In short
Does an heir living abroad have to come to Israel to inherit?
No. A power of attorney to a lawyer in Israel, an affidavit or a renunciation can be signed at an Israeli consulate or before a local notary with an apostille, and the whole process is handled with the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs in Israel. When the deceased lived abroad, an opinion on the law of the country where he or she lived is usually required as well.
An Heir Living Abroad Does Not Need to Fly to Israel
The application for a succession order or a probate order is filed with the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs in Israel, and the heir does not have to come. A power of attorney to a lawyer in Israel, an affidavit or a renunciation is signed in one of two ways: at an Israeli consulate or embassy, by appointment and in the signer's presence, or before a local notary with an apostille. Israel joined the Hague Convention abolishing the requirement of legalization for foreign public documents in 1978, so a document from a member country needs an apostille to be accepted in Israel.
From a country that is not a party to the Convention, a chain of authentications is required: the local authority authenticates first, and then the Israeli mission. A will cannot be signed at a consulate. Check the exact wording to sign with your lawyer in Israel in advance, so you only go to the notary once.
An Israeli Who Died Abroad
Before applying for a succession order, contact the Ministry of Interior so that the death is recorded in the Population Registry, and only then apply to the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs. When the deceased's domicile was in Israel, Israeli succession law generally applies, even if the death occurred abroad.
A Deceased Who Lived Abroad and Left Assets in Israel
Israeli courts and the Registrar have jurisdiction when the deceased left assets in Israel, even if he or she lived abroad (Section 136 of the Succession Law). Under Section 137, the law of the deceased's domicile at the time of death generally applies, so a legal opinion on the law of the country where the deceased lived is usually required.
A succession or probate order granted abroad is not enough on its own to register an apartment or release funds in Israel: an application is filed here as well, with the documents from abroad attached, authenticated and translated as needed.
Using an Israeli Order Abroad
An heir who needs the Israeli order for a bank or authority abroad can have it verified online with an apostille certificate, through the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs' service, without going to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Inherited Apartments and Bank Accounts, Remotely
Banks freeze the deceased's accounts until an order is granted, and the Registrar sends the order directly to the banks and the Land Registry. An heir abroad can deal with the bank, the Land Registry and potential buyers through a power of attorney, so the apartment can be registered in the heirs' names, rented out or sold without coming to Israel.
Israel has no inheritance tax. When an inherited apartment is sold, check capital gains tax on real estate (mas shevach) and the exemptions that apply to inherited apartments before signing an agreement. When the heirs disagree about the apartment, see inheritance disputes and dissolution of joint ownership.
How We Work with Heirs Abroad
A first conversation by phone or WhatsApp, then a video meeting from anywhere in the world, in English or in Hebrew. We send the power of attorney and affidavits, explain where and how to sign them, file the application with the Registrar, handle an objection if one is filed, and guide the steps after the order: banks, registering the apartment, a sale or an agreement between the heirs. All the steps are on succession and probate orders. More about working with us in English: English-speaking lawyer in Israel.
What the service includes
- Succession and probate applications on behalf of heirs abroad
- Powers of attorney and affidavits for signing at a consulate or with an apostille
- Coordinating foreign-law opinions when the deceased lived abroad
- Registering, renting out or selling an inherited apartment
- Objections and agreements between heirs
When to contact us
- A relative died in Israel and you live abroad
- An Israeli relative died abroad
- The deceased lived abroad and left an apartment or account in Israel
- An inherited apartment needs to be sold or rented out remotely
What to bring to the meeting
- The deceased's details, place of residence and date of death
- The will, if any, and an order granted abroad, if any
- Details of the heirs and the countries where they live
- A list of the assets in Israel: apartments, accounts and funds
Inheriting in Israel from Abroad throughout Israel
The firm represents clients from all over Israel: Jerusalem and the Shfela, Be'er Sheva, Ashdod and Ashkelon, Haifa and the North, the Sharon and Gush Dan. Meetings take place at our two Modiin branches, at the WE Towers branch in Tel Aviv or by video call, and documents can be sent in advance on WhatsApp. We represent clients in the courts, the Labor Courts and before planning committees throughout Israel. How we work with clients across Israel.
Frequently asked questions
Does an heir living abroad have to come to Israel to receive an inheritance?
No. A power of attorney to a lawyer in Israel, an affidavit or a renunciation can be signed at an Israeli consulate or before a local notary with an apostille, and the whole process is handled with the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs in Israel.
Where do I sign a power of attorney from abroad?
At an Israeli consulate or embassy, by appointment, or before a local notary with an apostille. From a country that is not a party to the Hague Convention, a chain of authentications is required.
Is there inheritance tax in Israel?
No. Israel has no inheritance tax. When an inherited apartment is sold, capital gains tax on real estate (mas shevach) and the exemptions for inherited apartments are checked.
Is a succession order granted abroad enough for an apartment in Israel?
Not on its own. An application is also filed with the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs in Israel, with the documents from abroad attached, authenticated and translated as needed.
Which law applies when the deceased lived abroad?
Under Section 137 of the Succession Law, the law of the deceased's domicile at the time of death generally applies, so an opinion on the foreign law is usually required.
Can an Israeli succession order be used abroad?
Yes. The order can be verified online with an apostille certificate through the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs' service, without going to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
