Pre and Post Aliyah Planning
Making aliyah is an incredibly exciting and meaningful move, but in order to transition successfully you need to plan properly. For most people, the main concerns will be choosing a community and livelihood. Keep in mind that the standard of living in Israel may be quite different from what you’re used to.
Do your initial research by taking advantage of the many resources available online – including our website Financialguidetoaliyah.com. Reach out to social media groups and benefit from the experiences of others. When you have done your background research you need to sit down and look at your finances and see what, if any, adjustments need to be made. If that’s something you don’t feel confident doing, speak to a professional. There are many factors that need to be considered, including but not limited to, insurance and tax planning.
While it’s crucial to find a community where you feel comfortable, most of the English speaking jobs are located in the center of the country where the cost of living is highest. However, living in the periphery and working in the center is becoming easier. Many companies are flexible with work from home options. In addition, Israel is currently undertaking large public transportation infrastructure projects including train, light rail, and subway systems making it easier and faster to travel long distances to work. In some cases, there are even tax and other financial incentives for periphery residents that offset the extra cost and time for travel. Check the Nefesh B’Nefesh website for a list of communities and their representatives, who will be happy to discuss the pros and cons of living there.
Post Aliyah - Planning after landing
Creating a monthly budget will help inform you of expected cash flows as well as options for affordable living arrangements (click here for a sample budget). Although buying a home in Israel is expensive, the cost of renting is relatively cheap, at an annual expense of about 2-3% of the cost of ownership. (It is advisable to rent rather than buy initially until you are sure of the community that’s right for you). School tuition and medical expenses are also cheaper. However, most consumer products including cars, gas, and food, are more expensive, and salaries are considerably lower. As a new immigrant you will have benefits, including certain tax breaks.
Your budget should take all these things into consideration and leave you with some excess cash for savings and investments. If you currently have an investment portfolio in your country of origin, at some point consider exchanging a portion for Israeli securities to help minimize currency exchange risks in the event that you liquidate investments in the future to support yourself in Israel.
As veteran Anglo Israelis, we will help you plan your finances for aliyah, and advise you on realistic lifestyle and investment options that will maximize your financial assets in Israel and in your country of origin.
Testimonials
Baruch Labinsky is extremely knowledgeable about finance and especially about cross border issues where the structures you set up can make a huge difference to your net income. From the first moment I met him at a NBN conference in Montreal, I knew he would be an invaluable resource in planning my aliyah from a financial perspective. “Invest” the time to read his book and you will tap into a “wealth” of information.
Zev Lanton
Our consultation with Labinsky Financial was informative and thorough. They addressed our needs and concerns professionally, and provided really good financial advice in helping us plan for aliyah.
Yitzchak and Charlotte Friedland
FAQs
How do I know if I can afford to live in Israel?
Your lifestyle in Israel may be very different to that in your home country. There is a good standard of healthcare which is socialized, making it relatively inexpensive and available. Jewish education is also much more affordable. On the other hand, salaries are much lower in Israel compared to other Western countries, although benefits can be negotiated into your package. The costs of housing, cars, food, and gas are also higher. It is therefore crucial to work out a budget and understand the cost of living based on your expectations (click here for a sample budget). At Labinsky Financial we understand the questions you are asking, even the ones you don’t know to verbalize. We will sit with you and discuss your current financial situation, your income and expenditures, and projected lifestyle. As veteran Anglo Israelis we can advise you on the expected cost of living adjustment you may need to make.
Does moving my investments to Israel pose a greater risk?
Many factors affect investment risk. Some are local, while others are tied to global markets. Israel must contend with hostile neighbors and a high level of security and military preparedness, all of which pose a substantial cost to resources and manpower. In addition, the country is undergoing a process of major reforms under a series of unstable governments. Despite these challenges, The Economist ranked Israel as the 4th most successful economy among developed countries for 2022, and in August 2023 the US rating agency Fitch affirmed a credit rating and outlook of A+ and stable. In that same year, Israel had the highest number of billionaires in the Middle East. According to an April 2023 OECD survey, Israel rebounded strongly from Covid-19 and has proven resilient to the war in Ukraine. This was due to a fast vaccination campaign, the strength of the high-tech sector, and self-sufficiency in natural gas. The same report cautions against a growing wealth disparity and the high cost of living. As with other Western countries, Israel currently struggles with inflation pressure and rising interest rates, which have hampered investment. However, unlike other Western countries, the Israeli population is growing and putting demands on economic growth as well as real estate – especially in the residential sector. There are definitely investment opportunities in Israel that rival or exceed those of other Western countries, despite the wars we are forced to fight, hence many corporations and venture capital firms are investing in Israel. However, Olim tend to leave their money in their home country, which is often a major mistake. This lack of monetary aliyah is due to familiarity with the investment setup in their home country as well as the lack of familiarity with the Israeli investment scene and lack of comfort with the Hebrew language. A good financial planner can explain the ropes and help you create an investment portfolio that is diversified, and suited to your risk tolerance, stage of life, and tax exposure.
What kind of salary and expenses can I expect in Israel?
As of June 2023, the average Israeli salary was NIS 13,267. This is a gross amount, before deductions for pension, national insurance, and taxes. In general, salaries are 50-60% lower in Israel for a comparable job in North America. A family of four (two parents and two children) will spend approximately NIS 14,000–15,000 a month. Anglo families tend to spend significantly more due to their higher standard of living.
How should I organize my finances when making aliyah?
There are many factors to consider when organizing your finances for aliyah. Most of these will of course depend on your personal situation. Here are a few examples. Investments in your native country (and native currency) will be exposed to currency exchange risk should you redeem them at a future date as a source of income when living in Israel. It is therefore wise to rebalance your portfolio to include a good representation of Israeli investments. If you are a US citizen and plan to maintain your citizenship while living in Israel, you may be subject to very high taxation on certain Israeli investments according to PFIC. However, this can be avoided with proper investment planning. Insurance policies may not be honored by your insurer once you are living in Israel. It is important to check with them and get written guarantees, or arrange for alternative coverage. Make sure that you will have remote access to all the financial institutions that contain your assets. You don’t want to be in a position where you have to be physically present to perform a transaction. It is always wise to consult with an experienced financial planner who can point out critical international taxation and estate issues, the many differences in the financial systems, and how you can maximize your financial assets in Israel and abroad.