How to Pay Utility Bills in Korea – Electricity, Gas, Water & More for Foreigners
A Complete Guide for Expats Living in Korea
If you're living in Korea, you'll quickly realize that monthly utility bills are part of everyday life—just like anywhere else. From electricity and water to gas and building maintenance, there are several types of bills to stay on top of. But don’t worry! Once you understand how the system works, it becomes super easy.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how utility bills work in Korea and the different ways you can pay them—especially useful if you’re a foreigner who may not be fluent in Korean yet.
What Types of Utility Bills Should You Expect?
Here are the most common utility-related bills you’ll encounter in Korea:
- Electricity bill (KEPCO – Korea Electric Power Corporation)
- Water bill (Regional water services)
- Gas bill (Typically city gas – 지역 도시가스)
- Internet/mobile/TV bills (KT, SK, LG, etc.)
- Maintenance fee (apartment/office-tel building fee managed by the property office)
⚠️ Note: Some maintenance fees already include water or heating. Always check your bill details!
How Will You Receive Your Bills?
Bills in Korea are typically sent out monthly and you can receive them in one or more of the following ways:
- Paper bill: Mailed to your home
- Text message (SMS): Sent to your mobile phone
- Email: Some companies offer email notifications
- App notifications: From service providers like KEPCO, Seoul Gas, or payment apps like KakaoPay
If the utility is still under your landlord’s name, they may forward the bill to you—or you may need to pay them directly.
How to Pay Your Utility Bills in Korea
There are several convenient payment methods for paying your bills:
1) Pay at a Convenience Store
This is one of the easiest ways, especially for those not fluent in Korean.
- Bring your paper bill with a barcode to any convenience store (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, etc.)
- Show it to the cashier
- You can pay using cash or credit/debit card
2) Pay via ATM or at the Bank
If you prefer using a bank:
- Go to any ATM or bank branch
- Choose the “Pay Utility Bills” option (공과금 납부)
- Input the payment code or customer number from the bill
- Insert your card or cash and complete the transaction
3) Pay Through Mobile or Internet Banking
Most Korean bank apps (like KB, Shinhan, Woori, Hana, etc.) allow you to pay utility bills.
Steps:
- Open the banking app
- Look for "공과금" (Utility Bill Payment) in the menu
- Enter the bill number (납부번호)
- Confirm and pay
4) Set Up Auto-Payment
Want to avoid missing deadlines?
- Register for auto-payment via the utility company’s website or your bank
- Most services accept foreigner ARC numbers and Korean bank accounts
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: The bill is in Korean. How can I understand it?
🅰 Use apps like Papago to take a photo and translate the content. You can also contact the customer service hotline printed on the bill and request English assistance.
Q: Can foreigners apply for automatic payment?
🅰 Yes! As long as you have a Korean bank account and Alien Registration Card (ARC), you can set it up.
Q: I received a bill that doesn’t belong to me. What should I do?
🅰 It may be a leftover bill from a previous tenant. Contact the building management or the utility company to clarify.
Summary Table
| Bill Type | Payment Methods |
| Electricity | KEPCO app / ATM / Convenience store |
| Water | Local government offices or bank transfer |
| Gas | Mobile banking / Store / Online payment |
| Maintenance | Direct transfer to the management office |
Pro Tips
- Always change utility account ownership when moving in.
- If you're sharing the apartment with friends, agree on how to split the bills fairly.
- Apps like KakaoPay, NaverPay, and Toss also support utility bill payments in English-friendly formats.
Adjusting to Life in Korea—One Bill at a Time
Getting used to Korea’s utility payment system may take a month or two, but once you do, it’ll feel totally manageable.
If you have any questions or need help understanding your specific bill, feel free to leave a comment below!