Makir.co.il The directory of Israel

Aliyah guide

The essential steps to settle well in Israel, summarised for you, with the official links and professionals who speak your language.

For information only. These summaries are written by Makir to point you in the right direction; rules change and only the official website is authoritative. Links checked on 03.11.2026.

01

Before aliyah and first steps

Your aliyah file is handled by the Jewish Agency. On arrival you receive your teudat oleh (immigrant booklet); next come your ID card (teudat zehut) and your rights.

Good to know

  • Book an appointment with the Population Authority (Misrad HaPnim, call *3450) for your teudat zehut and Israeli passport.
  • The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration pays the absorption basket (sal klita) and assigns you an advisor: visit your regional office in the first weeks.
  • Before leaving, have your civil records, diplomas and driving licence translated and apostilled.
  • Register with your country’s consulate in Israel.

Official and useful links

Find a professional who speaks your language

Lawyer Notary Translations

02

Health

Every resident of Israel joins a health fund (kupat holim). The basic basket of care is the same everywhere; doctors, clinics and supplementary plans differ.

Good to know

  • Join one of the four health funds as soon as possible: at a branch, online or at the post office.
  • Compare supplementary plans (bituach mashlim): dental, alternative medicine, second opinion…
  • Health contributions are collected by Bituach Leumi; new immigrants without income are often exempt at first, depending on their situation.
  • The French-language guide Santé Israël and Yad Sarah (medical equipment loans) are valuable resources.

Official and useful links

Find a professional who speaks your language

General practitioner Dentist Pharmacy Psychologist Optician

03

Housing

Renting before buying lets you get to know the neighbourhoods. A lease (chozeh) usually runs for a year, and landlords ask for guarantees.

Good to know

  • Plan for guarantees: deposit cheques, guarantors or a bank guarantee.
  • Have the lease reviewed, ideally by a lawyer who speaks your language, before signing.
  • Put arnona (municipal tax), water and electricity in your name. New immigrants can get an arnona discount: ask at the city hall.
  • When buying, a lawyer is essential; olim get special terms on purchase tax (mas rechisha).

Official and useful links

Find a professional who speaks your language

Real estate agency Lawyer Moving services Electrician Plumbing Locksmith

04

Work and ulpan

Ulpan (intensive Hebrew course) is free for new immigrants for a limited period. It is the best gateway to employment.

Good to know

  • Sign up for ulpan through the Ministry of Aliyah; evening classes exist for those who work.
  • Get your diplomas recognised and, for regulated professions (health, law, accounting…), apply for your Israeli licence.
  • The Employment Service and the ministry’s employment advisors help with job hunting; grants exist for starting a business.
  • Self-employed? Open your file (osek patur or osek murshe) with income tax, VAT and Bituach Leumi.

Official and useful links

Find a professional who speaks your language

Language school Accountant Translations

05

Money, banking, taxes, Bituach Leumi

An Israeli bank account is required to receive the absorption basket and your salary. Bituach Leumi (national insurance) handles contributions, health and benefits.

Good to know

  • Open your account with your teudat oleh; compare account fees, which are often negotiable.
  • Check your Bituach Leumi registration: child allowance, unemployment and pension depend on it.
  • New immigrants have tax benefits (tax credit points, rules on foreign income): review them with an accountant.
  • Look at the tax treaty between Israel and your home country to avoid double taxation.

Official and useful links

Find a professional who speaks your language

Accountant Financial advisor Bank Broker Lawyer

06

Transport

Buses, trains and light rail work with the Rav-Kav card or a payment app. Most cities have no public transport on Shabbat.

Good to know

  • Get a personal Rav-Kav to benefit from reduced fares (students, seniors…).
  • Moovit plans routes in real time, in many languages.
  • A foreign licence can be converted to an Israeli one during your first years, under conditions: start early.
  • Buying a car? Have a garage inspect it before signing.

Official and useful links

Find a professional who speaks your language

Driving school Garage Taxi

07

Education and children

Daycare, kindergarten (gan) and school registration goes through the city hall, based on your address. School is free and compulsory from age 3.

Good to know

  • Register your children at the city hall as soon as you have an address; registration dates are set every year.
  • New immigrant pupils get extra Hebrew support hours: ask the school.
  • Choose between state schools (mamlachti), state religious schools (mamlachti dati) and independent networks.
  • Higher education: the Student Authority of the Ministry of Aliyah can fund part of your studies.

Official and useful links

Find a professional who speaks your language

Daycare Language school Psychologist

08

Emergencies and safety

Learn these numbers on arrival and locate the shelter closest to your home (mamad, miklat or protected stairwell).

Good to know

  • Install the Home Front Command app to receive alerts for your area.
  • 106 reaches your city hall’s call centre (outages, roads, neighbourhood issues).
  • Keep an emergency kit: water, torch, charger, medication, copies of your documents.

Official and useful links

Find a professional who speaks your language

Pharmacy Locksmith General practitioner

09

French-speaking communities and associations

Associations help French speakers free of charge with paperwork, jobs and social life. Don’t hesitate to reach out.

Good to know

  • Qualita brings together associations of French-speaking olim: drop-in hours, workshops, job support.
  • City halls in strongly French-speaking cities (Netanya, Ashdod, Jerusalem, Ra’anana…) often have an olim welcome desk.
  • Nefesh B’Nefesh mainly supports English speakers but publishes useful guides.

Official and useful links

Where French speakers settle

Discover the professionals, shops and services of your future city.

Netanya Jerusalem Tel Aviv-Yafo Ashdod Raanana Herzliya Haifa Eilat

A project for your move?

Moving, renovation, lawyer, accountant: describe your need once and request a quote from several pros in your city.

Request a quote