The short answer
baba translates a Arnona Bill as a PDF (up to 20 pages) or by camera if you only have the printed page, so you can read what it says in your own language.
- An arnona bill is a recurring municipal property tax charge, typically covering a two-month period, based on the size of the property and its use (residential, commercial). Bills usually show a property reference number, the billing period, the amount due, and whether any discount is already applied.
- baba does not produce certified, sworn or notarised translations, and makes no claim about what any Israeli institution accepts.
What is a Arnona Bill?
Sent by: Your local municipality (עירייה) or regional council (מועצה מקומית) — Israel’s municipal property tax, billed to whoever occupies the property.
An arnona bill is a recurring municipal property tax charge, typically covering a two-month period, based on the size of the property and its use (residential, commercial). Bills usually show a property reference number, the billing period, the amount due, and whether any discount is already applied.
What it usually contains
- A property reference number (מספר נכס) and address
- The billing period and area in square metres
- The rate (תעריף) and total amount due
- Any discount (הנחה) already applied, and how to apply for one if not
Hebrew terms and fields olim get wrong
- Assuming a discount (הנחה) — for new olim, students, single parents, or others — is automatic. Most discounts must be applied for at the municipality with supporting documents, and are not backdated by default.
- Confusing the billed area in square metres (שטח במ"ר) with the apartment’s marketed size, since municipalities sometimes measure differently than a listing did.
- Ignoring a small recurring charge and letting several billing periods lapse, which is how a manageable amount grows into a serious arrears (פיגור) case.
| Hebrew | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| ארנונה | arnona | municipal property tax |
| חיוב | chiyuv | charge, amount due |
| הנחה | hanacha | discount |
| שטח במ"ר | shetach bemetrim revu'im | area in square metres |
| תעריף | ta'arif | rate |
| מונה מים | mone mayim | water meter (sometimes billed together) |
| פיגור בתשלום | pigur betashlum | payment arrears |
| עיקול | ikul | seizure or lien, for serious arrears |
| זיכוי | zikuy | credit |
| מספר נכס | mispar neches | property reference number |
Deadlines and consequences to watch for
- Arnona bills state their own due date for that billing period; discounts generally must be requested, not assumed, and eligibility windows vary by municipality and by discount type.
- Unpaid arnona can escalate into formal enforcement, including a lien (עיקול) on a bank account or salary, typically routed through the Enforcement and Collection Authority (הוצאה לפועל).
None of this is legal or financial advice. Discount eligibility and payment arrangements vary by municipality — contact your local arnona department (מחלקת ארנונה) directly with your property reference number.
How do I translate my own Arnona Bill?
Paper → camera
Photograph the document flat, in even light, with the whole page in frame, and translate the image. Printed official Hebrew, without vowel points, is the easiest case for camera translation.
File or scan → PDF
baba handles PDFs up to 20 pages per document, including scanned pages via built-in OCR — useful for a multi-page contract or a report packet.
PDF translation and camera translation of full documents and images are Pro features, available on a 7-day free trial. The free plan covers typed text: 2,500 characters per month with a free account, and 1,000 as a guest with no login. If you only need to check a phrase or a paragraph you can retype, start with typed-text translation for free; switch to Pro for the full document.
Frequently asked questions
Do I automatically get a discount on arnona as a new immigrant?
No. Most arnona discounts, including ones for new olim, are applied for at the municipality with supporting documents — they are not automatic just because you qualify.
Why did my arnona amount change?
Rates, discount status, and even the measured area can change between billing periods. The current bill’s breakdown of rate and area is the fastest way to see what changed.
What happens if I don’t pay an arnona bill?
Arrears can escalate to formal debt collection over time, including account or salary liens. See our hotzaa lapoal notice page for what that process looks like once it starts.
Is arnona the same as a water or electricity bill?
No, though some municipalities bill water on the same statement. Arnona is specifically the municipal property tax; water and electricity are separate utilities with separate providers.
Can baba translate a scanned arnona bill?
Yes, PDF translation handles a scanned or emailed bill up to 20 pages, and camera translation handles a paper bill you only have as a printout.
What baba does not do
- baba tells you what the document says. A deadline, an appeal, a status decision, or a payment demand still warrants a person who knows the Israeli system — often the sending office itself, or a qualified lawyer, accountant, or advisor.
- baba does not produce certified, sworn or notarised translations, and makes no claim about what any agency, bank, employer, or institution will accept.
- PDF translation covers 20 pages per document; camera translation works best on printed text rather than handwriting.
- The free tier is 2,500 characters per month with a free account, or 1,000 as a guest with no login — enough for a short message, not a full document. See pricing.