For many new immigrants, purchasing a home in Israel is one of the first major steps toward a real sense of belonging.
In some cases, this happens even before the actual Aliyah, as part of planning the move and securing housing in advance.
But alongside the excitement, one question arises time and again:
“Do new immigrants receive a Purchase Tax exemption — and if so, how extensive is it?”
This seemingly simple question highlights an important truth: when buying property in Israel, your attorney should not only know real estate law — they must also understand taxation.
Two Routes for Calculating Purchase Tax
The answer depends on the tax route the new immigrant chooses.
New immigrants are entitled to select between two parallel frameworks under Israel’s Real Estate Taxation Law (Capital Gains, Sale and Purchase), 1963:
one applying to all Israeli residents, and another designed specifically for Olim Hadashim.
- The Regular Route – Progressive Brackets for a First Home
Under the standard rules, which apply to all Israeli residents, Purchase Tax is progressive and updated annually by the Ministry of Finance.
Currently, a buyer of a single residential apartment enjoys a full exemption on the portion of the value up to roughly 2 million shekels,
and pays 3.5%, 5%, 8%, or 10% on the remaining tiers depending on the property’s value.
In practice, this means that in many cases a new immigrant — like any other Israeli resident — may pay no Purchase Tax at all when buying a modest first home.
This route is particularly advantageous for those purchasing a reasonably priced property whose value falls below the exemption threshold.
- The Special Route – A Fixed Reduced Rate for New Immigrants
In addition to the regular system, new immigrants have access to a special reduced rate:
0.5% on the property value up to approximately 2 million shekels, and 5% on any amount above that.
Eligibility requires that:
- the property is purchased for the personal use of the immigrant or their family, and
- the acquisition occurs within seven years of Aliyah, or up to one year before arriving in Israel.
The advantage of this route is its predictable low rate, which often yields substantial savings on higher-value properties, where the regular brackets would result in a much heavier tax burden.
For example, on a 5-million-shekel property, the special immigrant route can reduce the tax bill by tens of thousands of shekels.
Flexibility – and an Official Confirmation from the Tax Authority
The Israel Tax Authority explicitly allows immigrants to choose between the two routes.
This flexibility is recognized in Real Estate Tax Directive No. 5/2011, which states that
“A new immigrant purchasing a residential apartment may elect between the route prescribed in Section 9(g1a) (special immigrant rate) and the route prescribed in Section 9(g1) (regular progressive rates).”
This means that every new immigrant has the right — and responsibility — to determine which option is more beneficial before finalizing the transaction.
Early Planning Is the Key
Choosing the right route is not a technical decision; it requires thoughtful planning.
One must consider the property’s value, timing of the Aliyah, existing assets in Israel or abroad, and whether the property is for residence or investment.
Our clear professional recommendation:
Never purchase property in Israel without an attorney who also specializes in real estate taxation.
A proper tax analysis at the negotiation stage can save tens of thousands of shekels, prevent disputes with the Israel Tax Authority, and ensure that you benefit from every exemption the law provides.
If you are planning to make Aliyah, purchase a home, invest in Israeli real estate, or establish a business presence in Israel,
we invite you to schedule a consultation with our firm.
Our team specializes in international and Israeli real estate taxation, ensuring that your relocation and investments are structured smartly, efficiently, and legally — from the very first step.
