path to beauty can still be easy, affordable, and enjoyable.
If you also plan to embark on a beauty journey to Korea in 2026, why not invite your best friend and include Busan The First in your itinerary? After all, what could be more enjoyable than getting prettier together while saving money too?
(Note: Please refer to the official hospital guidelines for details and eligibility. Discounts cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions.)
For more information on hospitals offering tax refund benefits, visit: https://beautsgo.cceeo.com/news/korea-medical-tourism-tax-refund/
