What happens with Bituach Leumi when I move to Cyprus?
Short answer
For the first five years abroad, the National Insurance Institute normally keeps treating you as resident. That keeps your benefits and state health cover, but contributions stay due: at least NIS 266 a month with no income, in 2026.
If you have fully emigrated, you can ask to end your residency earlier with a declaration; it is refused if your spouse or children stay in Israel. After five years abroad, residency is removed, and you can appeal.
Coming back can mean a waiting period for health services of one month for each year away, at least two and at most six, if you ended your residency or missed health payments while abroad for 18 months or more. The waiting period can be bought out.
Cyprus is not on Israel's list of social security agreements, so none of their special rules apply between the two countries.
Sources
- National Insurance Institute: residency when living abroad (Hebrew) btl.gov.il
- National Insurance Institute: ending residency (Hebrew) btl.gov.il
- National Insurance Institute: contributions while abroad (Hebrew) btl.gov.il
- National Insurance Institute: waiting period for health services (Hebrew) btl.gov.il
- National Insurance Institute: social security agreements (Hebrew) btl.gov.il
Information, not advice. This answer describes the published rules as they stand on 12 October 2026, checked against the sources listed. Tax and residence rules depend on your own circumstances and change; check your position with a tax adviser qualified in Israel and in Cyprus before you act on it.
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