Who is an Israeli Citizen?
It is possible to obtain Israeli citizenship by making Aliyah. It is also possible to automatically inherit mandatory Israeli citizenship at birth.
- One who makes Aliyah, is naturalized or is born in Israel to at least one parent who is an Israeli citizen, toshav arai or toshav keva, automatically becomes a first-generation Israeli. Additionally, anyone who was born in Israel prior to 18/11/1980 or was living in Israel on 14/07/1952 is a first-generation Israeli citizen, unless their citizenship was actively renounced.
- One who is born outside of Israel to a first-generation Israeli automatically inherits mandatory citizenship as a second-generation Israeli.
- Those born outside of Israel to a second-generation Israeli do not inherit citizenship. This is referred to in Hebrew as dor shlishi, lit. third generation.
Tip
It is advisable to have proof of your status as a dor shlishi ie: birth certificates that show your place of birth and your parents’ place of birth abroad.
An Israeli citizen is required to enter and leave Israel on an Israeli passport and is unable to obtain an Israeli visa.
Note
Through September 30, 2026, Israelis with dual citizenship may enter and exit Israel by presenting only their foreign passports (see here for more information).
Undeclared Israeli Citizens Residing Abroad
Those who are born to a first-generation Israeli parent outside of Israel are without question Israeli. This applies whether or not the citizenship, or the citizen’s existence, has been registered with the Israeli authorities. It is a mandatory acquisition that applies automatically at birth.
When entering Israel as a tourist, undeclared citizens may be flagged and instructed to put their citizenship in order, although often their status will go unnoticed and they will be issued a tourist visa.
However, for someone who wishes to live in Israel it is vital that they have a legal status that can grant them residency and allow access to critical benefits including complete health insurance and tax discounts.
Foreign citizens can obtain various long term visas which allow them access to these benefits, such as an A/1 (toshav arai) and most commonly an A/2 (student visa). When applying for a long-term visa, the applicant will need to provide proof of their parents’ birthdates in order for The Population Authority (Misrad Hapnim) to ascertain that they are not Israeli citizens. Those whose parents are indeed first-generation Israeli citizens will be unable to obtain a visa and are required to register their Israeli status.
There are those who harbor an innate fear of “being Israeli”. However, if one’s stay in Israel will be longer than a short visit, it is critical to properly legalize one’s status.
Note
Bituach Leumi is Israel’s national insurance institute that provides insurance and social security benefits to residents of Israel. Members of Bituach Leumi access healthcare services through one of the 4 health funds/ networks called kupot cholim. While some of the kupot cholim will allow a foreigner to register on a tourist plan, it is important to realize that without Bituach Leumi this provides only limited coverage and certain medical expenses (such as births) will not be covered.
The process of registering as an Israeli citizen can be simpler when arranged abroad. There are fewer legal requirements, personal documents are more readily available and parents are often able to be physically present, which avoids the extra step of long-distance parental consent. See the following section for details on the process.
Registering a Child Born Abroad as an Israeli Citizen
The Israeli parent(s) must visit the nearest Israeli consulate to have their child registered as an Israeli citizen. An appointment should be made in advance. See here for a list of Israeli outposts.
Please note: If the child is already in Israel, this entire process can be also done at The Population Authority (Misrad Hapnim) in Israel.
Note
Signed consent is required even when the applicant is no longer a minor.
The following documents are required:
1. Parental Consent Form – At the Israeli consulate, the Israeli parent(s) will sign this consent form for the child’s application.
Note
If the parent(s) cannot get to the Israeli consulate to sign this declaration, due to distance or disability, this consent form may be able to be signed in the presence of a local lawyer or notary and presented in the consulate.
2. Parents’ Foreign Marriage License with an apostille (or Israeli ishur nisuin) – If the parents’ marital status has not been registered with the Israeli authorities they may be required to present legal documentation to ascertain their status including: marriage certificate; divorce certificate; spouse’s death certificate, if applicable.
In this case they will likely also require the mother’s Israeli birth certificate or foreign birth certificate with an apostille.
3. Passport Pictures – 2 identical Israeli passport pictures of the applicant
4. Passport– applicant’s valid non-Israeli passport
5. Birth Certificate with apostille – the applicant’s original birth certificate. Both parents’ names must appear on the birth certificate.
6. Legal Documentation on applicants’ marital status with apostille – All legal documentation of the applicant’s marital status, including: marriage license; divorce certificate; spouse’s death certificate, if applicable and in some cases proof of single status or single status prior to marriage.
In some cases, the following documents may also be requested:
1. A letter from a Rabbi abroad on congregation letterhead, stating the applicant is Jewish and born to a Jewish mother or father. If the applicant was born to a non-Jewish mother this will not be required.
2. A declaration signed by the Israeli parent(s) stating the mother listed on the applicant’s birth certificate is indeed the birth mother.
3. Proof of pregnancy – additional documentation showing the mother listed on the applicant’s birth certificate is indeed the birth mother. This could be a discharge letter from the hospital, medical records from the time of pregnancy or ultrasound pictures.
4. Proof of the applicant’s parents living together for 300 days prior to the applicant’s birth such as a joint rent contract or bills, dated pictures from an extended period or joint bank accounts. (This is often required when the father is the Israeli parent.)
5. If one cannot present the above: an Israeli court ruling, connecting the applicant to their Israeli parent, may be required. This will usually require DNA testing.
6. Additional documents may be required depending on the circumstances.
Once this process has been completed, one will be given a mispar zehut and can then apply for an Israeli passport.
An Israeli passport can be applied for at the embassy or consulate abroad or at The Population Authority (Misrad Hapnim) in Israel.
To establish residency in Israel and be eligible for Bituach Leumi, please see below. Please note that once an individual is registered as an Israeli citizen they are subject to a mandatory draft.
To remain an Israeli citizen who is registered as living abroad (generally the case for single students coming to learn), do not continue reading and please see here for information on obtaining an army deferment as a ben mehagrim.
For information on women and the draft see here.
Establishing Residency
Step 1: Obtain an Israeli ID Card (Teudat Zehut)
In order to establish residency, one must first hold a teudat zehut (Israeli ID) card. To obtain one, make an appointment at https://govisit.gov.il (choose רשות האוכלוסין וההגירה and then בקשה לתעודת זהות ביומטרי)
Bring to your appointment:
- Israeli passport, if you have one
- Foreign passport
- Proof of marital status with an apostille (or Israeli ishur nisuin) including: marriage license; divorce certificate; spouse’s death certificate, if applicable and in some cases proof of single status.
- If married: spouse’s ID. If the applicant’s spouse is not Israeli, the spouse will need to provide proof of singlehood from before he/she was married.
Note
It is recommended to request a temporary teudat zehut card at one’s appointment. It will be issued on the spot. To do so, bring along two passport-size photos. Although it is not biometric, a temporary card can be used at Misrad Haklita and is sometimes accepted when opening an Israeli bank account.
The teudat zehut card will be sent by Israel Post to your home address within four weeks. Be sure to save the four digit pin code given to you at the appointment! This will be needed in order to receive the card and activate it upon delivery.
After receiving a teudat zehut card, continue to step 2.
Step 2: Registering as a Resident (Toshav)
Misrad Haklita, The Ministry of Absorption, will grant the citizen the status of an ezrach oleh confirming residency in Israel.
To begin the process, contact Misrad Haklita:
- By phone – Call to open a file and to book an appointment. They will advise which documents are required for your appointment.
- Jerusalem residents: 1599-500-923
- Outside Jerusalem: 03-973-3333
- Via Online Form here.
Bring to your appointment:
- Teudat zehut
- Supporting documents, which generally include:
- Proof of prior residency abroad abroad (e.g., sale of property abroad, termination letter from a former employer, closure of a foreign bank account)
- Proof of current residency in Israel (e.g., rental contract or home purchase agreement, Israeli utility bills in the applicant’s name, Israeli bank account details)
Misrad Haklita will issue a teudat zaka’ut (a certificate of eligibility) indicating the benefits one is entitled to based on your new status.
Misrad Haklita should activate your Bituach Leumi membership. If they do not do so automatically, please contact Chaim V’Chessed for assistance.
A Note About Renouncing Israeli Citizenship
A citizen who has left Israel may be able to renounce their Israeli citizenship abroad via the Israeli embassy or consulate. Chaim V’Chessed is not familiar with the process.
Please note:
- Renunciation can only be done after one is first registered as a citizen.
- Citizenship cannot be renounced as long as the individual is required to serve in the army – generally from age 16.5 until after age 28/29 – unless an exemption has been obtained.
