Does an Israeli employer have to provide health insurance for a foreign worker?

Yes. Under Section 1J of the Foreign Workers Law 5751-1991, the employer must provide health insurance (bituach briut) for every foreign worker from the first day of employment, covering hospitalisation, specialist visits, medication, and emergency care. The cost — currently NIS 180–380 per month depending on the plan and the worker's age — must be paid entirely by the employer and cannot be deducted from the worker's salary in a way that reduces it below the statutory minimum wage (NIS 5,880 per month for a full-time position). PIBA-approved plans include coverage through Meuhedet, Maccabi, Leumit, and Clalit.

Failure to provide insurance is treated as a standalone violation by the Labour Inspectorate, separate from the penalty for employing an undocumented worker — the fine is NIS 17,320 per uninsured foreign worker. An employer must also confirm in writing to PIBA, as part of the B/1 visa application, that health insurance will be provided throughout the permit period; without this confirmation, PIBA will not issue the visa. For more detail, see Israel Work Permit Guide: How Foreign Nationals Get a B/1 Work Visa.