Opening the account, step by step
Based on the Nefesh B’Nefesh first-steps guide for olim.
Book an appointment
Many banks ask you to book. Some insist on opening oleh accounts at a specific branch, so ask when you call.
Come together if you are married
Both spouses must be present. To receive the sal klita as a family, a married couple opens a joint account.
Bring the documents
Your Teudat Oleh or Teudat Zakaut, your Teudat Zehut, your foreign passport and the Note of Future Bank Account from the airport. Teudat Oleh holders can often open an account without a Teudat Zehut within 30 days of arrival. US citizens are asked for their Social Security number and a W-9 form.
Leave with the paperwork
You get your account details, instructions for online banking, a deposit receipt and the note, now stamped by the bank.
Take the stamped note to Misrad HaKlita
The stamped note is how Misrad HaKlita knows where to send the rest of your sal klita. See Misrad HaKlita.
The Hebrew on the account-opening forms
For the words on your statement, the ATM and the app, see Hebrew banking terms. These are the words from the opening meeting.
- פתיחת חשבוןptichat cheshbonOpening an account.
- בעלי החשבוןbaalei ha-cheshbonThe account holders.
- מורשה חתימהmurshe chatimaAuthorized signatory.
- תושבות מסtoshavut masTax residency. Banks ask about every country where you are a tax resident.
- אזרחותezrachutCitizenship.
- הצהרה על נהנהhatzhara al neheneDeclaration of the beneficiary: who the money in the account really belongs to.
- מקור הכספיםmakor ha-ksafimSource of funds, a standard question when money arrives from abroad.
- מסלול עמלותmaslul amalotFee plan. Ask whether there is one for olim.
- תעריפוןtaarifonThe bank’s official price list of fees.
- תנאים כללייםtnaim klaliyimGeneral terms and conditions, the long document you sign.
- מספר סניףmispar snifBranch number, part of your account details.
- העברה מחו״לhaavara me-chulTransfer from abroad.
- הרשאה לחיוב חשבוןharshaa le-chiyuv cheshbonDirect debit authorization, for bills such as arnona or a phone plan.
- טופס אריכות ימיםtofes arichut yamimA form for joint accounts so that each holder keeps access if the other dies.
- הטבה לעוליםhatava le-olimA benefit or discount for olim. Always ask.
What to ask the banker
Male form first, female form second.
| English | Hebrew | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| I’m a new immigrant and I’d like to open an account. | אני עולה חדש / עולה חדשה ואני רוצה לפתוח חשבון. | ani oleh chadash / olah chadasha ve-ani rotze / rotza liftoach cheshbon |
| Is there a fee plan for olim? | יש מסלול עמלות לעולים? | yesh maslul amalot le-olim |
| Can you stamp the form for Misrad HaKlita? | אפשר להחתים לי את הטופס של משרד הקליטה? | efshar lehachtim li et ha-tofes shel misrad ha-klita |
| We’d like a joint account. | אנחנו רוצים / רוצות חשבון משותף. | anachnu rotzim / rotzot cheshbon meshutaf |
| How do I transfer money from abroad? | איך מעבירים כסף מחו״ל? | eich maavirim kesef me-chul |
| How much does each transfer cost? | כמה עולה כל העברה? | kama ola kol haavara |
| What are the branch number and the account number? | מה מספר הסניף ומספר החשבון? | ma mispar ha-snif u-mispar ha-cheshbon |
| When will I get the card? | מתי אקבל את הכרטיס? | matai akabel et ha-kartis |
| We’d like to sign the arichut yamim form. | אנחנו רוצים / רוצות לחתום על טופס אריכות ימים. | anachnu rotzim / rotzot lachtom al tofes arichut yamim |
| Can I take the forms home to read? | אפשר לקחת את הטפסים הביתה לקרוא? | efshar lakachat et ha-tfasim ha-bayta likro |
Read the forms before you sign them
Photograph each page of the account terms or upload the PDF, and baba gives you the English with the numbers and percentages intact. It helps you understand the contract; it is not financial or legal advice.
- Photo and PDF translation with baba Pro
- Ask a follow-up question in polite Hebrew
- 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
Can I open an Israeli bank account without a Teudat Zehut?
Often, yes. Nefesh B’Nefesh notes that Teudat Oleh holders can usually open an account without a Teudat Zehut within 30 days of arrival. A Teudat Zakaut holder needs a Teudat Zehut.
Why does the bank ask for my Social Security number?
Israeli banks ask US citizens for their Social Security number and a W-9 form. Nefesh B’Nefesh adds that some banks want to see the physical card.
Do married olim have to open a joint account?
To receive the sal klita as a family, yes: a married couple opens a joint account, and both spouses must be at the bank.
I already have an Israeli bank account. Do I need a new one?
Not necessarily, but the bank must update it with your Israeli ID number and your Teudat Oleh or Teudat Zakaut. Talk to your banker.
Official sources
Rules, amounts and deadlines change. Check the official page before you act on anything here.
- Nefesh B’Nefesh: Your first steps after making aliyah (bank account)checked September 29, 2026