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IsraelCitizenship

Naturalisation of permanent residents in Israel

Naturalisation is the procedure by which permanent residents whose centre of life is in Israel obtain Israeli citizenship. The application is filed with the Population and Immigration Authority, which considers the documents and decides whether to grant citizenship.

Visa term
Citizenship has no end date.
Work
An Israeli citizen works without a permit.
Residence
A valid permanent residence status and settled life in Israel are required.
Next
Permanent residence is a compulsory stage before naturalisation.

Source: Population and Immigration Authority of Israel (PIBA), gov.il

Who can apply for naturalisation

Conditions for permanent residents

  • Is in Israel at the time the application is filed
  • Has lived in Israel for 3 of the last 5 years before filing the application
  • Holds valid permanent resident status
  • Has settled in Israel or intends to settle there
  • Has at least a basic command of Hebrew
  • Has renounced their previous citizenship or can confirm that it will cease after naturalisation

What it costs

Fee for the naturalisation application (payment by bank card only)195 ILS
Fee with a 50% discount for serving soldiers, reservists on active duty and national civil service volunteers97,5 ILS

Documents to gather

The following must be prepared for the naturalisation application:

  • Identity card (teudat zehut)
  • Foreign passport or travel document
  • Evidence of a centre of life in Israel over the past 3 years
  • Completed naturalisation declaration (Naturalization declaration 1)
  • Completed declaration on additional citizenship (Naturalization declaration 2)

How the process runs

How to file a naturalisation application:

  1. 1

    Download and complete the forms

    Download the naturalisation declaration, the declaration on additional citizenship and the annex with evidence of the centre of life (Evidence of Center of Life) from the website of the Population and Immigration Authority.

  2. 2

    Collect the documents

    Prepare the identity card, the foreign passport and evidence of a centre of life in Israel over the past 3 years.

  3. 3

    Pay the fee

    Pay 195 shekels by bank card; serving soldiers, reservists on active duty and national civil service volunteers pay half the amount.

  4. 4

    File the application and receive the decision

    The documents and the paid fee are submitted to the Population and Immigration Authority; the authority considers the application and decides whether to grant citizenship.

Who you can bring with you

Once citizenship has been granted, a parent may separately arrange it for minor children living in Israel.

Children under 18, where at least one parent is an Israeli citizen and the child's centre of life is in Israel
the service is free of charge; the consent of both parents is required — in person at an office of the Population and Immigration Authority or by notarised declaration; in the event of divorce, a court order granting sole custody to the applying parent may be submitted instead of the other parent's consent

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to citizenship

Naturalisation is granted at the discretion of the Minister of the Interior.

Frequently asked questions about Naturalisation of permanent residents

Who can apply for naturalisation in Israel?
Permanent residents who are in Israel, have lived in the country for 3 of the last 5 years before filing, hold valid permanent resident status, have settled or intend to settle in Israel, have at least a basic command of Hebrew and have renounced their previous citizenship or can confirm that it will cease after naturalisation.
How much does naturalisation cost and how is it paid?
The fee is 195 shekels, and payment is accepted by bank card only. Serving soldiers, reservists on active duty and national civil service volunteers pay half that amount.
Is it necessary to renounce your previous citizenship on naturalisation?
Yes. One of the conditions of naturalisation is renunciation of the other citizenship, or proof that it will cease once Israeli citizenship is granted.
Which documents are needed for naturalisation?
An identity card, a foreign passport or travel document, evidence of a centre of life in Israel over the past 3 years, the completed naturalisation declaration and the declaration on additional citizenship.
Can citizenship be arranged for children after a parent's naturalisation?
Yes, through a separate free service: a parent who is an Israeli citizen applies for a child under 18 if the child's centre of life is in Israel and both parents have consented. In the event of divorce, a court order granting sole custody to the applying parent may be submitted instead of the other parent's consent.
Where can I ask questions about naturalisation?
The Population and Immigration Authority: the Piba call centre on *3450, from abroad +972-2-6294666, or by email at info@piba.gov.il.

Other ways to move to Israel

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Israel.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.