Sal Klita: Israel's Absorption Basket for New Immigrants — A Complete 2026 Guide

For most people planning Aliyah, the financial side of the move is one of the biggest unknowns. Israel has built a comprehensive absorption system precisely because the government wants immigration to succeed: the Sal Klita — literally "absorption basket" in Hebrew — is the core of that system, providing cash flow and housing support through the most financially precarious period of any international move.

If you are planning Aliyah or arrived recently, this guide covers the payment structure, 2026 NIS amounts, and everything Israel's absorption system provides beyond the basket itself — so you know exactly what to claim and when.

1. Who Qualifies for Sal Klita

The Sal Klita is available to every person who enters Israel as an Oleh (new immigrant) under the Law of Return 1950 (Chok HaShvut). The Law of Return extends Aliyah rights not only to Jewish people but also to their non-Jewish spouses, children, and grandchildren, and the spouses of qualifying children and grandchildren. All of these family members who make Aliyah together receive the Sal Klita.

Specifically, the following groups qualify for the full basket:

• Jewish people of any nationality making Aliyah for the first time
• The non-Jewish spouse of a qualifying Oleh, if they arrive together or join the Oleh within a reasonable period after Aliyah
• Children and grandchildren of Jewish people who qualify under the grandchild clause of Section 4A of the Law of Return
• Minor children of an Oleh who arrive with or shortly after the parent

Those who do not qualify for Sal Klita include: tourists and visitors, holders of B/1 work permits, foreign nationals entering through family reunification under the Citizenship Law (rather than the Law of Return), and individuals who previously made Aliyah and then formally cancelled their immigrant status. Returning Israeli residents (toshavim hozrim) who were abroad for at least six years may qualify for a reduced package under a parallel program administered by Misrad HaKlita, but this is a separate entitlement from the full Sal Klita.

2. How the Payments Work

The Sal Klita is not a lump sum. It is structured as an initial grant at arrival followed by monthly transfers over the first 12 months. The monthly pacing is deliberate: steady income through the adjustment period is more useful than one large payment that runs out before the immigrant has found stable work.

The payment sequence works as follows:

Airport Grant (Day One). Upon arriving at Ben Gurion Airport with a valid Aliyah visa, the new Oleh is met by a representative of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. At the airport desk, Misrad HaKlita issues an initial cash payment — the "airport grant" — in Israeli shekels. This is the immediate liquidity boost intended to cover the first few days of expenses: transport, a hotel room or first-night accommodation, SIM card, and basics.

Bank Account Registration (First Week). Within the first week after landing, the new Oleh must open an Israeli bank account and register it with Misrad HaKlita. All subsequent monthly payments are transferred to this account. Banks popular among new Olim for their English-language service include Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, and Discount Bank — all operate dedicated Aliyah reception services at their central branches.

Monthly Transfers (Months 1–6). Misrad HaKlita transfers the monthly Sal Klita grant directly to the registered bank account, typically in the first week of each calendar month. The grant is paid for six calendar months after the month of Aliyah. Some categories — including those who arrive with young children, those enrolling in intensive Ulpan language courses, and those with specific medical needs — may be eligible for an extended grant period that Misrad HaKlita assesses individually.

Rental Assistance (Months 1–12). Rental assistance (see Section 4) runs on a separate track from the monthly cash grant and continues for up to 12 months. The two tracks run in parallel during the first six months, giving new Olim two concurrent streams of financial support during the most critical phase of absorption.

3. 2026 Grant Amounts by Family Size

Sal Klita amounts are set by government decision and revised periodically, typically at the start of each year. The following figures reflect the amounts in effect as of January 2026, as published by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. All amounts are in New Israeli Shekels (NIS). Figures should be verified directly with Misrad HaKlita or Nefesh B'Nefesh before relying on them for financial planning, as mid-year adjustments do occur.

Family Composition	Airport Grant (NIS)	Monthly Grant (NIS)	Total Grant (NIS)
Single adult	~3,500	~2,500	~18,500
Couple (2 adults)	~5,500	~4,000	~29,500
Family — 2 adults + 1 child	~7,000	~5,000	~37,000
Family — 2 adults + 2 children	~8,000	~5,800	~42,800
Each additional child	+~500	+~600	+~4,100

* Approximate figures based on 2026 Misrad HaKlita published rates. Actual amounts may vary by exact arrival date and individual assessment. Verify current figures at gov.il (Ministry of Aliyah and Integration) or through Nefesh B'Nefesh before financial planning.

Age at Aliyah affects the grant structure for adults. New immigrants aged 18–29 who are eligible for IDF service may have their Sal Klita deferred pending assessment of their military status through the Israel Defense Forces Absorption Authority. Those who are drafted receive a parallel military allowance structure instead of the civilian Sal Klita during their service period.

4. Rental Assistance (Dmei Shkira)

Separate from the monthly cash grant, Misrad HaKlita provides rental assistance — dmei shkira — to help new Olim afford housing during the absorption period. Rental assistance is the second pillar of the Sal Klita package and, for families moving to expensive cities like Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, often the more significant financial benefit.

• Duration: Up to 12 months from the date of Aliyah, with the possibility of an extension for exceptional cases at Misrad HaKlita's discretion.
• Amount: The monthly rental subsidy depends on family size and the geographic zone of the apartment. In 2026, amounts range from approximately NIS 1,200 per month for a single adult in a peripheral area to approximately NIS 2,900 per month for a family with children in a central zone (Tel Aviv metropolitan area, Jerusalem). The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration publishes updated zone maps annually — check gov.il for the current geographic breakdown.
• Conditions: The apartment must be rented under a written lease agreement. The Oleh must submit the lease to their local Misrad HaKlita branch to activate rental payments. Subleases, informal agreements, and living with family members typically do not qualify.
• Absorption centers: New Olim who choose to live in a government-run absorption center (mercaz klita) — subsidized residential facilities run by Misrad HaKlita in cities including Haifa, Jerusalem, Netanya, and Beer Sheva — receive housing and meals directly through the center rather than rental cash payments. Absorption center placement is available for the first 5–6 months and is then evaluated for extension based on individual progress.

5. Health Insurance and Bituach Leumi from Day One

The financial absorption package includes more than cash grants. From the day they receive their Teudat Oleh, new immigrants are entitled to:

Kupat Holim enrollment. Every Oleh must enroll in one of Israel's four licensed health funds — Kupat Holim Clalit, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Meuhedet, or Leumit — within the first three months of Aliyah. The basic health basket (sal briut), defined by law under the National Health Insurance Law 5754-1994, covers primary care, specialist referrals, hospitalization, prescription medications on the approved formulary, and most diagnostic testing. New Olim do not pay the enrollment fee during their first three months — the state covers it automatically.

National Insurance Institute (NII) registration. New immigrants are required to register with the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi) promptly after arrival. Under the National Insurance Law 5754-1995, registration triggers entitlement to child allowances, maternity pay, work injury cover, and other NII benefits that begin to accrue from the date of Aliyah. The NII contribution rate for the first 12 months of Aliyah is calculated on a reduced basis — new immigrants pay contributions on the Sal Klita grant income rather than on full market-rate income until they begin working. Employees who start working for an Israeli employer immediately after Aliyah will have NII deducted by the employer through payroll as with any Israeli employee, at the standard 2026 rates (employee: 0.5% up to the reduced ceiling, 7% above it; employer contributions at 3.55%–7.6%).

Ulpan language study rights. New Olim are entitled to enroll in a government-subsidized Ulpan Hebrew language course — typically 500 hours — free of charge in the first 18 months after Aliyah. Ulpan courses are run directly by Misrad HaKlita at absorption centers, through municipalities, and through accredited private schools operating under the Ministry's funding program. The Hebrew language capability gained in Ulpan directly affects employment prospects and is strongly correlated with successful long-term absorption.

6. Financial Benefits Beyond Sal Klita

The Sal Klita and rental assistance are the most immediate benefits, but Israel provides a broader package of financial entitlements to new immigrants that play out over their first several years. Understanding these before Aliyah — and planning for them — can significantly improve the financial outcome of the move.

10-Year Income Tax Exemption. Under Section 14(a) of the Income Tax Ordinance (Pekudat Mas Hakhnasa), new immigrants receive a 10-year exemption from Israeli income tax on all foreign-source income — including foreign dividends, rental income, capital gains, interest, and most foreign pensions. Israeli-source income is taxable from day one, but income earned from foreign sources during the first decade of Aliyah is entirely exempt from Israeli tax with no reporting requirement. The 10-year clock starts on the date of Aliyah as registered in the Population Registry. For more on this, see the guide on the 10-Year Oleh Tax Exemption.

Purchase Tax Reduction on First Apartment. New immigrants buying their first Israeli residential property within seven years of Aliyah pay a reduced mas rechisha (purchase tax) rate. The standard 2026 non-resident rate for a first property is 8% up to NIS 6,055,070 and 10% above. Olim, by contrast, pay a flat 0.5% on the first NIS 1,874,005 and 5% on the portion above — a dramatic saving on any significant property purchase. The reduced rate applies once per Oleh lifetime; it cannot be used again on a second purchase.

Vehicle Import Exemption. Olim who import a personal vehicle to Israel within three years of their Aliyah date receive a full customs and purchase tax exemption on one vehicle, subject to engine size and value limits. Given that vehicle taxes in Israel typically add 50–80% to a car's purchase price compared with the unlevied value, this exemption is worth tens of thousands of shekels for those planning to bring a vehicle from their home country.

Personal Effects and Professional Equipment. Household furniture, personal belongings, and professional tools and equipment brought to Israel within three years of Aliyah are importable duty-free. The exemption covers items owned by the Oleh before Aliyah; new purchases made abroad specifically for import are not covered.

Mortgage Supplement (Mashkanta for Olim). The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, through the Housing Ministry, operates a dedicated mortgage grant for new immigrants purchasing their first Israeli apartment within seven years of Aliyah. The grant amount in 2026 ranges from approximately NIS 100,000 to NIS 200,000 depending on family size and geographic location, with higher grants for purchases in designated development towns and the Negev and Galilee periphery. This is a non-repayable grant applied directly to reduce the mortgage principal — it does not need to be paid back.

7. How to Apply — Step by Step

The Sal Klita process starts at the airport, not at a desk with a form. There is no separate formal application. What matters is completing each step in the right order — missing one can delay payments by weeks or forfeit them entirely.

Step 1: Pre-Aliyah — Open a file with the Jewish Agency. Start the Aliyah process at your nearest Jewish Agency office abroad (or through Nefesh B'Nefesh if you are North American, South African, or UK-based). Gather required documents: certified evidence of Jewish identity or qualifying family relationship, valid passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate if applicable, police clearance certificates from any country of residence in the past ten years. Jewish Agency processing takes 3–6 months; plan accordingly.

Step 2: Aliyah Visa Issuance. Once the Jewish Agency approves your Aliyah file, it issues an Aliyah B visa (sometimes called the immigrant visa). This document is essential — it is the instrument that grants access to Sal Klita and all other immigrant entitlements at Ben Gurion Airport.

Step 3: Arrival — Ben Gurion Airport Misrad HaKlita Desk. Upon landing, go to the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration arrivals desk before leaving the terminal. The Misrad HaKlita representative will: issue your Teudat Oleh, collect your bank account details (if you already have an Israeli account) or schedule your first Misrad HaKlita office visit, issue the airport cash grant, and hand you a welcome package with contact details, office locations, and your assigned case file number.

Step 4: Open an Israeli Bank Account (within days). Every major Israeli bank operates a dedicated Aliyah reception service and can open an account for a new Oleh presenting a Teudat Oleh and foreign passport. Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, Bank Mizrahi-Tefahot, and Discount Bank all provide English-speaking service at their main branches. Once the account is open, provide the account details to Misrad HaKlita — either in person or through their online portal.

Step 5: Register with Bituach Leumi (within 90 days). Visit the nearest NII (Bituach Leumi) branch with your Teudat Oleh and bank details. This is mandatory for child allowances, work injury cover, and future pension entitlements. Do not delay this step.

Step 6: Activate Rental Assistance (within 30 days of signing lease). Once you have signed a lease, submit it to your local Misrad HaKlita office within 30 days. Submit all required documents in one visit to avoid delays.

Step 7: Enroll in Kupat Holim (within 90 days). Visit any branch of your chosen health fund — Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet, or Leumit — with your Teudat Oleh. You will be enrolled immediately and your health card issued within 1–2 weeks. See the guide on Health Insurance for New Immigrants for a comparison of the four health funds.

8. Common Mistakes That Reduce or Lose the Grant

Sal Klita is automatic in principle, but in practice immigrants frequently miss payments, lose entitlements, or receive less than they are due because of avoidable administrative errors. These are the most common ones to watch for:

• Not registering a bank account quickly. Misrad HaKlita cannot transfer monthly grants without a registered Israeli bank account. Delays in opening an account translate directly into delayed — and potentially forfeited — monthly payments.
• Late submission of the lease for rental assistance. Misrad HaKlita's 30-day window for submitting a lease to activate rental payments is firm in most regional offices. A late submission typically means the first month of rental assistance is lost.
• Moving without updating Misrad HaKlita. If you move to a new apartment during the rental assistance period, you must submit the new lease to Misrad HaKlita. Continuing to claim rental assistance on an old lease after moving out is a compliance violation.
• Leaving Israel for more than 90 consecutive days. Extended absences can trigger a review of immigrant status and suspension of remaining Sal Klita payments. Misrad HaKlita considers an Oleh who spends the majority of their first year outside Israel to have not genuinely absorbed, and may reclaim payments already made.
• Failing to register with Bituach Leumi within 90 days. For families with children, late NII registration causes retroactive child allowance entitlements to be calculated from registration date rather than Aliyah date — a permanent loss of that gap period's allowances.
• Missing the Olim mortgage grant window before signing a purchase agreement. The mortgage grant must be applied for before the purchase agreement is signed. This is the most financially costly mistake to make and the most commonly cited one by immigrant families who bought property without professional guidance.