What Is a Teudat Zehut (Israeli ID) and Do Foreign Buyers Need One?

A Teudat Zehut (תעודת זהות) is the Israeli national identity card issued to citizens and permanent residents. It's used across nearly every official process in Israel, from opening a bank account to registering property.

Foreign buyers who are not citizens or residents do not have a Teudat Zehut, and don't need one to buy property — a valid foreign passport is generally sufficient for the purchase agreement, Tabu registration, and most bank and legal processes. A new Oleh receives a Teudat Zehut as part of the Aliyah process.

Why it matters for a buyer: if you're a foreign buyer, don't be alarmed if a form or bank asks for a Teudat Zehut — this simply means confirming with your lawyer or banker that your passport number is the correct substitute identifier for that specific process.

Source: Population and Immigration Authority (רשות האוכלוסין וההגירה)