Israel (IL)

Start-Up Nation with world-class tech ecosystem, rich ancient history, stunning Mediterranean beaches, and a vibrant expat and immigrant community.

Capital: Jerusalem

Region: Middle East

Language: Hebrew

Currency: ILS (₪)

Cost of living: Expensive (index 72)

Emergency: 100

Healthcare in Israel

Israel operates a mandatory National Health Insurance system under the National Health Insurance Law (Chok Bituah Briut HaMemshati) of 1995. All residents must belong to one of 4 registered HMOs (Kupot Cholim). Coverage is comprehensive and funded through National Insurance (Bituah Leumi) contributions. The system is rated among the best in the world for outcomes — Israel has among the highest life expectancy globally. Supplementary (Bituah Mashlim) and private insurance extend access to faster specialist care, private rooms, and additional treatments.

Israel consistently ranks in the top 10–15 globally for healthcare quality outcomes. Life expectancy: 82.6 years (2026). Strong primary care through HMO network. World-leading in fertility treatments (IVF fully covered), oncology, and trauma care.

Public healthcare: National Health Insurance (Kupat Cholim)

HMO Health Fund

Eligibility:All Israeli residents (citizens, permanent residents, Olim from date of registration, work visa holders who are employees). Registration within 3 months of arrival/start of employment.

Monthly cost:Bundled into Bituah Leumi contributions automatically deducted from salary. Employee contribution: 3.1% of income up to NIS 7,522/month + 5% above that ceiling. Self-employed pay higher rates. Unemployed/non-working: pay reduced rates. No separate monthly HMO premium for employees.

What's included:

GP (family doctor / rofeh mishpacha) visits — unlimited
Specialist referrals (with GP approval)
Hospitalization (semi-private wards)
Surgery (including elective surgery on approved list)
Mental health: 6–15 funded therapy sessions per year, psychiatry
Maternity care: prenatal, delivery, postnatal
Children's dental (ages 0–18)
Prescribed medications (from approved formulary — Sal HaBriut)
Laboratory tests and imaging (with referral)
Physiotherapy (limited sessions)
Vaccinations (full national schedule)
Preventive care and health screenings

Not included (or co-pay required):

Adult dental (beyond emergencies) — significant gap; needs Bituah Mashlim or private
Cosmetic surgery (unless medically indicated)
Medications not on the approved formulary (Sal HaBriut)
Private hospital rooms
Most fertility treatments over age 45
Long-term residential care (some coverage through Bituah Leumi)
Vision correction surgery (LASIK)
Some experimental treatments

Co-payments:GP visits: free. Specialist visits (with referral): NIS 0–50 copayment. Emergency room: free. Prescriptions: NIS 9–31 per item (formulary drugs). Hospitalization: first day free; NIS 50–100/day thereafter (max 14 days). No copayment for maternity, children under 18, emergency care.

How to enrol:New residents: register with Bituah Leumi (National Insurance) first, then choose an HMO from the 4 options. Submit application at any HMO branch. Olim: Israeli Mission (Shaliach) at Ben Gurion Airport assists with immediate registration. Registration is completed within 24–72 hours. You may switch HMO once per year during the January transfer window.

Waiting period:None for Israeli citizens and Olim. B1 visa workers: coverage starts from first day of employment contributions.

Private healthcare: Private Health Insurance (Bituah Briut Prati)

Who can use it:Any resident; recommended for faster specialist access, private hospital rooms, and treatments outside the public formulary

When it makes sense:When you need fast specialist access (HMO waiting times can be 4–12 weeks), want a private hospital room, require treatments not covered by public system, or want choice of specialist and hospital. Also recommended during the first months when navigating the HMO system is complex.

Monthly cost:NIS 300–1,500+/month depending on age, coverage level, and insurer. Bituah Mashlim (supplementary from your HMO): NIS 100–300/month — best starting point.

Major providers:

Harel Insurance (הראל ביטוח)Menorah-Mivtachim (מנורה מבטחים)Clal Insurance (כלל ביטוח)Ayalon Insurance (איילון ביטוח)Migdal Insurance (מגדל ביטוח)

Accessing care

GP system

Register with a family doctor (Rofeh Mishpacha) at your chosen HMO branch. Appointments via HMO app, phone, or online portal. Walk-in urgent care (Tipat Chalav for children; Rif'uyat Mishpacha for adults) available at most HMO clinics. Average wait for GP appointment: 1–3 days. Same-day appointments available for urgent issues.

Specialist referral

GP referral (Havana) required for most specialist visits through HMO. Without referral, you pay full private rate. Bituah Mashlim (supplementary insurance) allows direct specialist access without referral at major private clinics. Waiting time for HMO specialist: 4–12 weeks for non-urgent. Private specialist (self-pay or Mashlim): 1–2 weeks.

Emergency care

Emergency rooms (Miklat Refu'i — חדר מיון) at all hospitals. Magen David Adom (MDA) ambulance: call 101. All emergency care is free regardless of insurance status — bill is sorted later. Major hospitals: Tel HaShomer (Sheba Medical Center), Ichilov (Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv), Hadassah (Jerusalem), Rambam (Haifa), Soroka (Beer Sheva). Private hospitals: Assuta (multiple locations), Herzliya Medical Centre.

Out of hours

Terem (טרם) urgent care clinics (not full emergency): open extended hours including Shabbat; located in major cities; no appointment needed; handles non-emergency urgent care. HMO nurse hotlines available 24/7. Magen David Adom (101) for ambulance. On Shabbat: most HMO clinics closed but Terem and emergency rooms remain open.

Prescriptions

Prescribed by your doctor via the HMO electronic system. Collect at HMO pharmacy (Bet Mirkachat — cheapest) or any licensed pharmacy. Formulary drugs: NIS 9–31 per item. Non-formulary drugs: full price. Super-Pharm and NewPharm are the main chain pharmacies (open on Shabbat in some locations).

Dental

Children 0–18: dental care covered under HMO. Adults: only emergency dental (tooth extraction) covered publicly. Dental is a significant expense for adults — budget NIS 300–600 for a checkup, NIS 800–2,500 for basic work. Bituah Mashlim and some private plans include dental. Many Israelis use dental tourism (Hungary, Poland, Romania) for major work.

Mental health

Each HMO covers 6–15 psychology/therapy sessions per year. Psychiatry consultations covered. Waiting times: 4–12 weeks for non-urgent. Bituah Mashlim extends mental health coverage. English-speaking therapists concentrated in Tel Aviv — ask your HMO or in Anglo Facebook groups. Crisis: ERAN hotline 1201 (Hebrew) or 1800-120-1240 (English).

Maternity

Prenatal care: free through HMO. Multiple ultrasounds covered. Delivery: free at hospital. Post-delivery stay: 3–5 days (semi-private). Postnatal check-ups: free at Tipat Chalav (Mother and Child Health Clinic). 15 weeks maternity pay from Bituah Leumi (if contribution requirements met). Midwife home births: not standard but possible.

Expat-specific advice

First steps on arrival:

Register with Bituah Leumi (National Insurance) within 90 days of arrival or start of employment
Choose your HMO (Kupat Cholim) from the 4 options: Clalit (largest), Maccabi (English-friendly), Meuhedet, Leumit
Register with a GP (Rofeh Mishpacha) at your local HMO clinic
Consider signing up for Bituah Mashlim (supplementary insurance) immediately — especially for faster specialist access
Download your HMO's app (Clalit App, Maccabi Care App etc.) for booking appointments and prescriptions
Transfer medical records and vaccination history to your HMO

Finding English-speaking doctors:Maccabi HMO is generally best for English-speaking services (English website, English-language app, more English-speaking doctors). Tel Aviv generally has the best English-language medical access. Ask specifically for an "English-speaking doctor" (Rofeh doveret Anglit) when registering. Many Israeli doctors trained abroad and speak excellent English.

International insurance:EHIC cards are NOT valid in Israel (Israel is not in the EU/EEA). Travel insurance (including medical) is strongly recommended for visitors. Expats on private international insurance (Cigna, Allianz, AXA) should confirm Israel-specific coverage before arrival.

Emergency card info:Always carry your HMO membership card (Kartisiyat Kupat Cholim). The card identifies your HMO and enables immediate treatment at any affiliated clinic. Emergency rooms treat everyone regardless of card; card helps with administrative process.

Pharmacies (Bet Mirkachat (בית מרקחת))

Hours:HMO pharmacies: Sun–Thu 8am–8pm, Fri 8am–1pm, closed Saturday. Super-Pharm and NewPharm chain pharmacies: extended hours; some 24/7 locations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem; some open Saturday.

After-hours / emergency:Super-Pharm operates 24/7 pharmacies in major cities (Tel Aviv Dizengoff, Jerusalem downtown). On Shabbat, emergency pharmacy (Bet Mirkachat Meshirteret) rotates — check with HMO.

Prescription rules:Electronic prescriptions (Mirkam Elektroni) now standard — doctor sends to system, you collect with ID. Paper prescriptions still valid. Controlled substances require physical prescription. HMO pharmacies only dispense their members' prescriptions for subsidised rate; private pharmacies dispense to anyone at full price.

Available over-the-counter:

Acamol (paracetamol) — Israel's brand equivalent of Panadol
Nurofen (ibuprofen)
Otrivin (nasal decongestant)
Lomexin (antifungal)
Loperamide (diarrhoea treatment)
Bisolvon (cough/mucus)
Benadorm (antihistamine/sleep aid)

Typical costs

GP visit (with insurance)	Free (HMO member)
GP visit (private pay)	NIS 350–600 (private)
Specialist visit	NIS 0–50 (HMO with referral); NIS 400–900 (private)
Emergency visit	Free (public ER) or NIS 1,000–3,000+ (private hospital ER)
MRI scan	NIS 200–500 (HMO, with referral, waiting weeks); NIS 1,200–3,500 (private, faster)
Prescription average	NIS 9–31 (formulary via HMO); NIS 50–200+ (non-formulary or private pharmacy)
Dental check-up	Free for children under 18 (HMO); NIS 300–600 adult (private)
Baby delivery	Free (public hospital); NIS 3,000–15,000 (private hospital room upgrade)

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