Like all employees in Israel, foreign caregivers are entitled to take off 9 paid holidays per year. Here’s how it works: Designation of Holidays At the beginning of employment, caregivers should specify which holidays they wish to observe for the duration of their employment. Caregivers may choose to observe either the calendar of their country or Israel’s national holidays. Payment for Work on Holidays If a caregiver works on a designated holiday (rather than take it off), t

Israel boasts a highly developed (and heavily subsidized) system of live-in care that enables seniors to age in place and maintain maximum independence, even when they require full assistance in their activities of daily living. Stories abound of kind, compassionate and skilled caregivers who become like family members, caring for elderly loved ones as if they were their own parents. But there are also heartbreaking stories – stories of neglect and abuse, undetected in a hom

Permits and payments and pensions, oh my! The process of hiring a foreign caregiver can be daunting. Here is what you need to know: Permit To hire a foreign caregiver, you will need to obtain a Permit (“heiter hasaka”) from the Israel Ministry of Population and Immigration. Permits are granted only to Individuals living in the community (i.e., their own home or independent living facilities referred to as “diyur moogan”) who require full-time care or supervision and who meet

In August 2022 individuals logging into the Bituach Leumi website noticed that requirements regarding Bituach Leumi (National Insurance) payments for foreign caregivers had changed. Unfortunately, but the instructions regarding the change were contradictory and confusing. Of late, however, employers and agencies have received written notice of the change and its effective date. Here is what you need to know: As of August 2022, every employer must make Bituach Leumi payments f

Ask anyone who has done it, the process of hiring a foreign caregiver in Israel is daunting. Beyond the bureaucracy of applying for a permit, “Chok Siyud” (Bituach Leumi’s long-term care benefits) and other related benefits, the real challenge is finding the right match. The hiring process is a little like a matchmaking service – asking the right questions in the interview will increase the odds of a good fit. Here are some tips: Breaking the Ice Just like any new relationsh

Base Salary Base Salary is linked to the Israeli minimum wage, currently ILS 6248/month (as of April 1, 2025). More experienced caregivers may ask for more. Many caregivers will ask to be paid “pocket money” of ILS 100/week as a cash advance, which is deducted from the Base Salary at the end of the month. It is important to note that “pocket money” that is paid over and above the Base Salary is considered additional wages and factor into the calculation of social benefits.

It sounded so easy. “Mom, it’s time to hire a caregiver”. Except it was everything but easy. Despite your perception of her obvious need,...