Who pays, and the oleh discount
Nefesh B’Nefesh explains that arnona is charged in every city and town, whether you rent or own, and is calculated from the size of your home. In most rentals the tenant pays it, unless the lease says otherwise.
Olim can get a discount on arnona for up to 100 square meters of the apartment, for one 12-month period within the first 24 months after aliyah. The rate is set by each municipality: Nefesh B’Nefesh says it is customarily 50 to 90 percent, and the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration’s rights guide says up to 90 percent. It is not retroactive, so apply as soon as the bill is in your name.
You need your Teudat Oleh or Teudat Zakaut and either a rental contract of at least 12 months or proof of ownership. Many municipalities let you apply online. Nefesh B’Nefesh adds that the request may have to be repeated after 1 January, that some cities cancel the discount if the bill goes unpaid, and that a Katin Chozer is not eligible.
Moving in: put the bill in your name
Transfer the account
On the municipality’s website or at its office, ask for a change of occupant (חילופי מחזיקים). Nefesh B’Nefesh says this is how you avoid paying a previous tenant’s debt.
Bring the documents
Your Teudat Zehut, the rental contract, and your Teudat Oleh for the discount. Each municipality lists its exact requirements on its website.
Ask for the oleh discount at the same time
Say you are a new immigrant and hand over the Teudat Oleh. The discount only runs from when you apply.
Choose how to pay
Cash, credit card, or a standing order from your bank (הוראת קבע).
The main lines on the bill
- ארנונהarnonaMunicipal property tax.
- עירייהiriyaCity hall, municipality. Smaller places have a מועצה מקומית (local council) or מועצה אזורית (regional council).
- מחזיקmachzikThe occupant, the person liable for arnona. Usually the tenant.
- חילופי מחזיקיםchilufei machzikimChange of occupant: moving the account into your name.
- מספר נכסmispar nechesProperty number, the municipality’s ID for your apartment.
- מספר משלםmispar meshalemPayer number, your account with the municipality.
- שטח לחיובshetach le-chiyuvChargeable area, in square meters (מ״ר).
- סיווגsivugClassification of the property, such as residential (מגורים).
- אזורezorZone. The rate per square meter depends on the zone.
- תקופת חיובtkufat chiyuvBilling period covered by the bill.
- הנחהhanachaDiscount. הנחת עולה is the oleh discount.
- סכום לתשלוםschum le-tashlumAmount to pay.
- שובר תשלוםshovar tashlumPayment slip, with a barcode for the bank or the post office.
- יתרת חובyitrat chovOutstanding balance.
- ריבית והצמדהribit ve-hatzmadaInterest and index linkage, added to late payments.
- השגהhasagaObjection, for example to the area or classification on your bill. Objections have deadlines, so check your city’s rules early.
At the municipality
Male form first, female form second.
| English | Hebrew | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| I just moved in and want to transfer the arnona to my name. | נכנסתי לדירה ואני רוצה להעביר את הארנונה על שמי. | nichnasti la-dira ve-ani rotze / rotza leha’avir et ha-arnona al shmi |
| I’m a new immigrant and I’d like the oleh discount. | אני עולה חדש / עולה חדשה ואני רוצה לקבל הנחת עולה. | ani oleh chadash / olah chadasha ve-ani rotze / rotza lekabel hanachat oleh |
| Here is the rental contract. It’s for a year. | הנה חוזה השכירות. הוא לשנה. | hine choze ha-schirut. hu le-shana |
| This debt belongs to the previous tenant. | החוב הזה של הדייר הקודם. | ha-chov ha-ze shel ha-dayar ha-kodem |
| I want to pay by standing order. | אני רוצה לשלם בהוראת קבע. | ani rotze / rotza leshalem be-horaat keva |
| The area on the bill is wrong. | השטח בחשבון לא נכון. | ha-shetach ba-cheshbon lo nachon |
| Do I need to renew the discount in January? | צריך לחדש את ההנחה בינואר? | tzarich lechadesh et ha-hanacha be-yanuar |
| Can I do this on the website? | אפשר לעשות את זה באתר? | efshar laasot et ze ba-atar |
| How often does the bill come? | כל כמה זמן מגיע החשבון? | kol kama zman magia ha-cheshbon |
Photograph the bill, read it in English
baba translates the arnona bill and the municipality’s letters from a photo or PDF, keeps every amount and date, and helps you write to the city in polite Hebrew.
- Photo and PDF translation with baba Pro
- Formal replies to the municipality
- iPhone, Android and web
Get babaFree for iPhone and AndroidPoint your phone camera here. It opens baba if you have it, or the store if you don’t.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays arnona, the landlord or the tenant?
In most rentals the tenant, unless the lease says otherwise. Check the contract, and transfer the account into your name when you move in.
How big is the oleh arnona discount?
Each municipality decides. Nefesh B’Nefesh says it is customarily 50 to 90 percent, for up to 100 square meters of the apartment.
When can I use the oleh discount?
For one 12-month period of your choice within the first 24 months after aliyah. It is not retroactive, so apply as early as you can.
Can I combine it with other arnona discounts?
Nefesh B’Nefesh notes that municipal discounts based on age or income may exist, but not at the same time as the oleh discount.
My first bill includes a debt from before I moved in. What do I do?
Contact the municipality with your rental contract and its start date and ask for the change of occupant to be registered from that date. Nefesh B’Nefesh says putting the bill in your name when you move in is how you avoid a previous tenant’s debts.
Official sources
Rules, amounts and deadlines change. Check the official page before you act on anything here.
- Nefesh B’Nefesh: Arnona (reduced municipal tax)checked September 29, 2026
- Nefesh B’Nefesh: Your first steps after making aliyah (arnona)checked September 29, 2026
- Nefesh B’Nefesh: Aliyah rights and benefitschecked September 29, 2026
- Ministry of Aliyah and Integration: Rights guide for new olim (Hebrew)checked September 29, 2026