The Legal Requirement Under Israeli Companies Law
Moreover, Under Israeli Companies Law, every foreign company that registers a branch in Israel must appoint a local contact person. This individual must be based in Israel and must be authorised to receive official correspondence, legal summons, court documents, and regulatory notices on behalf of the foreign company. Their details — name, address, and identity information — are registered with the Registrar of Companies and are publicly accessible. Failing to maintain a current, active local contact person is a compliance violation that can attract penalties and operational complications.
What the Local Contact Person Does
Specifically, The local contact person’s role is narrowly defined: they act as the official Israeli point of contact for legal and regulatory correspondence. This includes receiving notices from the Registrar of Companies, court summons, tax authority correspondence, and any official document that must be formally delivered to the company in Israel. The local contact person does not manage the business, make decisions, or assume any directorial or management responsibilities — their function is purely administrative and compliance-focused.
Local Contact Person vs. Company Director
These are distinct roles with very different responsibilities. A company director holds fiduciary duties, participates in decision-making, and bears legal responsibility for company governance. A local contact person has no management authority whatsoever — they simply ensure official correspondence reaches the company reliably. Many foreign companies appoint a professional services firm as their local contact person, benefiting from experience in handling regulatory correspondence correctly and efficiently.
Keeping Your Appointment Current
Additionally, If the appointed local contact person changes — for example, if they leave Israel or if you change service providers — the update must be reported to the Registrar of Companies promptly. Allowing the local contact person registration to lapse or become outdated is a compliance breach. Our service includes full management of Registrar notifications whenever your contact person details need to be updated.
