Buying a New Car from a Car Dealer
Olim are entitled to buy cars in Israel at a reduced tax rate, within three years after making Aliyah.

There are two main restrictions when purchasing a new car using Oleh benefits:

  1. If the Oleh or Olah wishes to sell the car within four years of the date of purchase, he or she will be obligated to pay back the amount of the reduction received at the time of purchase. The restriction will be automatically lifted after 4 years. In order to calculate or pay off the remainder of taxes left to be paid on the car earlier than the 4 year mark, fill out this online form, or email [email protected]. After paying the taxes, the restriction will be lifted.
    You must receive confirmation that the restriction has been lifted before transferring ownership on the car or allowing others to drive.
  2. Only the Oleh/Olah who used his/her benefits to purchase the car, will be allowed to drive it, in addition to their spouse. (If you would like to receive permission for additional drivers such as family members, friends, etc., you must get written permission from the Customs Authority.)  Children of Olim who would like to drive a car purchased with rights must have the same address as their parents on the sefach of their Teudat Zehut, following approval as mentioned above.

The cost of a new car for an Oleh is calculated as follows:

50% + VAT on all vehicles: ([car value + (car value *50%)] + [(car value) + (car value *50%) *17% VAT]) irrespective of engine size or car’s country of origin.  For example, if the car’s worth is $10,000, it would be calculated as follows:

Tax on the car: 10,000 x 50% = $5,000
The car value + the tax = $15,000
VAT payment: 15,000 x 17% = $2,500
Total tax payment: 5,000 + 2,500 = $7,500

In order to buy a new car with your Oleh benefits, you need to:

  1. Find a car dealer and pick the car that suits your needs.
  2. You will need to present the following documents to your dealer:
    • A copy of your Teudat Oleh
    • A copy of your Israeli driver’s license (acquired via the conversion of a foreign driver’s license).
    • Your original driver’s license from your country of origin (which was issued at least three months prior to your entry to Israel). Make sure to keep a copy as the original will stay with the dealership!
    • A copy of your foreign passport with Aliyah visa
    • A copy of your Teudat Zehut.
  3. The car dealer will send all the documentation to Meches (the Customs Authority), and within 10 days to three weeks your car should be released to you, with the reduced tax benefit.

NOTE: You can now purchase a vehicle without an Israeli driver’s license during your first year after Aliyah, as long as you commit to converting your license before the first year is up.  If you do NOT convert your license within this time-frame you will be required to pay back the reduced taxes.  You will be required to present your Israeli license to the customs authority.

If you bought a car with Aliyah benefits and have a child who holds a valid driver’s license:
Your child can only drive the car if he or she receives permission from the Customs Authority. To obtain permission, the child must go to the nearest Customs office with a request (which can also be emailed or faxed), a copy of his or her driver’s license, a written request from you (i.e., the car’s owner), his or her Teudat Zehut, and the car’s license. The approval is granted for a year and can be extended.

Buying a Hybrid/EV car
Olim who buy a new hybrid or hybrid plug in should ask for the Olim discount, as there is no longer a built in discount.

There is a discount on full electric cars, though one must ask the dealer for the amounts of the regular vs. Oleh discounts, in order to determine which is more advantageous.

Buying a Second Hand Car Passport to Passport
Olim who wish to sell their car within four years of the date of purchase and not incur a penalty may do so by selling their car to another Oleh who still has rights to purchase a car with reduced taxes, in a process called passport to passport. The seller and buyer have to go to the local office of the Customs Authority (you can find a list here: Customs Authority ). The Customs Authority will determine the final value of the car and whether there are any additional taxes. The buyer has to present a valid Israeli driver’s license and their Teudat Oleh. A new four-year restriction on selling the car will begin the day the car is listed on the buyer’s name.

Buying a Second Hand Car from a Non-Oleh
If you decide to buy a used car from an Israeli, you are not using your Oleh benefits, and therefore you are still eligible to buy a car (new or passport to passport) within 3 years after your Aliyah using your benefits.
The procedure for buying a used car is quite simple. After finding the car and deciding on the car’s price with the seller, you have to go to any post office together with the seller and transfer the ownership to your name. This process costs 187 NIS, and the buyer is obligated to pay this fee in cash at the post office.

Updated: May 13, 2024

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