How to Register a Company in Israel as a Foreigner

Israel welcomes foreign investment and company formation. Non-residents and foreign nationals can fully own and operate an Israeli company without being required to live in the country. This guide walks through the key steps so you know what to expect before you begin.

Choose the Right Entity Type

For most international clients, the preferred option is a private limited company (חברה בערבון מוגבל, or Ltd.). This structure offers limited liability, a clear legal framework under the Israeli Companies Law 5759-1999, and full foreign ownership with no local partner requirement.

An alternative worth knowing about is registering a branch of your existing foreign company in Israel. A branch is not a separate legal entity — it is an extension of the parent company — which has different implications for liability and tax. For most entrepreneurs starting fresh in the Israeli market, the Ltd. structure is the more straightforward choice.

You can read more about both paths here: Israeli Subsidiary Registration and Branch Registration for Foreign Companies in Israel.

Prepare Your Documents

Before filing, you will need to gather several documents. Requirements can vary depending on your specific circumstances, but the standard list typically includes:

• Certified copies of the passports of all shareholders and directors
• Articles of Association (תקנון) — this can follow a standard template or be customised to your needs
• A Power of Attorney authorising a local representative to sign and file on your behalf — this document must be notarised and apostilled in your home country
• Proof of address for shareholders and directors
• A description of the company’s intended business activity

Because documents originating outside Israel need to be apostilled, it is worth starting this process early — the apostille requirement often adds time to the preparation phase.

Submit Your Application to the Registrar of Companies

The official body responsible for company registration in Israel is the Registrar of Companies (רשם החברות, Rasham HaHevrot), which operates under the Ministry of Justice. Your application — including the Articles of Association, shareholder details, and supporting documents — is filed with the Registrar.

The Registrar reviews the submission for completeness and compliance. Once all documents are in order, processing typically takes approximately 7 to 14 business days, though this is an estimate and actual timelines can vary. You will receive a company registration number (מספר חברה) and a Certificate of Incorporation upon approval.

For a full overview of this process, see our guide to Company Registration in Israel.

What Happens After Registration

Registration is the beginning, not the end. Once your company number and certificate are issued, there are several important next steps:

• Tax registration: Your newly incorporated company must register with the Israeli Tax Authority (רשות המסים). This includes obtaining a VAT number and registering for corporate income tax purposes. See our guide on Tax Registration for New Companies in Israel.
• Bank account opening: Israeli banks have their own due diligence requirements, particularly for companies with foreign ownership. Our team can help navigate this process — more information is available on our Bank Account Opening Assistance page.
• Registered address: Your company must have a registered address in Israel. This can be provided by a service firm if you do not have a physical office.

Do You Need to Be in Israel?

In most cases, no. The registration process can be completed remotely through a Power of Attorney that authorises a local representative to act on your behalf. This means you do not need to travel to Israel to incorporate your company, attend the Registrar’s office, or sign documents in person.

This makes Israeli company formation accessible for entrepreneurs anywhere in the world. Learn more about our Online Incorporation service.