Guides for New Immigrants to Israel
Practical answers on Bituach Leumi, Kupat Holim, Misrad Hapnim, housing, employment, and taxes — drawn from the same knowledge base that powers the Olim AI chatbot.
Bituach Leumi (National Insurance)
- Bituach Leumi — Child Benefits (Kitzvat Yeladim, Chisachon L'chol Yeled)
How to apply for kitzvat yeladim child stipend from Bituach Leumi? What documents are needed for form BL5025 kitzvat yeladim application? What is the…
- Bituach Leumi — D'mei Leidah (Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave)
How to apply for d'mei leidah paid maternity leave from Bituach Leumi? What is the eligibility for maternity leave benefits in Israel? Can a father take…
- Bituach Leumi — National and health insurance contribution rates for self-employed persons
What are the Bituach Leumi (National Insurance) contribution rates for self-employed persons in Israel? How much health insurance and national insurance…
- Bituach Leumi — Registration for Olim and Visa Holders
How do I register for Bituach Leumi as a new immigrant in Israel? What documents do I need to register with the National Insurance Institute after making…
- Bituach Leumi (NII) — Welfare Benefits: Alimony (Dmei Mezonot), Assured Income (Havtachat Hachnasa), and Senior Citizen Pension (Kitzbat Zikna)
How do I apply for child support or alimony (dmei mezonot) through Bituach Leumi if my spouse does not pay? What are the eligibility conditions for…
- National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi) — Premiums, Exemptions, and Maternity Insurance for New Immigrants
How long am I exempt from paying Bituach Leumi and health insurance premiums as a new immigrant? Can I get an extra 6 months of NII premium exemption if I…
- National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi) — Rights of Ill Persons, Disability, and Injury Benefits
What discounts does Bituach Leumi offer to people with disabilities or chronic illness in Israel? What are my rights at the National Insurance Institute…
- National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi) — Special Old-Age Pension, Unemployment Allowance, and Disability Benefits for New Immigrants
Am I eligible for the special old-age pension (kitzba meyuhedet) as a new immigrant from the FSU, Ethiopia, or Eastern Europe, and how is it paid? How to…
- National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi) — Welfare Services and Allowances for New Immigrants
What welfare services and allowances are available to new immigrants through Bituach Leumi? Am I eligible for assured income (havtachat hachnasa)…
- National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi) — Work Disability Benefit after Work Injury
What is the work disability benefit (pension or grant) from Bituach Leumi after a work injury? How do I apply for work disability benefit if I remained…
Employment
- Israel Tax Authority — How to Register as Osek Patur or Osek Murshe (Sole Proprietorship)
How to register as a self-employed person (atzmai) in Israel? What is the difference between Osek Patur and Osek Murshe? What documents are needed to…
- Israel Tax Authority — Osek Patur vs Osek Murshe: choosing the right VAT status for a new business
How to choose between osek patur and osek murshe when opening a small business in Israel? What is the 2026 revenue ceiling for osek patur and what happens…
- Israeli Labor Law — Mandatory Pension Contributions for Foreign Employees and Olim
What are the mandatory pension contribution rates in Israel for foreign workers and olim chadashim? How does the Section 14 severance arrangement work for…
- Israeli Tax Authority — Freelancer tax compliance options in Israel (sole proprietor vs. EOR)
How to register as a freelancer (atzmai) in Israel and what are the differences between Osek Patur and Osek Murshe? What documents and forms are needed…
- Israeli Tax Authority — Self-employment registration: Osek Patur and Osek Murshe
How to register as self-employed in Israel as a new immigrant? What is the difference between Osek Patur and Osek Murshe? What are the VAT thresholds and…
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Center for Integration in Science: support for immigrant scientists and research student scholarships
What grants are available for immigrant scientists working in Israel? How to apply for salary participation grants as a new immigrant researcher in…
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Employment, Retraining, and Assured Income for New Immigrants
What financial assistance is available for new immigrants looking for work after the Absorption Basket ends? How to get retraining or refresher courses as…
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Student Authority assistance for immigrant students in higher education
What financial assistance does the Student Authority provide for new immigrants studying at Israeli universities? Am I eligible for tuition support as a…
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Ulpan Hebrew Study, Voucher Program, and School Registration
How long after aliyah am I eligible for free ulpan Hebrew classes in Israel? What is the ulpan voucher program and how do I use it for private Hebrew…
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration / Ministry of Health / Ministry of Economy and Industry — Professional Licensing (Rishayon) for Regulated Professions for Olim
How do I get my foreign professional license recognized in Israel as a new immigrant? Does the Ministry of Aliyah cover the cost of licensing exam…
- Ministry of Education — Evaluation of Foreign Academic Degrees
How to get a foreign academic degree or diploma recognized in Israel. Which office evaluates overseas degrees for salary purposes and job tenders, what…
General & First Steps
- AACI — Converting a foreign driver's license to an Israeli license (general process — road test required)
How to convert a foreign driver's license in Israel if you don't qualify for immediate conversion? What documents are needed for olim, returning…
- AACI — Converting a foreign driver's license to an Israeli license (immediate conversion for olim)
How to convert a foreign driver's license to an Israeli license without a test? What documents are needed for immediate conversion at Misrad HaRishui for…
- Israel Licensing Authority — Driver's License in Israel
How to get an Israeli driver's license as a new immigrant? What are the vehicle categories for a driver's license in Israel? How to convert a foreign…
- Israeli Banks — Opening a Bank Account as a New Oleh
How to open a bank account in Israel after making Aliyah? What documents are needed to open an Israeli bank account as a new Oleh, including Teudat Oleh…
- Israeli Rabbinate (Rabbanut) — Registering for Marriage in Israel
How to register for marriage with the Israeli Rabbinate (Rabbanut)? What documents are needed to open a marriage file (tik nissuin) at the local religious…
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Airport absorption procedures at Ben Gurion Airport
What to do at Ben Gurion Airport upon arrival as a new immigrant (oleh)? What documents should a new oleh carry in hand luggage for registration at the…
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Birth registration and hospital procedures in Israel
How to register at a hospital for birth in Israel? What documents are needed for hospital registration during pregnancy, including te'udat zehut and…
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — First Steps and Airport Absorption Process
What happens at Ben Gurion Airport when I arrive as a new immigrant (oleh)? What documents do I need to bring to the Mitcham HaKlita airport absorption…
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — First Steps: Free Transport, Bank Account Opening, and Personal Absorption Counselor
How do I open a bank account in Israel as a new oleh after arriving at Ben Gurion Airport? How do I register my bank details with Misrad Haklita to…
- Ministry of Transport — Foreign driver's license in Israel: using, converting, and validity periods
How long can a new immigrant or tourist drive in Israel with a foreign driver's license? How do I convert a foreign driver's license to an Israeli…
- Multiple Institutions — New Immigrant Initial Arrangements Checklist
What is the complete checklist of first steps after making aliyah to Israel? What must I do immediately after receiving my teudat oleh — ID card, health…
- משרד הרישוי — Converting a Foreign Driver's License to an Israeli Driver's License
How to convert a foreign driver's license to an Israeli driver's license? What documents are needed for converting a foreign license at the Israeli…
Housing & Renting
- Israel Rental Law — Tenant and Landlord Rights, Rent, Deposits, and Eviction
How to understand tenant rights in Israel as a new immigrant? What are the rules for security deposits and eviction in Israeli rental agreements? What…
- Israel Rental Market — Rent control laws and tenant protections
Are there rent control laws in Israel? What does the Fair Rental Contract Law 2017 protect tenants from? Can a landlord raise the rent during an active…
- Israel Rental Market — Rental prices by city and apartment size
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Israel? What are typical rental prices in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, and Be'er Sheva? How are Israeli…
- Israeli Rental Market — Understanding rental contracts and red flags to avoid
What should be included in an Israeli rental contract? What are red flags to watch out for when renting an apartment in Israel? How to protect tenant…
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Renting and Purchasing an Apartment in Israel
Guide for new immigrants in Israel on housing options, covering apartment rental (contracts, legal advice, guarantors, security deposits) and apartment…
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration / Ministry of Construction and Housing — Public Housing, Government Mortgage (Mashkanta), and Apartment Purchase Assistance for New Immigrants
Covers eligibility for public housing via Amidar/Milgam/Alonim-MAGAR, Te'udat Zakaut (eligibility certificate) for Hasar Dira (non-apartment ownership)…
- Ministry of Construction and Housing / Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Government Housing Assistance for New Immigrants (Rental, Public Housing, Eligibility Certificate)
Covers Absorption Basket housing payments (months 1–7), automatic rental assistance from Ministry of Construction and Housing (months 8–60), income-tested…
Kupat Holim (Health Care)
- EMA Care — Continuing medications when making Aliyah to Israel
How to continue prescription medications after making Aliyah to Israel? How to transfer a foreign prescription into the Israeli medical system? What to…
- Kupat Cholim — What is covered in the basic health insurance package (sal briut) for new immigrants
What is included in the Kupat Cholim basic health basket (sal briut) for new Olim in Israel? How do I access healthcare through Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet…
- Kupat Holim — Emergency Services, Child Development Services, and Ministry of Health Call Centers
What do I do in a medical emergency in Israel — where is the nearest urgent care clinic (Terem) and how does it work? Does my Kupat Holim cover ambulance…
- Kupat Holim — National Health Insurance Law & Health Fund Registration for New Immigrants
How to register for a Kupat Holim health fund as a new immigrant in Israel. What health services are covered under the National Health Insurance Law (Sal…
- Kupat Holim / National Insurance Institute — Health fund registration and health insurance for new immigrants
How to register with a Kupat Holim (health fund) as a new immigrant in Israel? What is the waiting period or exemption from health insurance premiums for…
- Ministry of Health — Vaccines and Immunization in Israel
What is the vaccination schedule for babies and children in Israel? How to find and make an appointment at a Tipat Halav (Family Care Center) clinic? What…
- National Health Insurance (NHI) — Overview and eligibility for expats and new immigrants in Israel
What is the National Health Insurance law in Israel and who is eligible? How does eligibility for Kupat Holim work for new immigrants and expats? What is…
- National Insurance Institute / Kupat Holim — Health insurance registration for new immigrants
How to register for a health fund (Kupat Holim) as a new immigrant in Israel? What is the deadline to register for health insurance after Aliyah? Where…
- Tel Aviv Doctor — Prescriptions and prescription refills for tourists and expats in Israel
How to get a prescription or prescription refill in Israel as a new immigrant or tourist? Are foreign prescriptions valid in Israeli pharmacies? How to…
Miscellaneous
- Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Authority — Consumer Rights for New Immigrants
What are my consumer rights in Israel as a new immigrant? How to cancel a purchase or transaction in Israel — rules for in-store and online transactions…
- Garin Tzabar (Tzofim Scouts) — Lone Soldier Aliyah Enlistment Program
What is the Garin Tzabar program for lone soldiers making aliyah? How does Garin Tzabar support new immigrants during IDF service with housing and…
- IDF — Who Can Join the IDF: Service Requirements, Exemptions, and Options for New Immigrants
Who is eligible for IDF military service after making Aliyah? What are the IDF service requirements for new immigrants (Olim) by age and marital status?…
- IDF (Israel Defense Forces) — Length of military service for Olim (men and women)
How long do new immigrants (Olim) have to serve in the IDF? What is the length of IDF service based on age of arrival for Olim men and women? How does…
- IDF & National Service — Military and National Service Options for New Immigrants
What is the Immigrant Reserves track for new olim who served in a foreign army? How do I get compensated for reserve duty (miluim) as a new immigrant in…
- Immigrant Support Organizations & Emergency Services — English-Speaking Immigrant Organizations, Government Contact Centers, and Emergency Numbers
Covers the Government Central Support Center (1299), the Digital Program for National Rights (mybenefits.gov.il), and the Government Services and…
- Israel Labor Ministry — End of state-subsidized daycare for yeshiva student families
How do I get a daycare subsidy in Israel for my child under age three? Who is eligible for state-subsidized daycare (mispar) in Israel — what are the…
- Israeli Government Ministries & Public Bodies — Contact Directory for New Immigrants
Phone numbers and contact details for key Israeli government bodies. How to contact Kupat Holim health funds (Maccabi, Meuhedet, Leumit), housing…
- Israeli School System — School Registration for Olim (Preschool, Elementary, and High School)
How to register a child for school in Israel after Aliyah? What documents are needed for school registration at the Machleket HaChinuch? What are the fees…
- Ministry of Education — Education rights and assistance for new immigrant pupils
What special support does my child get in Israeli school as a new immigrant? Is my family eligible for a study grant (ma'anak limudim) from Bituach Leumi?…
- Ministry of Social Equality — Benefits for Senior Citizens
Senior Citizen Card (Te'udat Ezrach Vatik) issued under the Senior Citizens Law 1989-5750, granting discounts on public transportation, Arnona tax…
- Nativ (National Center for Identity and Conversion) — Official State Conversion Process (Giyur)
How do I convert to Judaism through the official Israeli state conversion (giyur) process? What is Nativ and how long does the state conversion program…
- State Comptroller's Office — Public Complaints Against Government Bodies
How to file a complaint against a government office, local council, or public institution in Israel. Where and how to submit a complaint to the State…
Misrad Haklita (Ministry of Aliyah and Integration)
- Customs Authority — Period of Eligibility Extensions, Returning Residents, and Customs Concessions
Can I extend my customs concession period if I serve in the IDF after aliyah? What customs benefits do returning residents (toshav chozer) get compared to…
- Financial Assistance — Complete List of Benefits from the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration
What is the complete list of financial benefits available from Misrad Haklita for new immigrants in Israel? How do housing assistance, ulpan subsidies…
- Israel Customs Authority — Customs Concessions for New Immigrants
What household goods can I import to Israel tax-free as a new immigrant? Can I import a car to Israel duty-free with oleh rights, and what is the partial…
- Israeli Municipalities — Arnona (Reduced Municipal Tax) for Olim
How to get an Arnona discount as a new Oleh in Israel? What documents are needed to apply for the Arnona municipal tax reduction for Olim? What is the…
- Kef International — Importing a car to Israel as an Oleh or returning resident
How to import a car to Israel as a new immigrant (Oleh Chadash)? What are the tax benefits and customs concessions for Olim importing a vehicle? What are…
- Ministry of Aliyah & Integration — Eligibility categories for children of new immigrants, immigrant minors, returning minors, and immigrant families
What benefits does a child of new immigrants (ben oleh) receive? How to qualify as a returning minor (katin hozer) and what assistance they are eligible…
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Absorption Basket (Sal Klita) 2025: amounts, eligibility, and payment conditions
Who is eligible for the Absorption Basket (Sal Klita) in Israel in 2025? How are Sal Klita payments made and for how long? What are the conditions for…
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Absorption Basket payments and eligibility
What is the Absorption Basket (sal klita) and how much money do new immigrants receive? How many payments are in the Absorption Basket and what are the…
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Assistance and Benefits for New Immigrants (Olim)
How to calculate eligibility for financial support as a new immigrant in Israel? How to access the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration personal account for…
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Contact Directory: National, Regional, and Partner Offices
What is the phone number for the Misrad Haklita (Ministry of Aliyah and Integration) national call center? Where are the regional absorption offices of…
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Financial Assistance and Social Services for New Immigrants
Assured living allowance (havtachat kiyum) for "dependent" (nitmachim) new immigrants; eligibility categories including single-parent families…
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Immigrant Citizen and Returning Citizen Status & Eligibility
Am I eligible for Sal Klita if I came to Israel on a Masa program or shnat sherut before making aliyah? What is the difference between ezrach oleh…
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Introduction and Overview of Absorption Services for New Immigrants
What is a new immigrant entitled to when they make aliyah? Overview of the Absorption Basket (Sal Klita) payments, Bituach Leumi allowances, and how to…
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Public Inquiries, Complaints, and Freedom of Information
How to file a complaint against the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration (Misrad Haklita). How to request documents or information from the Ministry under…
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Purchase Tax Discount for Olim
What is the purchase tax discount for new immigrants (Olim) buying an apartment in Israel? How to apply for the partial purchase tax exemption using Form…
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Status change to Oleh, period of eligibility, and eligibility extension
How do I change my tourist or temporary visa status to oleh hadash in Israel? What is the eligibility period for absorption benefits and how does it get…
- Misrad HaKlita — Overview of benefits and concessions for new immigrants (repatriants)
What benefits are available to new immigrants (olim) in Israel? What льготы (concessions) does a repatriant receive upon aliyah? How to find out about all…
- National Insurance Institute & Ministry of Aliyah — Financial Assistance During Initial Absorption
What financial benefits am I entitled to from Bituach Leumi and Misrad Haklita as a new immigrant? Am I eligible for an arnona (municipal tax) discount as…
Misrad Hapnim (Population and Immigration Authority)
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Returning Residents (Toshav Hozer): Eligibility, First Steps, and Benefits
Returning Resident (Toshav Hozer) definition, eligibility conditions, and registration form at gov.il; benefits after 2 years abroad (Assured Income…
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Returning Residents: Health Insurance Waiting Period & Israel Houses Project
How can a returning resident avoid the health insurance waiting period in Israel? Can I pay the NII health insurance fee before returning to Israel to get…
- Misrad Hapnim — Issuing an Identity Card (Teudat Zehut) for New Immigrants
Guide for new immigrants in Israel on how to obtain a permanent identity card (Teudat Zehut), including the temporary card issued at Ben Gurion Airport…
- Misrad Hapnim — Ministry of Interior Overview
What is Misrad Hapnim and what services does it provide to new immigrants? How to contact the Israeli Ministry of Interior? What departments and…
- Misrad HaPnim (Ministry of Interior Israel) — Overview, responsibilities and population authority
What is Misrad HaPnim and what does it do for new immigrants in Israel? How to contact the Ministry of Interior (Misrad HaPnim) for ID card (Teudat Zehut)…
- Population and Immigration Authority — Israeli citizenship under section 4A of the Law of Return
How to apply for Israeli citizenship under section 4A of the Law of Return? What documents are needed for the Notification of Interest in Receiving…
- Population and Immigration Authority — Naturalization application for permanent residents married to Israeli citizens
How to apply for Israeli citizenship as a permanent resident married to an Israeli citizen? What documents are needed for naturalization via form AZ21 at…
- Population and Immigration Authority (Misrad Hapnim) — Branch Locations and Contact Information
How to find the nearest Population and Immigration Authority (Misrad Hapnim / Reshut HaOchlusin) branch in Israel? What are the hours of operation for…
Sochnut (Jewish Agency)
- Jewish Agency — Absorption programs for young adult immigrants (Ulpan, residential, IDF, high-tech)
What absorption programs does the Jewish Agency offer for young adult olim aged 18-35? How to join Ulpan Etzion, Beit Brodetsky, or Kibbutz Ulpan as a new…
- Jewish Agency — Aliyah process and steps for candidates
How to start the Aliyah process with the Jewish Agency? What documents are needed to open an Aliyah file (carpeta de Aliá)? What are the steps to make…
- Jewish Agency — Aliyah Services Overview: Pre-Aliyah and Post-Aliyah Support Programs
How to get pre-Aliyah information and support from the Jewish Agency? What services does the Jewish Agency provide for new immigrants after Aliyah? How to…
- Jewish Agency — How to Apply for Aliyah (Process, Steps, and Documents)
How to open an Aliyah file with the Jewish Agency? What documents are needed to apply for Aliyah under the Law of Return? How long does the Aliyah process…
Taxes
- IRS / Israel Tax Authority — US-Israel Income Tax Treaty Overview and Savings Clause
What are the benefits of the US-Israel tax treaty for American immigrants in Israel? How does the savings clause in Article 6 paragraph 3 affect US…
- IRS / Israel Tax Authority — US-Israel Treaty Withholding Tax Rates on Dividends, Interest, and Royalties
What are the withholding tax rates under the US-Israel tax treaty for dividends, interest, and royalties? How much tax is withheld on Israeli-source…
- Israel Tax Authority — Income Tax Concessions for New Immigrants
What income tax benefits do new immigrants get in Israel during the first year (Shnat Histaglut)? How do I apply for the Acclimation Year tax benefit…
- Israel Tax Authority — New disclosure and reporting rules for Olim and returning residents effective January 1, 2026
What are the new reporting obligations for new immigrants (Olim) making Aliyah after January 1, 2026? How does the repeal of the reporting exemption in…
- Israeli Tax Authority — 10-Year Tax Exemption and Reporting Obligations for Olim
What are the tax benefits for new immigrants in Israel? How to register with the Israeli Tax Authority as an oleh? What foreign income must be reported…
- Israeli Tax Authority — Income tax rates and filing requirements for individuals in Israel
What are the individual income tax rates in Israel for 2025? How and when do individuals file an Israeli tax return? What are the tax rates on capital…
- Israeli Tax Authority — Israeli-Source Income Tax Exemption for Olim (2025–2030 Temporary Benefit)
What is the 0% tax exemption on Israeli-source income for new olim who arrived after November 2025? What are the caps and conditions for the…
- Israeli Tax Authority — LLC (Limited Liability Company) taxation in Israel
What taxes does an LLC (limited liability company) pay in Israel? What is the corporate tax rate in Israel? How are dividends and capital gains taxed for…
- Israeli Tax Authority — Tax credit points for new olim (Oleh Chadash) and other individuals
What tax credit points (נקודות זיכוי) are new immigrants (olim chadashim) entitled to in Israel? How long do olim receive income tax credits after making…
- Israeli Tax Authority — Tax residency rules and fiscal residency determination for new immigrants
How is Israeli tax residency determined for new immigrants? What is the 'center of life' test and the 'days test' for Israeli tax purposes? What is Form…
- Philip Stein & Associates — U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty Overview and Double Taxation Protection
What is the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty and how does it protect against double taxation? How does the U.S. tax citizens living in Israel on worldwide income?…
- Philip Stein & Associates — U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty: Pensions and Retirement Accounts (IRA, 401k)
Are U.S. pensions and IRA or 401k withdrawals taxable in Israel for new olim? What is the 10-year pension tax exemption for new immigrants in Israel? How…
- Philip Stein & Associates — U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty: Social Security and Bituach Leumi
Do new immigrants (olim) making aliyah have to pay both Bituach Leumi and U.S. self-employment tax? Are U.S. Social Security benefits taxable in Israel?…