Ministry of Aliyah and Integration — Renting and Purchasing an Apartment in Israel

Source: Israeli Government Guide for New Immigrants · 2026-05

Renting an Apartment Apartments for rent are generally partially furnished. They are often advertised in the press, online, and on local neighborhood notice boards. Sometimes apartments for rent are offered by an agent. In most cases, rental contracts are usually for one year at a time, sometimes with the option of an extension. It is recommended to consult with a lawyer, who can represent you in the negotiation with the owner of the apartment and in preparing the rental contract. Services of a lawyer are for a fee. If the contract is in Hebrew, it is recommended to ask the lawyer to translate it into your own language, so you understand exactly what you are committing yourself to. It is not advisable to sign documents if their contents are not completely clear to you. It is possible to receive legal advice for free or for a token fee from the Ministry of Justice or from various non-profit organizations. The list of these organizations appears on the website of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. Sometimes the owner of the apartment may ask for guarantors, a security bill, or a security check.

Purchasing an Apartment One can purchase a new apartment in various stages of construction, or even while it is still in the planning stage, from a construction company or it is possible to purchase a “second-hand” apartment from the owner. Apartments for sale can be found online, in the press, or through agents. Purchasing an apartment is a major financial investment. The majority of buyers, both new immigrants and veteran Israelis, receive government assistance for the purchase of an apartment. Loans are also available from the banks and from construction companies. New immigrants enjoy preferential terms for government mortgages. It is important to use the services of a lawyer when buying an apartment. The responsibility of the lawyer is to enquire about the legal status of the real estate you are planning to purchase (where exactly the property is registered, whether it is not mortgaged or under a court order, etc.( and make sure the property is registered under your name. Later the lawyer will draft the contract in order that your interests are not harmed. On the website of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration there is an example of a contract for purchasing an apartment in Hebrew: https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/generalpage/olim_benefits_ purchasing_appartment/he/BuyingSellingapartment.pdf