Use, maintenance from abroad, possible letting, taxation, choice of region: the key points of owning a second home in Israel.
For many French-speaking families, a home in Israel begins as a pied-à-terre: a place for the holidays, for vacations and family stays — sometimes with the idea of settling there one day. It is a project of the heart, and one that benefits from being prepared methodically.
1. Clarify how you will use it
- How many weeks a year will you live there? In which seasons?
- For whom: a couple, an extended family, several generations?
- And in the future: could the house become your main residence?
The answers shape everything else: size, type of property (an apartment with services or a house with a garden), location.
2. Choose the location with travel in mind
A pied-à-terre is often enjoyed over short stays: the distance from Ben Gurion Airport and proximity to shops, synagogues or the beach matter more than they would day to day. Around the Sea of Galilee, the town offers life on foot; hilltop villages such as Poria Illit offer calm and views.
3. Plan for maintenance from abroad
A property left empty for part of the year needs organising: routine upkeep, garden, pool, air conditioning, checks after heavy rain or intense heat. Set aside an annual budget and have a trusted person on site.
4. Letting: check before you buy
If you are considering letting the property while you are away, check before you buy: the rules of the building or the locality, the applicable regulations and the taxation of rental income, in Israel and in your country of residence.
5. Taxation on purchase
In Israel, purchase tax depends in particular on whether the property is your only home or an additional one, and on your status. For a buyer who is not an Israeli resident, the applicable scale is generally less favourable than for a resident buying their only home. The exact amount must be calculated by your lawyer.
6. Your obligations in your country of residence
A bank account opened in Israel, any rental income or the value of the property may give rise to reporting obligations in your country of residence. For France, see Buying in Israel while living in France.
Official sources and references
- Israel Tax Authority — purchase tax: gov.il
- Declaration of accounts held abroad (France, form 3916): impots.gouv.fr
