Government & Regulatory Affairs in Israel

Essentials guide · Source-checked research73% of statements checked against a source9 checked against an official source32 checked against a secondary sourceChecked 2026-10-195 held back until checked against an official source8 topics include AI-written statements, not source-checkedNot yet professionally reviewed

• Foreign experts are usually employed in Israel on a B/1 work visa, which is issued only after the Population and Immigration Authority approves the request.

  The B/1 visa is given to experts and artists, among others. Israeli missions may also ask for a police certificate and a medical certificate. Other sectors (agriculture, construction, caregiving) operate under separate quota systems.Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) · checked 2026-10-19

• Public bodies in Israel must generally award contracts through tenders under the Mandatory Tenders Law, 1992.

  Exemptions and thresholds are set in regulations; defence procurement has its own rules.AI-written, not source-checked

• Israel is a party to the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement.

  Coverage is limited to listed entities and contracts above GPA thresholds.AI-written, not source-checked

• The Israel Innovation Authority (formerly the Office of the Chief Scientist) provides incentives for research and development.

  Funded know-how may be subject to conditions on transfer of intellectual property or production abroad.Auren · checked 2026-10-19

• Most land in Israel is state-owned and managed by the Israel Land Authority, and rights are typically granted as long-term leases rather than freehold.

  Restrictions apply to transfers of certain Israel Land Authority rights to foreign persons; private freehold land also exists.AI-written, not source-checked

• Israel planned an optional import route, scheduled to begin on 1 January 2025, that lets products be imported and marketed on the basis of compliance with European Union directives or regulations, alongside existing routes based on Israeli, US or other standards.

  Excludes food, motor vehicles and items under official fire safety standards (except some portable firefighting equipment). Further directives, such as toy safety and food contact materials, were phased in from early 2025. The Standards Authority enforces compliance, and importers remain responsible for meeting the standards.US International Trade Administration · checked 2026-10-19

• Mergers that meet statutory thresholds must be notified to the Israel Competition Authority and cannot be completed without the Competition Commissioner's approval, under the Economic Competition Law, 1988.

  Filing is required where combined Israeli sales in the preceding year exceed NIS 423,780,000 and at least two parties each exceed NIS 23,040,000, or where the combined or a single party's market share exceeds 50%. The initial review period is 30 days, extendable; completing early can lead to fines or criminal charges.The Legal 500 · checked 2026-10-19

• An advisory committee set up by the Security Cabinet in October 2019 assesses the national security aspects of foreign investment in finance, communications, infrastructure, transport and energy, supporting the regulators that license those investments.

  Members are senior representatives of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Defense and the National Security Council. It began operating on 1 January 2020.UNCTAD Investment Policy Hub · checked 2026-10-19

Read the full guide: Licensing, incentives and property · Deals, competition and restructuring