Last Updated on March 10, 2023

The information and links contained in this article are for general educational purposes and should not be viewed as recommendations of any product or service.

Anyone who has been reading this blog knows that I am huge fan of practical quality content. A free blog, video or webinar is not about replacing personal professional advice. But it can be a great starting point for taking the first steps, knowing what questions to ask, and getting clarity on what you can and can’t handle on your own.

Moving to Israel and learning the ins and outs of a whole new system can be very challenging. Luckily, there is plenty of useful content out there that you can access for free without having to sit through a sales pitch. The goal of this downloadable guide is to gather and organize some of the best of that content. The key here is to provide quality free content that helps Olim with practical information on important financial topics in English.

All the topics covered in the MASTER LIST!

Pre-Aliyah checklists

Make your move to Israel as smooth as possible with these helpful checklists

Post-Aliyah guides

Things you should do now that you have arrived!

Apartment search

Discover the ins and outs of searching for a great apartment rental.

Registering as an Atzmai (עצמאי, independent contractor)

Anything that involves lots of government bureaucracy can be intimidating. Setting up a small business is no exception, but many find the dream of building their own company to be well worth the hassle.

Banking in Israel

There aren’t many Olim who love the Israeli banking system. Like it or not, learning to navigate the banks here in Israel is an important part of a financially successful Aliyah.

Budgeting

Tools and resources for building a budget in Israel

Buying abroad

Ordering items from the world’s most popular ecommerce sites can be a great way to save money on some items that are more expensive in Israel. The key is to make sure your order stays under $75 to avoid VAT taxes and fees.

Currency conversion

Managing currency exchange is one of the most frequently discussed topics amongst Olim.

Credit cards

Credit cards in the US and Israel are very different. Here are some resources to understand the pros and cons of using both US and Israeli credit cards and how to avoid unnecessary fees.

Employee stock option plans (ESOP)

Common in the Israel’s tech sector, ESOP plans are both potentially lucrative and often confusing. If you are considering a career with this incentive attached, here is some valuable reading for you.

Filling out your FBAR

If your an American and you have even one penny more than $10,000 in accounts outside the US at any point during the year, don’t forget about the FBAR!

Completing your 101 form (טופס 101)

Every newly hired employee in Israel has to fill out a 101 form when they start their new job. Here are some guides to help you through it.

Understanding your 106 form (טופס 106)

Everything you need to know about the end-of-year form given to you by your employer.

Investing

The world of finance is vast, but we did our best to shrink it down for you.

Car insurance

Anyone who has spent even 5 minutes on the roads here in Israel knows this is an important topic.

Health insurance

Needless to say, healthcare systems in the US and Israel are very different from each other.

Other insurance

Hey, insurance isn’t always the most interesting topic. Like it or not, it can come in handy when you need it most.

Job hunting

Searching for a job in a new country can be tough. Here are some great places to get started.

Keren Hishtalmut (קרן השתלמות)

One of the best tax advantaged plans in Israel, this employee benefit could be more valuable than a raise.

Mortgage

Likely the largest loan you will ever take, here are some important details about mortgages.

Olim rights and benefits

Nefesh B’Nefesh is the go to place for understanding Aliyah rights and benefits.

Your pay stub (תלוש משכורת)

When working for an Israeli company, every month you will get a “Tlush” with detailed information about your earnings, benefits and withholdings. Here is how you can make sense of it all.

Pensions & Retirement

The retirement system in Israel and the US have a lot of differences and many prefer just to ignore it rather than making any changes. Understanding your pension plan and how to make changes to it can have a massive impact on your retirement nest egg.

PFICs

Often described as an American expats biggest investment trap, PFICs are a major tax issue every American living in Israel needs to be aware of.

Buying property in Israel

Buying a home in Israel is not without its complications. For many, the dream of owning property in Israel is well worth all the headaches involved in the purchase.

Government savings plans for kids (חיסכון לכל ילד)

Starting in 2017, the government opened and began making monthly deposits to a savings account for every eligible child in Israel until they turn 18. Here are some important details and things to watch out for, especially if you are American.

Social Security

Social security may still be a significant part of your financial plan after you make Aliyah.

US and Israeli Taxes

As they like to say, the only things that are certain in life are death and taxes.

Tium Mas (תיאום מס)

If you have more than one job, don’t forget about this very important step.

Wills in Israel

Do you need a new will when you move to Israel? What changes need to be made? Here are some resources:

Working internationally

Moving to Israel does not mean you have to work for an Israeli company. With remote work a fast growing trend, the opportunities are endless. Just make sure you understand all the logistic and tax ramifications of working for a foreign company.