Money and tax

Open an Israeli bank account

Every account holder must attend in person. Budget about two hours in the branch once you have an appointment.

Register with Bituach Leumi (National Insurance)

Registration is fast once you have a Teudat Zehut, and it starts the accrual clock for maternity, disability and unemployment cover.

Get an Israeli credit card

Most non-bank credit cards require about 6 months of Israeli banking history, so budget for a slow first year on a debit-linked card.

Set up Bit and Paybox

Day to day Israeli payments, splitting a bill and paying a babysitter, run through Bit and Paybox, and both need a working Israeli bank account or card to activate.

Plan a large FX transfer with source-of-funds documents ready

A one-time transfer such as a house down payment can trigger an anti-money-laundering document request from the receiving Israeli bank that most olim do not see coming.

Understand what you must report, even while exempt

The 10-year exemption on foreign income still stands. The exemption from having to report it does not, for anyone becoming resident from 1 January 2026.

File FBAR, FATCA and PFIC forms every year as an American oleh

Israeli tax exemption does not cancel your US filing duty. FBAR, FATCA and PFIC obligations run every year for as long as you hold US citizenship, regardless of what you owe.

Check your 5-year Bituach Leumi exemption as an American oleh

Americans who demonstrate active US Social Security obligations can get a 5-year exemption from National Insurance contributions from the date of aliyah. Health tax is still owed regardless.

Disclosure rules for olim from 2026

The ten-year exemption on foreign income stands, but the exemption from reporting it does not for anyone becoming resident from 1 January 2026. The two are constantly confused.

By AACI · checked 2026-07-21

Opening an Israeli bank account

What to bring, which branches run an olim desk, and how to ask for the oleh account terms rather than assuming they are applied.

By Nefesh B'Nefesh · checked 2026-07-21

Moving money and converting currency

How olim actually move savings into shekels, and why the advertised "no commission" rate is the expensive one.

By Nefesh B'Nefesh · checked 2026-07-21

Choosing an Israeli credit card

Two independent comparisons of Israeli cards, written by olim, covering the fee traps and which cards are worth asking for by name.

By Blue & White Finance, No Fryers · checked 2026-07-21

Bit and the Israeli payment apps

Bit is close to universal for person-to-person payments here. Background on what it is and why an Israeli bank account is the prerequisite.

By Wikipedia · checked 2026-07-21

US tax compliance after aliyah

American citizens keep filing US returns after moving, and foreign account reporting applies to Israeli accounts. What continues, and what to hand an accountant.

By Nefesh B'Nefesh · checked 2026-07-21

Aliyah rights and benefits, all in one place

Roughly sixteen government benefits consolidated with real figures. The single best answer to "is this financially survivable" before you have a date.

By Nefesh B'Nefesh · checked 2026-07-27

Bituach Leumi: the official olim section

Child allowances, disability, income support, pensions and long-term care, from the National Insurance Institute directly. Call *6050.

By National Insurance Institute · checked 2026-07-27

Kol Zchut: every right you have

A government-backed rights encyclopaedia with a dedicated olim section. Where a benefit exists, it is documented here even when no English guide mentions it.

By Kol Zchut · checked 2026-07-27