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How long does it take to register a company in Israel?

Registering a private company in Israel is fast. Once the incorporation documents are filed with the Registrar of Companies under the Companies Law 5759-1999, a company number and certificate of incorporation are typically issued within one to several business days. Online filings through the Corporations Authority are often processed within a day or two, while paper filings take longer. Preparing the documents and the later steps, such as opening a bank account and registering with the tax authorities, usually take more time than the incorporation itself.

Incorporation in Israel is governed by the Companies Law 5759-1999 and handled by the Registrar of Companies (Rasham HaChavarot) within the Israel Corporations Authority. To register, you file an application form, the company's articles of association (takanon), and signed declarations by the first directors and shareholders, all certified by an Israeli lawyer. There is no minimum capital requirement and a company can have a single shareholder and a single director. Once the file is complete and the fee is paid, the Registrar issues a nine-digit company number and a certificate of incorporation, and the company legally exists from that moment. Most of the elapsed time in a clean filing comes from gathering and certifying the paperwork rather than from the Registrar's processing.

Foreign founders do not need to travel to Israel to incorporate. A local lawyer can register the company using a power of attorney and documents signed and notarized abroad, which is the usual route for overseas investors. The realistic timeline to a fully operational company is longer than the incorporation date suggests. After the company number is issued, you still need to open an Israeli bank account, which involves bank compliance checks that can take weeks, and to open files with the Income Tax Authority, VAT, and the National Insurance Institute before trading. Building these steps into the schedule prevents the common mistake of signing contracts before the company can actually invoice or be paid. Our guide on how to form a company in Israel walks through each stage in order.

⚖ In Practice
  • Governing law: Companies Law 5759-1999
  • Competent authority: Registrar of Companies (Rasham HaChavarot), Israel Corporations Authority (Rashut HaTagidim)
  • Incorporation time: typically 1 to 5 business days once a complete file is submitted; online filings are fastest
  • Registration fee: approximately NIS 2,600 (2026), plus an annual fee of roughly NIS 1,500 if paid early in the year
  • Documents: application form, articles of association, and certified director and shareholder declarations
  • After incorporation: bank account opening and tax, VAT, and National Insurance files usually add several weeks

From the full guide: How to Form a Company in Israel: Guide for Foreign Investors

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Get a Free Consultation with Adv. Eli ShimonyPrepared under the direction of Adv. Eli Shimony, Eli Shimony Law Office · Editorial policy

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