Gangnam
Dr. Yoon-Gon Ryu
Aesthetic Medicine Specialist
Flagship clinic · KOL for leading lifting & regenerative devices · Featured in Authority Magazine (2026)
As of 1 January 2026, the 10% VAT refund for foreign cosmetic-procedure patients ended, so this guide explains what still qualifies and 5 signals that mark a good Gangnam clinic.
Foreign patients used to reclaim about 10% VAT on eligible cosmetic aesthetic treatments in Korea, but that refund ended on 1 January 2026. General goods purchases still qualify for tax-free shopping. When choosing a skin clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, prioritise doctor-led consultations, transparent pricing, English support, and honest expectations over refund claims.
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For years, foreign visitors could reclaim roughly 10% Value Added Tax (VAT) on eligible cosmetic aesthetic procedures performed at registered Korean clinics, typically recovering around 1,000,000 to 200,000 won per procedure. That medical VAT refund scheme was a meaningful draw for international patients and, in 2024 alone, related refunds reached a record 95.5 billion won nationwide. However, the government scrapped this cosmetic-procedure VAT refund effective 1 January 2026, so treatments paid for from that date onward are no longer eligible.
This is an honest but important distinction: cosmetic procedures such as lifting, lasers, and injectables are generally NOT VAT-refundable anymore. What still qualifies is ordinary tax-free shopping on goods, where foreign visitors can claim VAT back on qualifying retail purchases above a minimum amount when they leave Korea within the required window. If you received a Medical Service Sales Certificate in 2025, transitional rules may still let you claim until March 2026, provided you departed Korea within three months of payment.
Because the refund is no longer part of the equation for aesthetic care, choosing the right clinic matters more than ever. At Reberry Clinic, our Gangnam (Seoul) location provides consultation-led treatment plans with full English support, so international patients understand exactly what they are paying for and why, without relying on a refund that no longer applies.
Gangnam is one of the densest aesthetic districts in the world, so choosing well comes down to a few objective signals rather than the loudest marketing. First, look for a doctor-led consultation: a qualified doctor should assess your skin, explain your options, and set realistic expectations before any device touches your face. Second, prioritise transparent, itemised pricing explained in a language you understand; because the VAT refund ended in 2026, the headline cost is now the real cost, so clarity matters. Third, confirm genuine English (or your language) support end-to-end, from booking to aftercare, so nothing is lost in translation. Fourth, favour clinics that treat with proper, well-maintained devices and match the modality to your concern rather than upselling a single machine for everything. Finally, a good clinic gives honest timelines and aftercare, not promises of flawless outcomes. Reberry Clinic’s Gangnam location, led by Dr. Yoongon Ryu, is roughly two minutes from Gangnam Station exit 10, and every plan is built around these principles so international patients can make an informed decision.
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From 1 January 2026, the roughly 10% VAT refund on cosmetic aesthetic procedures ended, so factor the full treatment cost into your budget.
Tax-free shopping still applies to qualifying retail goods above a minimum spend, but from 2026 no aesthetic procedures are VAT-refundable anymore.
If you were issued a Medical Service Sales Certificate in 2025, you may claim until March 2026 if you left Korea within 3 months of payment.
Assess doctor-led consultation, transparent pricing, English support, proper devices, and honest timelines before booking any 1 treatment.
A single consultation confirms your individualised plan and the full total cost in English, so there are no surprises on the 1 day of treatment.
See representative outcomes from Reberry Clinic. Results build gradually and vary by individual; your plan is assessed at consultation.
The clinic’s doctors assess your skin in English, recommend suitable options, and explain the full cost now that the procedure VAT refund no longer applies.
Once your plan is agreed, treatment proceeds; most non-invasive skin sessions take roughly 20 to 60 minutes depending on the modalities involved.
Many skin plans run as a short course, so total cost is mapped across the sessions rather than framed as a single fixed figure.
Depending on the modality, results build over weeks to a few months, and your doctor reviews progress to adjust the plan as needed.
Good aftercare and periodic maintenance protect your investment, which matters more now that no refund offsets the cost.
No. The roughly 10% VAT refund on cosmetic aesthetic procedures ended on 1 January 2026, so treatments paid for from that date are not VAT-refundable. Ordinary tax-free shopping on qualifying goods still applies. Plan your budget around the full treatment cost when you book a skin care plan.
Before 2026, eligible foreign patients typically reclaimed around 10% VAT, roughly 1,000,000 to 200,000 won per procedure depending on the treatment. Nationally, related refunds reached a record 95.5 billion won in 2024, which shows how large the scheme was before it was scrapped for cosmetic procedures.
Possibly. If you were issued a Medical Service Sales Certificate in 2025, transitional rules may let you claim your VAT refund until March 2026, provided you left Korea within three months of the procedure or payment. Keep all documents and check with the issuing clinic, as this window is time-limited and applies only to 2025 certificates.
Ordinary tax-free shopping on qualifying retail goods above a minimum spend is still available; you claim the VAT back on departure at the airport or a refund kiosk within the required window. Aesthetic procedures, however, are generally no longer VAT-refundable from 2026, so goods and treatments are treated differently.
Choose on five signals: a doctor-led consultation, transparent itemised pricing, genuine English support, well-maintained devices matched to your concern, and honest results timelines. With no procedure refund since 2026, these merit-based factors matter more than any discount. Start by reviewing our skin care approach.
Our Gangnam (Seoul) location, led by Dr. Yoongon Ryu, is roughly two minutes from Gangnam Station exit 10 in Seoul. It offers consultation-led skin treatments with full English support for international patients, and it is one of Reberry Clinic’s Seoul-area locations alongside Myeongdong and Incheon Airport.
Not necessarily. The refund was a small percentage of the total, so value now depends on the plan you receive rather than a rebate. A clinic that matches the right modality to your concern and avoids unnecessary sessions can deliver better value than a cheaper, less tailored plan that once carried a refund.
Book a consultation, which can begin remotely in English before you arrive. The clinic’s doctors review your concern, outline suitable options, and explain the full cost with no refund assumptions. You can start by exploring our laser treatment and other options, then confirm specifics with the team.
Prices vary by clinic and by the modalities involved more than by district alone. Gangnam has a high concentration of clinics and strong competition, so transparent, itemised quotes matter. Rather than assume an area is cheaper or dearer, compare specific plans and what each includes, and ask the doctor to explain the cost drivers.
Be cautious of promises that sound too perfect, pressure to book many sessions immediately, unclear pricing, or claims that a single visit fixes everything. A trustworthy clinic sets realistic expectations, explains risks, and lets you decide. Honest timelines and a doctor-led plan are stronger signals than aggressive marketing or steep, time-pressured discounts.
No. At our Gangnam location, international patients are supported in English from booking through aftercare, so you do not need Korean. Confirm language support before booking anywhere, since clear communication about your concern, expectations, and aftercare is essential to a safe, satisfying outcome and helps avoid misunderstandings.
Non-invasive options such as lasers, radiofrequency tightening, and hydrating facials are popular because downtime is limited. The right choice depends on your concern, skin type, and schedule. A consultation matches the modality to you; you can review our broader skin care menu to see the range before deciding.
For a first non-invasive session, 2 to 3 days is comfortable, allowing a consultation, the procedure, and a short review. Some plans run as a course, so many international patients begin in Seoul and continue across return visits. Our English-speaking team helps coordinate timing around your travel and departure.
For most non-invasive skin treatments, flying within a day or so is generally fine. Cabin air is drying, so moisturise and protect treated skin from sun. If you had a more intensive procedure, your doctor will give specific aftercare for travel; always confirm your individual guidance at consultation before booking flights.
Often yes. Some modalities pair well within a single visit, while others are best spaced apart. Combining is decided at consultation based on your skin and schedule. Exploring options such as Hydrafacial alongside other care can help you plan an efficient trip without over-stressing the skin.
International patients can complete a plan across one or more visits, and the clinic offers remote check-ins in English between trips so care stays on track. Your treatment notes are kept on file for continuity. You can also continue supportive skin care at home between sessions.
There is no confirmed plan to reinstate the cosmetic-procedure VAT refund that ended in 2026, so it is safest to budget as if it will not return. If policy changes, clinics will update guidance accordingly. For now, plan your treatment on its clinical merits and total cost rather than expecting a future rebate.
| Tax-Free Shopping (Goods) | Medical VAT Refund (Procedures) | Choosing a Clinic on Merit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Qualifying retail goods above a minimum spend | Formerly cosmetic aesthetic procedures | The quality and safety of your care |
| Current status (2026) | Still available for eligible goods | Ended for procedures paid from 1 Jan 2026 | Always the most reliable basis to decide |
| Who benefits | Foreign visitors buying goods | Previously foreign cosmetic patients | Any patient wanting a good outcome |
| How you claim | At the airport or refund kiosk on departure | Formerly via clinic certificate before departure | By comparing consultation, pricing, and support |
| What to check | Minimum spend and departure window | 2025 transitional claims until March 2026 only | Doctor-led plan, transparency, English support |
| Cost impact | Small saving on goods, not treatment | No longer reduces treatment cost | Best value comes from the right plan, not a refund |
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