What Bituach Leumi is
Nefesh B’Nefesh explains that every Israeli resident aged 18 or over must, by law, be covered by Bituach Leumi, and so pays two kinds of contribution: national insurance (דמי ביטוח לאומי) and health insurance (דמי ביטוח בריאות). Bituach Leumi passes the health contributions on to the kupot cholim.
Eligibility depends on residency, not citizenship: whether the center of your life is in Israel. That is why Bituach Leumi wants to know when you travel. If you are employed, both contributions come off your payslip automatically. If you are not working, you pay them yourself, usually by standing order.
What it means in your first year
From Nefesh B’Nefesh’s rights and first-steps pages. Rules differ for former A-1 residents and returning residents.
| Topic | What applies to new olim |
|---|---|
| Health coverage | Free basic health insurance for the first six months for olim without income. Olim who get dmei kiyum from Misrad HaKlita afterwards can get six more months, but must tell Bituach Leumi; it is not automatic. Not free for former A-1 visa holders. |
| When payments start | After six months, or as soon as you start working. If you are working, the contributions are deducted from your salary. If not, arrange payments with Bituach Leumi. |
| Child allowance | Families are eligible right after aliyah and the Misrad HaKlita meeting. Each child also gets a savings account, and parents have six months to choose a savings plan before one is opened automatically. |
| Travel abroad | Tell Bituach Leumi whenever you leave Israel for a month or more, for any reason. Failing to do so can cancel your residency, which affects health care and other benefits. |
| Phone and online | The main line is *6050 and asks for a four-digit PIN. A personal online account handles travel notices and payments. |
Reading a Bituach Leumi letter in five steps
Find the branch
The letterhead says המוסד לביטוח לאומי, and the letter usually names the סניף (branch) handling your file: that is the branch to contact.
Read the הנדון line
הנדון (ha-nidon) is the subject: a debt (חוב), a claim (תביעה), an allowance (קצבה), or a request for documents.
Find the dates and the amounts
Look for לתשלום עד (pay by), תקופה (the period covered) and סכום (amount). A debt letter often adds ריבית והצמדה, interest and index linkage.
Find what they want from you
Requests start with יש or נא: יש להמציא (you must provide), נא למלא (please fill in), יש לפנות (you must contact).
Answer through the right channel
Your personal account on btl.gov.il, the branch, or the phone line with your PIN. Keep your ID number at hand; you will be asked for it first.
Words in Bituach Leumi letters
- המוסד לביטוח לאומיha-mosad le-bituach leumiThe National Insurance Institute, the full name on the letterhead.
- דמי ביטוחdmei bituachInsurance contributions, what you pay.
- דמי ביטוח בריאותdmei bituach briutHealth insurance contributions, passed on to the kupot cholim.
- קצבהkitzbaA regular allowance or pension, what Bituach Leumi pays you.
- גמלהgimlaBenefit payment, a general word for money you are entitled to.
- קצבת ילדיםkitzbat yeladimChild allowance, paid monthly per child.
- חיסכון לכל ילדchisachon le-chol yeledSavings for every child: the savings account opened for each child.
- תושבותtoshavutResidency, which decides whether you are insured.
- מרכז חייםmerkaz chayimCenter of life: where your home, family, work and school are.
- תביעהtviaA claim for a benefit. In court the same word means a lawsuit.
- דמי אבטלהdmei avtalaUnemployment benefit.
- הבטחת הכנסהhavtachat hachnasaIncome support.
- חובchovDebt, money you owe.
- שובר תשלוםshovar tashlumPayment slip, with a code for paying at the bank or post office.
- הוראת קבעhoraat kevaStanding order, the usual way non-employees pay contributions.
- שהייה בחו״לshehiya be-chulA stay abroad, which you report.
When you call or visit
Male form first, female form second.
| English | Hebrew | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| I’m a new immigrant and I don’t have an income yet. | אני עולה חדש / עולה חדשה ועדיין אין לי הכנסה. | ani oleh chadash / olah chadasha ve-adayin ein li hachnasa |
| I received a letter about a debt. | קיבלתי מכתב על חוב. | kibalti michtav al chov |
| I started working this month. | התחלתי לעבוד החודש. | hitchalti laavod ha-chodesh |
| I want to report that I receive dmei kiyum. | אני רוצה לדווח שאני מקבל / מקבלת דמי קיום. | ani rotze / rotza ledave’ach she-ani mekabel / mekabelet dmei kiyum |
| I’m going abroad for two months. | אני יוצא / יוצאת לחו״ל לחודשיים. | ani yotze / yotzet le-chul le-chodshayim |
| The child allowance hasn’t arrived. | קצבת הילדים עוד לא נכנסה. | kitzbat ha-yeladim od lo nichnesa |
| How do I set up a standing order? | איך מסדירים הוראת קבע? | eich masdirim horaat keva |
| Which form do I need? | איזה טופס אני צריך / צריכה? | eize tofes ani tzarich / tzricha |
| Can you send it to my personal account? | אפשר לשלוח את זה לאזור האישי שלי? | efshar lishloach et ze la-ezor ha-ishi sheli |
Photograph the letter, read it in English
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Frequently asked questions
Do new olim have to pay Bituach Leumi?
Not at first, if you have no income: Nefesh B’Nefesh says olim start paying after six months, or as soon as they start working. Employees pay through their salary.
When does the child allowance start?
Nefesh B’Nefesh says families are eligible right after aliyah and their Misrad HaKlita meeting. If nothing arrives within 60 days of aliyah, it suggests calling its answers line.
Do I have to tell Bituach Leumi when I travel?
Yes, if you leave for a month or more, for any reason. You can report it in your personal account on the Bituach Leumi website.
Is Bituach Leumi the same as my kupat cholim?
No. Bituach Leumi collects the health insurance contributions and pays them to the kupot cholim. Your doctor, clinic and membership card are with the kupah.
Does Bituach Leumi have information in English?
Yes. btl.gov.il has an English section with general information. Letters about your own file usually come in Hebrew, which is where a translator helps.
Official sources
Rules, amounts and deadlines change. Check the official page before you act on anything here.
- Nefesh B’Nefesh: Bituach Leumichecked September 29, 2026
- Nefesh B’Nefesh: Aliyah rights and benefits (health coverage)checked September 29, 2026
- Nefesh B’Nefesh: Your first steps after making aliyah (child benefits)checked September 29, 2026
- Nefesh B’Nefesh: Timetable of aliyah benefitschecked September 29, 2026
- Bituach Leumi: English websitechecked September 29, 2026