Israel — Complete Emigration Guide 2026
10,134,800 people · Capital: Jerusalem · Western Asia
Updated H2 2026 · Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis
Overview
Israel is located in Western Asia, with a population of 10,134,800. Its currency is the Israeli new shekel. Our database tracks 11 visa pathways for Israel, each linked to a named source.
See also: Israel country profile
Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis. See our methodology and data sources.
Visa Pathways (11)
Sponsored Employment (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B/1 Work Visa | €7,994/mo | — | 12 mo | — |
| Foreign expert (B/1) | €7,994/mo | — | 12 mo | — |
Study (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A/2 Academic Student Visa | €57/mo | — | 12 mo | — |
Ancestry & Descent (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aliyah (Nativ) Visa | — | — | — | — |
| Aliyah (the Jewish Agency) Visa | — | — | — | — |
General Residence (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extend a temporary or permanent residence permit or change a visa category | €57/mo | — | — | — |
Religious Workers (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A/2 Yeshiva Studies Visa | €57/mo | — | 12 mo | — |
| A/3 Clergy Visa | — | — | — | — |
Cultural Exchange (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B/4 Volunteer Visa | — | — | — | — |
Tourism & Short Stay (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B/2 Tourist Visa | — | — | — | — |
| ETA-IL | — | — | 3 mo | — |
Cost of Living
| Item | Israel | W. Europe Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | €1,850 | €1,200 | +54% |
| Rent (3BR) | €2,950 | €2,000 | +48% |
| Groceries | €280 | €350 | -20% |
| Transport | €95 | €80 | +19% |
| Utilities | €185 | €150 | +23% |
| Dining (meal) | €18 | €15 | +20% |
Salary & Employment
| Sector | Median (gross, €/yr) |
|---|---|
| Construction | €38,000 |
| Education | €42,000 |
| Engineering | €65,000 |
| Finance | €58,000 |
| Healthcare | €48,000 |
| Hospitality | €28,000 |
| IT | €72,000 |
| Retail | €24,000 |
Shortage Occupations
- Software Developer (IT)
- Data Scientist (IT)
- Cybersecurity Specialist (IT)
- Physician (Healthcare)
- Nurse (Healthcare)
- Mechanical Engineer (Engineering)
- Electrical Engineer (Engineering)
Tax
Healthcare
Education
| University | QS Rank | English Progs | Tuition (Intl) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technion - Israel Institute of Technology | 90 | 42 | €16,000 |
| Hebrew University of Jerusalem | 111 | 38 | €14,000 |
| Tel Aviv University | 137 | 35 | €13,500 |
| Bar-Ilan University | 410 | 28 | €12,500 |
| Ben-Gurion University of the Negev | 361 | 22 | €11,800 |
Practical Info
Banking
Driving
Phone & Internet
Credentials
Quality of Life
Official sources
The visa data on this page is compiled from official government sources — 11 of the 11 pathways link directly to the government page they were verified against, and 4 financial requirements below carry the exact quote from the official source. Values that fail verification are removed, not guessed — see the live verification freshness index.
- israel-entry.piba.gov.il · 6 pathways · verified 2026-06-24
- main.knesset.gov.il · 2 pathways · verified 2026-06-23
- gov.il · 2 pathways · verified 2026-06-22
- gov.il · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-23
Verified requirements — exact official citations
Each figure below was verified verbatim against the official page linked, on the date shown.
A/2 Academic Student Visa · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “Under 'Service fee': 'NIS 195'.” — gov.il, 2026-07-07
Savings / proof of funds: “Proof of means of living.” — gov.il, 2026-07-07
Foreign expert (B/1) · 1 verified requirement
Minimum income: “Under article 1 of the law: NIS 13,566.” — btl.gov.il, 2026-07-09
B/1 Work Visa · 1 verified requirement
Minimum income: “Under article 1 of the law: NIS 13,566.” — btl.gov.il, 2026-07-09
Frequently Asked Questions
How many visa pathways does Israel have?
Our database tracks 11 visa pathways for Israel across 7 categories, the largest being Sponsored Employment, Tourism & Short Stay, Ancestry & Descent. Each entry links directly to an official government source.
What is the minimum income for the Extend a temporary or permanent residence permit or change a visa category?
The Extend a temporary or permanent residence permit or change a visa category lists a minimum income of EUR 57 per month, according to the official source (last checked 2026-06-23).
What is the average salary in Israel?
The average gross salary in Israel is EUR 2,909 per month. The statutory minimum wage is EUR 1,367 per month.
How much does rent cost in Israel?
A one-bedroom apartment in Israel averages EUR 1,850 per month, and a three-bedroom apartment averages EUR 2,950 per month.
What is the top income tax rate in Israel?
The top personal income tax rate in Israel is 50%. The standard VAT rate is 18%.
Start Preparing for Israel
Still shortlisting? See our data-driven ranking of the best countries to move to in 2026 — Top 10 overall plus picks for digital nomads, retirees, skilled workers, families, and low-cost living.