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.
Olim Banking 2026.
In Israel, your bank account is the engine of your integration. Sal Klita, rent, salary: everything starts here.
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.
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.
Direct bank links
Quick comparator
Leumi
Best mobile app
Hapoalim
More physical branches
Discount
Often very generous with Olim
Mizrahi
Mortgage leader (Mashkanta)
Pepper
Fast opening, no branch visit
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
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).
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.
Locate a bank near you
Find Hapoalim, Leumi, Discount and Mizrahi branches on the Olim map.