Kupat Holim / National Insurance Institute — Health fund registration and health insurance for new immigrants
Source: https://www.gov.il/en/pages/new-olim-rights-guide?chapterIndex=10 · 2026
Health — Rights of New Immigrants (Chapter 10)
Registration of New Immigrants with a Health Fund
New immigrants can register with whichever health fund (Kupat Holim) they choose already upon arrival, at the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration office at Ben Gurion Airport.
It is also possible to register with a health fund later, at a Post Office branch, or through the website of the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi).
It is the new immigrant’s responsibility to register with a health fund.
Following registration, one must go to the health fund in order to complete the procedure and receive a temporary membership card.
For additional information: National Insurance Institute Website — Registration for a Health Fund and Health Insurance Premiums
Exemption from Payment of Health Insurance Premiums During the First Months
Under the Law of National Health Insurance, every Israeli resident is covered by health insurance.
New olim (including returning minors and immigrant citizens) with no income, or whose income does not exceed the amount determined by the National Insurance Institute, are eligible for:
- Exemption from national health insurance payments for 12 months from their Aliyah date.
- Exemption from health insurance payments for 6 months from their Aliyah date.
Olim receiving a living allowance from the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration are eligible for an additional six months exemption from national insurance payments (12 months total from Aliyah date).
There is no need to go to National Insurance branches to extend the exemption — it will occur automatically.
For additional information: National Insurance Institute Website — Registration for a Health Fund and Health Insurance Premiums
Medical Translation for a Patient in the Health System
In accordance with the law and as described in the “Publication of the Director General of the Ministry of Health,” new immigrants have rights regarding medical translation within the Israeli health system. Contact your health fund or the Ministry of Health for details.