National Insurance Institute
Who is Obligated to Pay?
New Immigrants
As of January 2023, if an oleh, including a Katin Chozer (קטין חוזר) returning minor and Ezrah Oleh (אזרח עולה), Israeli citizen born abroad, earns less than 594 NIS per month in income, they are exempt from paying Bituach Leumi Insurance during their first 12 months in Israel.
Elderly Immigrants
Elderly immigrants who make aliyah above a certain age are not eligible for a pension from Bituach Leumi unless they have no other source of income, in which case they may be eligible for a special pension.
For more specific eligibility criteria click on the following links: for Men, click here for English and here for Hebrew and for Women, click here for English and here for Hebrew.
Israelis living abroad
Temporarily:
An Israeli resident who temporarily lives abroad must continue to make monthly Bituach Leumi and Bituach Briut (ביטוח בריאות) National Health Insurance premium payments. A delay in payments while abroad could delay your eligibility to receive Kupat Cholim (קופת חולים) HMO healthcare services for up to six months upon your return. In order to avoid this, before you leave the country, you must fill out the following form and submit it to the Bituach Leumi branch nearest to your place of residence or submit it online.
Bituach Leumi usually considers you an Israeli resident for the first five years abroad. After five years you will need to prove that your residence overseas is still temporary.
Permanently
If you move permanently to another country, you have to fill out the following form 627 and attach documentation proving that you have moved your primary residence out of Israel. This needs to be submitted to the Bituach Leumi branch nearest to your place of residence or submit it online (See above) within five years of leaving Israel.
Returning Residents
As returning residents you are eligible for Bituach Leumi benefits but will be required to notify Bituach Leumi of your return by completing form 628 and attaching documentation proving that you have made Israel your main place of residence again. This can be
proof of sale of property or possessions in the country you had been residing in or cancellation of insurance coverage, ending employment etc. as well as documentation showing your official residence has returned to Israel (shipping of household possessions, rental contract, employment contract, school registration etc.) You will of course have to continue or restart to make monthly payments as well. Check here for more information about insurance payments.
To receive medical insurance coverage and services under the National Health Insurance Act, you may be required to wait a period of six months after entering Israel. Check here to determine your status. You can also pay a fee (13,740 NIS as of January 1, 2023) to cancel the waiting period. For more information click here.
Who is not required to pay Bituach Leumi? (some examples)
Housewife
A woman who is married to or the common-law wife of an insured person and who does not work outside her home and is not an Atzmai.
A person receiving a permanent 100% Kitzvat Nechut
(קצבת נכות) work disability pension.
Soldiers in Sherut Sadir
(שירות סדיר) regular military service.
An Israeli resident living in another country
An Israeli resident living in another country with whom Israel has signed a social security convention and who has paid social security in that country. They must however make Bituach Briut payments.
For more general information, click here.
How much are the premium payments?
Bituach Leumi collects insurance premiums from all residents according to their income and insurance status and classification and pays benefits to all those eligible. Fines (and interest) are levied for failing to pay the required taxes.
Salaried Worker
As a salaried worker who receives a Tlush Maskoret (תלוש משכורת) pay stub, registration with Bituach Leumi is performed automatically upon transfer of information from the employer. You can check the rates for insurance contributions.
Atzmai (עצמאי)
As an Atzmai, a self-employed worker, you need to open a file in Bituach Leumi to be able to pay your monthly contributions. You can check the rates here.
Unemployment
Bituach Leumi may provide the unemployed person with funds for a limited time during his/her unemployment. You should report to the Sherut HaTa’asuka (שירות התעסוקה) Employment Service immediately upon termination of employment, and then report on regular days as instructed by the Service.
Check here for unemployment benefits.