Company registration in Israel
An Israeli company can be owned by a non-resident, but registration touches several authorities at once, and a mistake at the first step is expensive to correct later. We handle the whole route: incorporation documents, the Registrar of Companies, tax registration and the bank.
What incorporation involves
- Articles of association setting out the share capital, the shareholders’ rights and the signing authority.
- Declarations of the shareholders and the first directors, with signatures verified by an advocate.
- Registration with the Registrar of Companies and payment of the statutory fee.
- Opening files with the Income Tax Authority, VAT and the National Insurance Institute.
- A registered address in Israel and, in practice, an Israeli bank account.
Founders' agreement
Where there is more than one shareholder, the founders’ agreement matters more than the articles: it settles what happens when one partner wants out, how new capital is raised, who signs for the company and how disputes are resolved. Drafting it at the start costs a fraction of litigating the same questions later.
Ongoing support
Beyond incorporation we prepare commercial contracts and employment agreements, advise on licences required for the company’s field of activity, register leases of office and commercial premises, and represent the company in dealings with the authorities.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreign resident own an Israeli company?
Yes. There is no requirement for an Israeli shareholder. The company does need a registered address in Israel, and in practice banks apply careful scrutiny to accounts controlled from abroad.
How long does registration take?
Registration with the Registrar of Companies is usually a matter of days once the documents are signed and the fee is paid. Opening a bank account is normally the longest step.
Do I have to fly to Israel to incorporate?
Not necessarily for the registration itself: documents can be signed abroad before a notary and legalised for use in Israel. Banks, however, generally want to meet the controlling shareholder.
What is the difference between a company and a licensed dealer?
A company is a separate legal person and limits the owner's liability; an osek murshe is an individual trading in their own name, with simpler reporting but full personal liability. The right choice depends on turnover, risk and who your customers are.
Does the company need an Israeli accountant?
Yes. Israeli companies file annual audited financial statements, which by law are prepared by a certified public accountant.
Talk to us
Offices in Tel Aviv, 125 Menachem Begin Rd (Kiryat HaMemshala), floor E2, and in Ashdod, 6 HaGdud HaIvri St, Top Sea Mall, 20th floor, office 9. Sunday to Thursday, 09:00–18:00, by appointment. Phone 08-8648090, WhatsApp 058-764-8090, yoffe.law@gmail.com.
