Health Insurance Contributions for New Immigrants in Israel
After HMO registration, the next practical question is whether health insurance contributions must be paid immediately. Official rules give new immigrants a grace period, but it depends on income and should not be treated as automatic in every case.
1. The basic exemption
According to the National Insurance Institute, a new immigrant is exempt from paying health insurance contributions for six months from the date of aliyah, provided there is no income or the income is below the official threshold.
On the current official English page, the amount stated is NIS 688 as of January 1, 2026.
2. When the exemption may last longer
The official National Insurance page for new immigrants states that the exemption can be extended for another six months if the person receives a subsistence allowance from the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and submits the required proof.
In practice, that means it is better to verify the exact status with the National Insurance Institute rather than assume the extension applies automatically.
3. What to check in practice
- Whether you have income during the first months after aliyah.
- Whether that income exceeds the official threshold.
- Whether you receive payments that may support an additional exemption.
- Whether the required documents were actually submitted to the National Insurance Institute.