Guide to Open an Israeli Bank Account for a Foreign Citizen
What is a bank? |
Note! The banks in Israel have toughened conditions for foreign citizens who want to open a bank account and have designated only a limited number of branches where foreign citizens are allowed to manage their account. Before opening an account, we advise you to ascertain the designated branch closest to your place of residence. If you encounter unreasonable and unjust difficulty when opening your bank account, contact the Department of Public Inquiries - Banking Supervision Department, Bank of Israel at the address: POB 780 Jerusalem 9100701.
The bank's stringent
Please note: Since the policy of the banks in Israel is to open an account for any Israeli citizen who presents an identity card (not a passport), an Israeli citizen who has returned from abroad can renew his identity card at one of the Interior Ministry Population and Immigration Authority offices. The Interior Ministry will not independently cancel his residency or refuse to give him an identity card.
List of branches of banks intended for foreign residents: |
Bank Hapoalim:
Fax |
Phone |
Address |
Branch number |
Branch name |
Region |
03-5239929 |
03-5206233 |
205 Dizengoff Street, Tel Aviv - Yafo. 6311504 |
602 |
The North |
Tel Aviv |
02-6207100 |
02-6207167 |
1 Zion Square, Jerusalem. 91023 |
783 |
Zion Square |
Jerusalem |
03-6700655 |
03-6752662 |
32 Bialik Street, Ramat Gan. 5245136 |
613 |
Ramat Gan |
Center |
08-8561183 |
08-8514158 |
9 Shavei Zion, Ashdod. 773502 |
658 |
Ashdod |
South |
09-8339808 |
09-8602023 |
11 Independence Square, Netanya. 4227128 |
749 |
HaYam |
Sharon |
08-6282763 |
08-6292249 |
17 Yitzhak Reger, Beer Sheva. 8489510 |
668 |
HaNesi’im |
Negev |
08-6375198 |
08-6361202 |
3 Hativat Hanegev, Eilat. 88000 |
644 |
Eilat |
Negev |
04-8671018 |
04-8612050 |
18 Hanevi'im Street, Haifa. 3350121 |
700 |
Haifa |
Haifa |
Fax |
Phone |
Address |
Branch number |
Branch name |
Region |
077-8083616 |
03-9545522 |
43 Allenby, Tel Aviv-Jaffa. 6332517 |
803 |
Bialik |
Tel Aviv |
077-8083616 |
03-9545522 |
22 King George Street, Jerusalem. 9426203 |
902 |
King George |
Jerusalem |
Fax |
Phone |
Address |
Branch number |
Branch name |
Region |
02-6240433 |
076-8040010 |
12 Ben Yehuda, Jerusalem, 9462206 |
401 |
Ben Yehuda |
Jerusalem |
08-6375864 |
076-8040700 |
1 Sderot HaTmarim, Eilat. 8801401 |
470 |
Eilat |
South |
08-6651879 |
076-8041440 |
130 JNF, Beer Sheva. 8420187 |
464 |
KKL-JNF |
South |
03-6168607 |
076-9040300 |
1 Tarfon, Bnei Brak. 5141901 |
430 |
Business Center |
Dan |
03-5278623 |
076-8040210 |
71 Even Gvirol, Tel Aviv-Jaffa. 6416202 |
421 |
Gan Ha’Ir |
Center |
03-5603350 |
076-8040610 |
105 Allenby, Tel Aviv - Jaffa. 6513444 |
461 |
Business Center |
Center |
03-7549254 |
076-8040660 |
1 Jabotinsky Diamond Exchange, Ramat Gan. 5252001 |
466 |
Business Center |
Center |
04-8622012 |
076-8040440 |
11 Palyam Street, Haifa 3309502 |
444 |
Business Center |
North |
09-8321853 |
076-8040220 |
4 Smilansky Street, Netanya. 4243202 |
422 |
Business Center |
Sharon |
09-7401517 |
09-7615222 |
96 Ahuza, Ra'anana. 4345001 |
423 |
Ra'anana |
Sharon |
Remarks:
* It should be noted that there are additional branches for foreign residents in the IPB private banking sector.
* As an exception, the Bar Ilan University branch enables the opening of accounts for academic staff from abroad and for students from abroad who came to study or work at the university.
* It will also be possible to open accounts for foreign residents in the Jerusalem Old City branch by bankers who will be trained in the Ben Yehuda branch and with their approval.
The International Bank:
Fax |
Phone |
Address |
Branch number |
Region |
03-5134022 |
09-8300200 |
5 Herzl, Natanya 4240003 |
22 |
Sharon |
09-7720400 |
03-5645845 |
35 Maskit, Herzliya. 4673329 |
274 |
Sharon |
03-9609200 |
09-9609200 |
35 Maskit, Herzliya. 4673329 |
51 |
Sharon |
09-7722162 |
09-7708210 |
34 Jerusalem, Beit Gamla, Ra'anana. 4350108 |
280 |
Sharon |
03-5134012 |
02-6756888 |
10 Hillel, Jerusalem. 9458110 |
12 |
Jerusalem |
02-5611014 |
02-5600200 |
32 Keren Hayesod Street, Jerusalem. 9214912 |
288 |
Jerusalem |
03-5134033 |
08-8687200 |
1 Menachem Begin Blvd. City Mall, Ashdod 7764101 |
33 |
South |
03-5134046 |
03-5196111 |
42 Rothschild Avenue, Tel Aviv - Yafo. 6688310 |
46 |
Center |
03-5645234 |
03-5645222 |
38 Rothschild Boulevard, Tel Aviv - Yafo. 6688307 |
287 |
Center |
03-5134093 |
03-6946200 |
32 Weizmann, Beit Lessin, Tel Aviv - Jaffa. 6209105 |
93 |
Center |
03-5134044 |
03-5110200 |
1 Allenby Street, Tel Aviv - Yafo |
44 |
Center |
03-5134009 |
04-8350200 |
1 Elhanan, Haifa. 345203 |
9 |
South |
03-5134092 |
09-7752200 |
124 Ahuza, Ra'anana. 4345020 |
92 |
Sharon |
03-5134003 |
08-6365200 |
11 Sderot HaTmarim, Eilat. 8801409 |
3 |
Negev |
Remarks:
* Foreign corporations only can use branches number 126 and 6.
* Foreign corporations are not permitted to open an account in branches 9, 92, and 3.
Poalei Agudat Israel Bank:
Fax |
Phone |
Address |
Branch number |
Branch name |
Region |
03-5134158 |
02-5011200 |
Amos 12 Geula neighborhood, Jerusalem. 9550616 |
185 |
Jerusalem |
Jerusalem |
03-5134186 |
08-5134186 |
8 Dov Gur, Rova 6, Ashdod. 7753535 |
186 |
Ashdod |
South |
03-5134175 |
02-5959200 |
16 Shamgar Street, Jerusalem. 9446116 |
175 |
Rav Shefa |
Jerusalem |
03-5134179 |
02-9906400 |
48 Nahal Kishon, Beit Shemesh. 9909959 |
179 |
Ramat Bet Shemesh |
Beit Shemesh |
03-5134188 |
03-6174200 |
4 Ya'akov Landau, Bnei Brak. 5155025 |
188 |
Bnei Brak |
Center |
Remarks:
A foreign corporation is not permitted to open an account in any of the branches.
Bank Ozar haHayal:
Fax |
Phone |
Address |
Branch number |
Branch name |
Region |
03-7175362 |
04-8813200 |
HaHaroshet - Hutzot Hamifratz Compound, Haifa |
362 |
Haifa Bay |
North |
03-7175357 |
03-7556111 |
11 Menachem Begin Street, Ramat Gan. 5268104 |
357 |
Branch Center |
Center |
03-7175369 |
02-6217222 |
10 Hillel, Jerusalem. 9458110 |
369 |
Jerusalem |
Jerusalem |
03-7175363 |
08-6299444 |
9 Ben Tsvi, Beer Sheva. 8489327 |
363 |
Be'er Sheva |
South |
Bank Massad:
Fax |
Phone |
Address |
Branch number |
Branch name |
Region |
03-7170503 |
03-5641411 |
38 Rothschild Blvd., Tel Aviv - Yaffo |
503 |
Center |
Tel Aviv |
03-7170527 |
04-8685200 |
111 Ben Yehuda, Haifa. 3350208 |
527 |
South |
Haifa |
03-7170516 |
08-8621200 |
7 Habonim, Ashdod. 7744406 |
516 |
South |
Ashdod |
Bank Discount:
Fax |
Phone |
Address |
Branch number |
Branch name |
Region |
04-9927547 |
04-9959333 |
29 Sderot HaGa'aton, Nahariya. 2244025 |
97 |
Nahariya |
North |
04-8670102 |
04-8617584 |
16 Herzl, Haifa. 3312103 |
106 |
Beit Hakronot |
Haifa |
02-6246089 |
02-5677444 |
5 Keren Hayesod Street, Jerusalem. 9426604 |
66 |
Rehavia |
Jerusalem |
08-8549422 |
08-8549444 |
1 Haim Moshe Shapira, Ashdod. 7742323 |
114 |
Rova Dalet |
South |
02-6257444 |
02-6227444 |
97 Jaffa, Jerusalem. 9434001 |
159 |
Clal Center |
Jerusalem |
03-6593766 |
03-5002333 |
51 Balfour Street, Bat Yam. 5937134 |
51 |
Bat Yam |
Shfela |
03-5145188 |
03-5145960 |
76 Rothschild Boulevard, Tel Aviv-Jaffa. 6688107 |
100 |
Rothschild Blvd |
Center |
03-6177216 |
03-6177222 |
13 Ben Gurion Rd., Bnei Brak. 5126016 |
58 |
Derech Ben Gurion |
Center |
03-7524805 |
03-7533444 |
12 Abba Hillel Silver, Ramat Gan. 5250606 |
123 |
Kikar Yahalom |
Center |
09-9555746 |
09-9526444 |
63 Kdoshei Sho’ah, Herzliya. 4685436 |
146 |
Herzliya Pituach |
Center |
076-8890230 |
076-8056001 |
29 Ben Yehuda, Tel Aviv-Yafo. 6357713 |
130 |
Mapu |
International Banking |
09-8628784 |
09-8302300 |
6 Smilansky Street, Netanya, Israel 4243208 |
156 |
Malab - Natanya |
International Banking |
Mercantile Discount Bank:
Region |
Branch name |
Branch number |
Address |
Phone |
Fax |
Jerusalem |
Salah Abu al-Din |
638 |
2 Abu-Udiyya St., East Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 9711026 |
076-8063800 |
076-8063808 |
Jerusalem |
Main Jerusalem |
642 |
Yaffo 64, |
076-8064200 |
076-8064208 |
South |
Ashdod |
676 |
Shavei Zion 3, Ashdod, 7710201 |
076-8067600 |
076-8067608 |
Center |
Tel Aviv Main |
654 |
Allenby 103, |
076-8065408 |
076-8065408 |
Center |
Dizengoff |
655 |
102 Dizengoff, |
076-8065500 |
076-8065508 |
Center |
Rishon Lezion |
668 |
115 Rothschild, Rishon Lezion, 7500257 |
076-8066800 |
076-8066808 |
Tel Aviv |
Rabbi Akiva |
745 |
140 Rabbi Akiva, Bnei Brak, 5152101 |
076-8074500 |
076-8074500 |
Haifa |
Carmel Center |
679 |
134 Hanasi St. Carmel Center, Haifa, 3464231 |
076-8067900 |
076-8067900 |
Sharon |
Netanya |
647 |
20 Shmuel |
076-8064700 |
076-8064708 |
A List of Banks in Israel: |
Bank Name | No. of bank | Address | Telephone | Fax | Bank website | |
Leumi Bank | 10 | יהודה הלוי 24-32, ת"ד 2,תל אביב. מיקוד 61000 | 076-885111 | 076-8858360 | www.leumi.co.il | |
Hapoalim Bank | 12 | שד' רוטשילד 50, תל אביב. מיקוד 66883 | 03- 567333 |
03-5607028 | www.bankhpoalim.co.il | |
Discount Bank | 11 | יהודה הלוי 23, ת"ד 456, תל אביב. מיקוד 65136 | 03-5145555 | 03-5153263 | www.discountbank.co.il | |
Mizrahi Tefahot Bank | 20 | ז'בוטינסקי 7, רמת גן. מיקוד 52520 | 03-7559000 | -03 7559913 | www.mizrahi-tefahot.co.il | |
Mercantile Discount Bank | 17 | דרך מנחם בגין 125, תל אביב. מיקוד 6701201 | 076-8044530 | 076-80444985 | www.mercantile.co.il | |
Massad Bank | 46 | אבא הלל 12, רמת גן. מיקוד 52506 | 03-5641333 | 03-5602384 | www.online.bankmassad.co.il | |
Bank of Jerusalem | 54 | קרית שדה התעופה, רמלה. מיקוד 70100 | 076-8096001 | 076-8096008 | www.bankjerusalem.co.i | |
Union Bank | 13 | אחוזת בית 6-8, ת"ד 2428, תל אביב. מיקוד 61024 | 03-5191111 | 03-5191274 | www.unionbank.co.il | |
Bank Yahav | 4 | ירמיהו 80, ת"ד 36333, ירושלים. מיקוד 61024 | 02-5009666 | 02-5385869 | www.bank-yahav.co.il | |
Otzer HaChayal Bank | 14 | מגדל אילון, תל אביב. מיקוד 94467 | 03-7556000 |
03-7556007 |
|
|
Bank of Israel | 99 | קרית מדע 3 הר החוצבים,ירושלים | 02-6552211 | 02-6528805 | www.boi.org.il | |
First International Bank | 31 | שד' רוטשילד 42, תל אביב. מיקוד 6688310 | 03-5196111 | 03-5100316 | new.fibi-online.co.il | |
Poalei Agudat Israel Bank | 52 | אחד העם 9, ת"ד 29741, תלאביב. מיקוד 61297 | 03-5196650 | 03-5196785 | www.pagi.co.il |
What documents do I have to bring to the bank to open a bank account?
|
1. The applicant’s valid foreign passport with a valid visa.
2. Another document identifying the applicant, such as a driver's license or a Kupat Cholim card with a picture.
3. A PIN number from abroad (for U.S. citizens).
4. For a student, certification from the school where he studies.
|
Identifying your bank account: |
• The bank account number is composed of three sets of numbers.
• The first number is the individual number of the Bank (as set forth in the table above).
• The second number is the bank branch number (each bank has several branches and each branch has a different number).
• The third number is the personal account number of the account holder. For example, a person who owns account number 123456 in the Meah Shearim branch of HaPoalim Bank, will have a bank account number of 12-533-123456.
|
The bank's stringent requirements for citizens, or foreign residents: |
A bank account with 'non-resident' status: |
Conditions to get a 'non-resident' account: |
1. The “center of one’s life” must be established as being abroad. To determine this, family, economic and social ties will be taken account, including among other things his permanent home; his and his family’s place of residence; his place of regular work / employment; where he has permanent active and significant economic interests; and the location of organizations, associations or institutions that he is active in.
2. He did not live in Israel during the tax year more than 183 days (continuously or intermittently), or did not spend in the tax year more than 30 days with the sum total days in the tax year and the two years before the tax year, did not exceed 425 days.
|
The advantages of having a 'non-resident' account:
|
• Exemption from foreign currency account service fees.
• Preferential interest rate for deposits.
• Exemption from payment of income tax on interest from deposits (depending on signing the tax declaration form).
• Tax exemption for Israeli and foreign securities.
|
Public Inquiries: |
Bank Name | Telephone | Fax |
Leumi Bank | 076-8857011 | 076-8858688 |
Hapoalim Bank | 03-5673697 | 03-7136146 |
Discount Bank | 03-5153441 | 03-5153263 |
Mizrahi Tefahot Bank | 03-7549216 | 076-8622793 |
Mercantile Discount Bank | 076-8044151 | 076-8044911 |
Massad Bank | 03-5641347 | 03-7170598 |
Bank Of Jerusalem | 076-8096026 | 076-8096039 |
Union Bank | 03-5191539 | 03-7956931 |
Bank Yahav | 2616* | 02-5010062 |
Otzar HaChayal Bank | 03-7556309 | 03-7964500 |
First International Bank | 03-5138700 | 03-5135299 |