What is the Ptour me-Amalot for new Olim?

The Ptour me-Amalot is a legal right for new Olim — Israeli banks are required to waive banking fees for the first 3 years after your Aliyah. You must explicitly request it by presenting your Teoudat Oleh at your branch.

Which bank should I choose in Israel as a new Oleh?

The most accessible banks for new Olim include Leumi, Hapoalim, and Discount. Bank Leumi has a dedicated department for new Olim. Compare fees and branch proximity before opening your account — some banks allow account opening directly at Ben Gurion airport.

How do I receive my Sal Klita in my Israeli bank account?

When registering at the Misrad Haklita, provide your Israeli bank details (bank number, branch number, account number). The first Sal Klita payment is processed within a few weeks of your registration.

What is Masav and what is it used for?

Masav is Israel's interbank automatic transfer system, equivalent to SEPA in Europe. It is used to receive your salary, pay rent and bills, and transfer money between individuals.

How do I open a bank account in Israel as a new Oleh?

Book an appointment at a local branch (Snif) saying 'Oleh Hadash'. Bring your Teudat Zehut, Teudat Oleh, passport and Israeli phone number. The appointment takes about 90 minutes and gives access to the Ptour me-Amalot (3-year fee waiver).

What is Ptour me-Amalot?

Ptour me-Amalot is a bank fee waiver for new Olim covering account maintenance, transfers and cheque book for 3 years. It is a legal right — ask for it in writing when opening your account.

Which bank is best for Olim in Israel?

Leumi and Discount are most recommended for Olim. Leumi has the best app and English support. Discount is often the most generous at opening. For mobile-first banking, Pepper is fast but check that your landlord accepts their cheques.

How do I receive my Sal Klita?

Submit your bank details (Ishour Nihoul Heshbon) to Misrad Haklita on the same day you open your account. The first payment typically takes 2 to 4 weeks to arrive.

How can I send money from abroad to Israel?

Wise and Revolut offer the best exchange rates — open them before you leave your home country. For large amounts, notify your Israeli bank in advance about the source of funds.

What is Masav in Israel?

Masav is Israel's automated clearing network. It handles salary payments, Koupat Holim health fund debits, direct debits (Oraat Keva) and standing orders (Horaat Keva).

Olim Banking 2026.

In Israel, your bank account is the engine of your integration. Sal Klita, rent, salary: everything starts here.

Before Aliyah Open account Which bank?Week 1 Check-list Sal Klita Transfers Traps Glossary

Why open an account right away?

Without an Israeli account: no Sal Klita, no health-fund debit, no salary. It is the first administrative step after Aliyah.

Sal Klita

Rent

Salary

Bit / PayBox

Traditional vs digital bank

Traditional banks (Leumi, Hapoalim…) offer branches + cheques. Neobanks (Pepper, One Zero) are mobile-only — check if your landlord accepts their cheques.

Your New Oleh benefits

Ptour me-Amalot (3 years)

Waiver of standard fees (account, transfers, cheque book) for 3 years. Ask at the appointment and get it written in your file — it is a right.

Olim counsellor

Say "Oleh Hadash" when booking to get French/English support at most major banks.

Sal Klita to your account

First payment arrives after you give your bank details (RIB) to Misrad Haklita. Do it the same day you open the account.

International card

Enable foreign online payments on your card — often off by default.

Before Aliyah

Before Aliyah — Open Wise Now

Opening an Israeli bank account takes 3–7 days. Without Wise or Revolut, you arrive without a currency exchange solution.

Wise

Interbank rate, transfers to Israel in 1–2 days. Open from abroad in 10 minutes.

Revolut

Instant virtual card, real-time exchange, up to €1,000/month free.

Key tip

Set up both before leaving — use whichever has the best rate at the moment.

Open your account — step by step

1
Book at the Snif (branch)
Call your local branch. Say "Oleh Hadash" for a French/English-speaking adviser if possible.
2
Prepare documents
Teudat Zehut, Teudat Oleh, passport, Israeli phone (SMS), proof of address if required.
3
Signing (~1.5 h)
FATCA, terms, card choice, Ptour and fee package (Masloul). Read what you initial.
4
First deposit
Deposit at least 50–100 ₪ to activate the account and get your bank details (RIB).
5
RIB to Misrad Haklita
Submit RIB for Sal Klita, then set up Masav (salary) and health-fund debit.

First week — what to do

Day 1

Call the bank for an appointment

Open the account

Activate the mobile app

Day 3

Submit RIB to Misrad Haklita

Get Ptour noted in writing

Order cheque book (Pinkas Chequim)

Week 1

Set up Masav (Koupat Holim + employer)

Activate Bit on your phone

Confirm Sal Klita is scheduled

Direct bank links

Leumi

Best app, EN portal

Hapoalim

Large branch network

Discount

Often generous for Olim

Mizrahi

Mortgage specialist

Pepper

Mobile-only (Leumi)

Which bank should I choose?

Leumi

Recommended

Start strong: best app, English support, branches everywhere

FR/EN supportPhysical branchCheque book

Hapoalim

Find a branch near you, accessible in-person advisors

FR/EN supportPhysical branchCheque book

Discount

Recommended

Best opening perks — often the most generous for new Olim

Hebrew onlyPhysical branchCheque book

Mizrahi

Planning to buy property — mortgage specialist (Mashkanta)

Hebrew onlyPhysical branchCheque book

Pepper

Manage everything from your phone — check landlord accepts their cheques for rent

Hebrew only100% digitalNo cheque book

Document checklist

Without these originals, the branch will refuse to open the account:

Teudat Zehut

Blue card or temporary paper.

Teudat Oleh

Check children are listed.

Israeli phone

Required for activation SMS.

Foreign passport

Mandatory (FATCA / tax residency).

Proof of address

Lease or utility bill (sometimes required).

Email address

For statements and app activation.

Sal Klita

Monthly Sal Klita payments require your bank details at Misrad Haklita. The first transfer may take a few weeks after opening.

Action: visit Misrad Haklita as soon as you have your RIB.

Choosing your bank

Compare nearby branches, mobile app, and Olim offers. The 3-year Ptour exists at most major banks — insist it is recorded.

International transfers

Verify SWIFT and IBAN (23 characters in Israel). For large amounts, compare Wise, Revolut, etc. — often cheaper than bank FX.

For property purchase or large sums: notify the bank BEFORE the wire (source of funds / AML).

Wise / Revolut

Often better rates, 1–3 day delivery.

Bank SWIFT wire

Simpler for very large amounts with documentation.

Western Union / others

Emergency only — high fees.

Expert advice

Bank fees (Amalot)

Ask for a Masloul (monthly package): transfers, cheques, card, account maintenance.

Oleh Hadash: 3-year Ptour (fee waiver) — a right, not a favor.

Money from abroad

Banks may temporarily hold incoming wires and request proof of source of funds.

Contact your bank BEFORE sending a large amount.

Branch exit checklist

Before leaving, confirm:

RIB / Ishour Nihoul Heshbon (paper + PDF).

Mobile app activated + login codes.

Cheque book ordered (Pinkas Chequim).

Ptour me-Amalot noted in your file.

Sal Klita form signed or instructions received.

Digital-only banks

Pepper (Leumi), One Zero, etc.: fast phone onboarding. Great for daily use; for rent, confirm landlord accepts their cheques or use transfer.

Pepper

Leumi app, popular with young Olim.

One Zero

Israeli neobank, instant virtual card.

Limits

Not always a physical branch — plan cheques/agency if needed.

Masav & salary

Masav is the clearing network for automatic debits and credits (salary, health fund, recurring rent).

Salary (employee)

Give IBAN to employer — monthly Masav credit.

Koupat Holim

Monthly debit via Bituach Leumi — account required at signup.

Oraat Keva

Incoming direct debit (insurance, etc.) — set in app or branch.

Horaat Keva

Standing order you send each month (e.g. rent).

FATCA & dual citizenship

US citizens (or US tax residents) must complete FATCA forms. Israeli banks must report. Keep a copy of what you sign.

FR/IL dual nationality: bank will ask primary tax residency — bring passport + Teudat Oleh.

Mobile banking

90% of operations happen in the app:

Transfers

Between Israeli accounts in seconds.

Cheque deposit

Photo deposit (bank-dependent).

Statements

Download certificates for Arnona, visas, etc.

Virtual card

Toggle online payments on/off.

Bit & PayBox

P2P payments via phone number — linked to your bank account.

Payments in Israel

Bank cards

“Credit” = charged on 2nd, 10th or 15th next month. “Debit” = immediate. Choose based on budgeting.

Cheques

Essential for rent. Order Pinkas Chequim on day one. Cross with two lines (Lemaoutav Bilvad).

Bit & PayBox

P2P payments via phone number — linked to your bank account.

Keren Hishtalmut & savings

Your bank is not the only savings option: Keren Hishtalmut (via employer), investment funds, etc.

Banking glossary

Ishour Nihoul

Bank details / RIB

Amalot

Bank fees

Ptour

Fee exemption

Snif

Branch

Masloul

Monthly fee package

Masav

Clearing network

Horaat Keva

Standing order (out)

Oraat Keva

Direct debit (in)

Pinkas Chequim

Cheque book

Hafkada

Deposit

Mshikat Yeter

Overdraft

Hotzaat Cheque

Bounced cheque

Kaspomat

ATM

Heshbon

Account

Ishur

Certificate

Beware of overdraft

High overdraft rates (8–12%). Bounced cheque = serious banking incident (Hotzaat Cheque).

Traps to avoid

Bounced cheque

A rejected cheque (Hotzaat Cheque) is a serious incident. Can block a rental or employment.

Ptour not in writing

A verbal agreement is not enough. Insist it is written in your physical file.

RIB not sent to Misrad

Without your RIB at Misrad Haklita on day one, your Sal Klita is blocked.

Uncrossed cheque

A cheque without two horizontal lines can be cashed by anyone. Always cross before signing.

Did you know?

Never sign a cheque without crossing it (Lemaoutav Bilvad).

Enable SMS alerts for large transactions.

Keep 2–3 months rent in the account before the 3-year Ptour ends.

AI tool

Received a letter from your bank?

Scan it — get a clear summary in English with key amounts.

Scan document

AI tool

Write to your bank in Hebrew

Generate an official letter in Hebrew in 30 seconds.

Write letter

Locate a bank near you

Find Hapoalim, Leumi, Discount and Mizrahi branches on the Olim map.

Open map

Related OlimAid guides

Administrative guide Health guide Work guide Aid & finance guide Tax refund guide Housing guide