No More Health Insurance Payments! 8 Counties Announce Full Government Coverage for Elderly—Eligibility, Launch Dates, and Subsidies Across Taiwan

As Taiwan accelerates toward a super-aged society, the medical and long-term care burden on the elderly has become a major public concern. According to the National Health Insurance Act, NHI is a mandatory social insurance. Anyone registered as a resident in Taiwan must pay premiums—even after turning 65—if they do not receive government assistance. The current premium rate remains at 5.17%. For Category 6 insured individuals (those without employment or dependents), the monthly self-payment is fixed at NT$826 (if covered under a child’s insurance, the amount is calculated proportionally based on the child’s monthly insured salary).

To reduce the financial burden on elderly retirees, counties across Taiwan are introducing or expanding health insurance premium subsidy programs for seniors. Many regions have adopted a 'no application, no asset test' mechanism, where the government automatically cross-checks data with the NHI Administration and pays premiums directly—saving seniors up to nearly NT$10,000 annually. Below is a comprehensive overview of the latest elderly health insurance subsidy policies and implementation timelines in 14 counties across Taiwan.

2026 Nationwide Guide to Elderly Health Insurance Subsidies: Eligibility, No-Application Counties, and Reduction Amounts

### Hsinchu City: No Asset Test, No Application—Savings Up to Nearly NT$10,000 Annually

**Eligibility**: Residents of Hsinchu City aged 65 or older (including indigenous people aged 55 or older) who do not receive full subsidies from other government agencies.

**Subsidy Amount**: Up to NT$826 per person per month.

**Application Method**: No application required, no asset test. The city government will automatically register and cross-check data.

**Implementation Date**: Scheduled to officially launch in Q4 2026.

### Miaoli County: Full Waiver for Seniors Aged 80 and Above

**Eligibility**: Residents of Miaoli County aged 80 or older who are registered and actually residing in the county.

**Subsidy Amount**: Up to NT$826 per person per month.

**Application Method**: County government will automatically process via data matching.

**Implementation Date**: Pilot program begins in July 2026.

### Nantou County: Full Coverage for All Aged 65+, No Restrictions

**Eligibility**: Residents of Nantou County aged 65 or older (including indigenous people aged 55 or older).

**Subsidy Amount**: Up to NT$826 per person per month, fully funded by the county government.

**Application Method**: No application, no asset test, no need to cancel coverage. The county government will pay directly.

**Implementation Date**: Already officially implemented since April 1, 2026.

### Yunlin County: Over NT$900 Million Budgeted—Launch Expected in 2027

**Eligibility**: Residents of Yunlin County aged 65 or older (estimated 143,000 beneficiaries).

**Subsidy Amount**: Up to NT$826 per person per month.

**Application Method**: To be determined based on future announced guidelines.

**Implementation Date**: Scheduled to launch on January 1, 2027 (budget already allocated and under review).

### Chiayi City: Seniors Aged 80+ Directly Benefit

**Eligibility**: Residents of Chiayi City aged 80 or older with at least six months of registration.

**Subsidy Amount**: Up to NT$826 per person per month.

**Application Method**: No application required. The city government will handle payment directly.

**Implementation Date**: Officially implemented starting July 1, 2026.

### Pingtung County: Two-Phase Expansion with 5% Income Threshold

**Eligibility**: Phase 1: Low-to-middle-income seniors aged 65–69. Phase 2: Residents of Pingtung County aged 65 or older (including indigenous people aged 55 or older) with at least one year of registration and a comprehensive income tax rate of 5% or lower.

**Subsidy Amount**: Up to NT$826 per person per month.

**Application Method**: No application required, but subject to a 5% income threshold.

**Implementation Date**: Phase 1 launches in July 2026; Phase 2 scheduled for January 1, 2027.

### Hualien County: One-Year Residency Required for Subsidy, Automatic Registration

**Eligibility**: Residents of Hualien County aged 65 or older with at least one year of registration, or low-to-middle-income seniors aged 65–69.

**Subsidy Amount**: Up to NT$826 per person per month.

**Application Method**: No application, no need to cancel coverage. The county government will automatically register and cross-check.

**Implementation Date**: Expanded implementation starting June 1, 2026.

### Taitung County: No-Application Coverage for Seniors Aged 70+, Plus Childcare Benefits

**Eligibility**: Residents of Taitung County aged 70 or older with at least one year of registration and at least 183 days of domestic residence per year. (Additionally, children under 6 registered in Taitung also qualify for full NHI premium coverage.)

**Subsidy Amount**: The county government fully covers the NHI self-payment for both seniors and young children.

**Application Method**: No application, no asset test. The county government directly coordinates with the NHI Administration for deductions.

**Implementation Date**: Officially implemented since January 1, 2026 (childcare expansion effective July 1, 2026).

Current Elderly NHI Subsidy Policies in the Six Major Cities

### Taipei City

**Eligibility**: Residents aged 65 or older (or indigenous people aged 55 or older) registered in Taipei City for at least one year and residing domestically for at least 183 days.

**Subsidy Amount**: Up to NT$826 per person per month.

**Application Method**: No application, no asset test. The Social Welfare Department automatically cross-checks data for deductions.

**Implementation Date**: Already implemented.

### New Taipei City

**Eligibility**: Residents aged 65 or older (or indigenous people aged 55–64) registered in New Taipei City for at least one year with a comprehensive income tax rate below 5%.

**Subsidy Amount**: Full subsidy for Category 3 or 6 insured persons with a tax rate below 5% (paid directly by the Social Welfare Department to the NHI Administration). Others receive partial subsidies deposited into designated accounts.

**Application Method**: Income threshold applies. Application required.

**Implementation Date**: Already implemented.

### Taoyuan City

**Eligibility**: Residents aged 65 or older (or indigenous people aged 55 or older) registered and actually residing in Taoyuan City for at least one year, with at least 183 days of domestic residence. The taxpayer (or the person claiming the senior as a dependent) must have a comprehensive income tax rate below 20%.

**Subsidy Amount**: Up to NT$826 per person per month.

**Application Method**: Income threshold applies. No application required. The city automatically reviews.

**Implementation Date**: Already implemented.

### Taichung City

**Eligibility**: Residents aged 65 or older (or indigenous people aged 55 or older) registered in Taichung City for at least one year with a comprehensive income tax rate below 5%.

**Subsidy Amount**: Up to NT$826 per person per month.

**Application Method**: Income threshold applies. No application required.

**Implementation Date**: Already implemented.

### Tainan City

**Eligibility**: Residents aged 65 or older (or indigenous people aged 55 or older) registered in Tainan City for at least one year with a comprehensive income tax rate below 5%.

**Subsidy Amount**: Up to NT$826 per person per month.

**Application Method**: Income threshold applies. No application required.

**Implementation Date**: Already implemented.

### Kaohsiung City

**Eligibility**: Residents aged 65 or older registered in Kaohsiung City for at least one year, residing domestically for at least 183 days, with a comprehensive income tax rate below 5%.

**Subsidy Amount**: Up to NT$826 per person per month.

**Application Method**: Income threshold applies. No application required.

**Implementation Date**: Already implemented.

Important Notes and FAQs on NHI Subsidy Applications

### Claiming a Parent as a Dependent May Affect Eligibility

If a child lists a parent as a 'dependent' on their comprehensive income tax return, counties with asset tests (such as New Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung) will use the child’s tax rate as the benchmark. If the child’s tax rate exceeds the county’s threshold (e.g., 5% or 20%), the parent may lose their subsidy eligibility. It is recommended to evaluate the tax and subsidy benefits before filing.

### No Need to Cancel Insurance for Eligible Individuals

Counties with automatic payment systems—such as Nantou, Hualien, Taitung, and Hsinchu City—remind eligible residents not to cancel their insurance at district offices or the NHI Administration. The local governments will automatically register and cross-check data through the system to ensure seniors’ insurance rights remain protected.