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Foreign Company Registration in Israel

· Reviewed by Adv. Reut Eliyahu, Notary

Register a foreign company or branch with the Israeli Companies Registrar under Section 346 - handled personally, entirely remotely.

Branch registration, apostille, notarized translations and tax setup

Foreign company registration in Israel - global network connecting international companies to the Israeli market

We register foreign companies in Israel for corporations incorporated in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, India, China and Japan, as well as Australia, Canada, Germany, the UAE and every other jurisdiction.

Foreign company registration in Israel is a statutory requirement, not an administrative formality. Section 1 of the Companies Law, 5759-1999 defines a foreign company as a corporation, other than a partnership, incorporated outside Israel, and Section 346 prohibits such a corporation from maintaining a place of business in Israel - including an office for the transfer or registration of shares - unless it has registered with the Israeli Companies Registrar and paid the registration and publication fees.

Where business activity is planned, a second and entirely separate obligation applies. Section 60 of the Value Added Tax Law, 5736-1975 requires a foreign resident carrying on business in Israel to appoint a representative in Israel for tax purposes - a different appointment from the authorized representative under the Companies Law, and one that is routinely overlooked until the first invoice cannot be issued. Registration for VAT and income tax should therefore run in parallel with the Registrar filing, not after it.

If you are planning to register your company's Israeli branch as a foreign corporation - a branch of a US, UK, Canadian, German or other overseas company, or registration as an external entity - you have reached the right place. Eliyahu & Co. handles the full process remotely, with every registration supervised personally by Adv. Reut Eliyahu, not a junior associate.
Key Facts
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Same day
We file with the Companies Registrar the day your complete documents arrive

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1-3 business days
Typical Registrar confirmation after the filing is submitted

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ILS 2,559
Government registration fee online (ILS 3,123 manual)

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ILS 1,338
Annual fee for 2026 if paid by 31 March (ILS 1,777 later)

This page covers foreign company registration in Israel (branch / external company). To instead form a new Israeli company or subsidiary, see: Establishing and Registering a Company in Israel →

In short: how do you register a foreign company in Israel?

A foreign corporation must register with Israel's Companies Registrar under Section 346 of the Companies Law, 5759-1999, before maintaining a place of business in Israel.

  1. Apostille the corporate documents - certificate of incorporation, articles, directors list, good standing.
  2. Obtain notarized Hebrew translations of the core documents.
  3. Appoint an authorized representative resident in Israel and sign a power of attorney.
  4. File with the Registrar, then register for VAT and income tax.

We file the day the complete documents arrive, and the company is usually registered within 1-3 business days. The government fee is ILS 2,559 online (ILS 3,123 manual), plus an annual fee of ILS 1,338 in 2026 if paid by 31 March. Schedule a free consultation →

Choosing a Route

Branch, subsidiary or representative office

Before a single document is ordered, one decision governs everything that follows: which legal structure the foreign company will use in Israel. The three routes carry different liability, different tax treatment and different registration paths - and an apostille obtained for the wrong structure cannot be reused.

A branch is the foreign company itself operating in Israel. It is registered under Section 346 of the Companies Law, 5759-1999, which provides that a foreign company shall not maintain a place of business in Israel - including an office for the transfer or registration of shares - unless it has registered as a foreign company and paid the registration and publication fees. A branch is not a separate legal person, so the parent bears unlimited liability for everything the branch does in Israel, and it appears on the Israeli company registry under the parent's own name.

A subsidiary is a new Israeli company owned by the foreign parent: a separate legal person with its own share capital, its own directors and limited liability, registered through ordinary Israeli company formation and registration rather than under Section 346. A representative office is the narrowest route. It may carry out liaison, marketing support and market research, but it may not generate revenue in Israel - and the moment it starts contracting with Israeli customers it has crossed into activity that requires registration.

The three routes for a foreign company entering Israel, compared
 Branch (foreign company)Israeli subsidiaryRepresentative office
Legal statusNot a separate entity - the foreign company itselfA separate Israeli legal personNot a separate entity
LiabilityUnlimited - the parent is liable in fullLimited to the subsidiary's own assetsParent liable, but activity is restricted
Registered underSection 346, Companies Law, 5759-1999Ordinary company formationNo Registrar filing where no business is conducted
Government feeILS 2,559 online / ILS 3,123 manualILS 2,559 online / ILS 3,123 manualNone at the Registrar
Documents from abroadApostilled certificate of incorporation, articles, good standing, directors listApostilled shareholder documents or passport copiesMinimal
May invoice Israeli clientsYesYesNo
Israeli tax representativeRequired under VAT Law s.60 where business is conductedNot required - the subsidiary is an Israeli residentNot required where no revenue arises
Typical useDirect market entry keeping one corporate identityRing-fencing risk, local hiring, raising local capitalMarket research and liaison before committing

The fine distinction that decides most cases is this. A branch keeps the group's single balance sheet and single corporate identity, which is what a company already trading with Israeli customers usually wants. A subsidiary buys a liability firewall, which is what a company hiring Israeli employees or signing a long-term Israeli lease usually needs. For example, a US software company invoicing Israeli customers from Delaware may start with a branch, and move to a subsidiary once it opens an Israeli R&D team. Since 2007 we have handled both routes, and the assessment call comes before any document is ordered.

There is no nationality restriction on either route: an EU citizen, a US citizen or a corporation of any nationality may own an Israeli entity outright, and no Israeli shareholder or director is required. If a new Israeli company or subsidiary is the right structure for you, our dedicated page covers that route in full: forming an Israeli company from abroad →

Our Service

Our Service & Expertise

Eliyahu & Co. specialises in foreign company registration in Israel - registering foreign corporations as an external company with the Israeli Companies Registrar under Section 346. Since 2007 the firm has guided US, UK, EU and worldwide companies through the full process: document preparation, apostille and authentication, notarized Hebrew translations, appointment of an authorized representative, and coordinated tax and VAT registration - handled remotely from start to finish.

This is a focused area of expertise, not a sideline. Adv. Reut Eliyahu personally handles every registration - not a junior associate, never a template - and as a licensed notary the firm prepares and certifies the notarized translations and powers of attorney in-house, removing a common point of delay for international clients.

What We Handle for You

The legal assistance includes a preliminary assessment of the intended activity in Israel, selection of the correct registration route, preparation of all documents, coordination of authentication (apostille or consular legalisation), notarized Hebrew translations, drafting powers of attorney and appointment letters, appointing an authorized representative in Israel, and structured filing designed to minimize correction requests.

In most cases the process is completed entirely remotely, without executives travelling to Israel - with clear step-by-step guidance on what to prepare, how to authenticate it, and what to submit.

Registration is not where our work ends. We can serve as the company's authorized representative in Israel and provide its registered address, so official notices reach someone who acts on them, and we stay on as legal counsel for whatever the company needs to operate here.

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Practising Since 2007Civil, commercial and real estate law - with deep expertise in foreign company registration in Israel.
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Personal Attorney OversightAdv. Reut Eliyahu personally supervises each registration - not a junior associate, not a template.
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Worldwide ClientsWe assist companies from any country of incorporation to register and operate legally in Israel.
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Full Regulatory ComplianceCompanies Registrar filings, notarized translations, authorized representative and tax coordination.

Ready to register your foreign company in Israel?

Send us your country of incorporation and the documents you have - we will reply with a clear checklist, route, timeline and cost estimate.

How It Works

The Registration Process, Step by Step

Understanding what happens at each stage helps you prepare efficiently and avoid surprises.

1
Preliminary Assessment & Route Selection

We review your company's country of incorporation, corporate structure and planned activity in Israel to determine whether the correct route is branch registration under Section 346, an Israeli subsidiary, or a representative office - and which documents and authentication method that route requires.

2
Document Preparation & Authentication

We prepare a precise checklist of required corporate documents - Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Association, List of Directors, Certificate of Good Standing - and coordinate apostille authentication in your country of origin.

3
Notarized Hebrew Translations

All required documents are translated into Hebrew and notarized, with strict consistency of names, registration numbers and identifying details - a common source of rejection if handled incorrectly.

4
Power of Attorney & Authorized Representative

We draft the Power of Attorney and formally appoint an authorized representative in Israel - a resident who receives service of process and official notices on behalf of the foreign company. This is a mandatory legal requirement.

5
Filing with the Israeli Companies Registrar

We file with the Israeli Companies Registrar on the same day we receive your complete documents, and the company is typically registered within 1-3 business days, often on the next business day. We manage all correspondence and handle supplementary requests.

6
Tax & VAT Registration Coordination

In parallel we coordinate registration with the Israeli tax authorities - VAT, income tax and where relevant National Insurance - including appointment of a representative under Section 60 of the Value Added Tax Law, so your company can begin activity without operational delays.

Timeline

How long foreign company registration in Israel takes

The registration itself takes one to three business days. We file the application with the Companies Registrar on the same day we receive the complete, authenticated documents, and the company is usually registered on the next business day. Within a day of your first call, we send you every document you need to sign, including the power of attorney.

From our practice

A construction company incorporated in Delaware asked us to register it in Israel as a foreign company. The next day we sent the documents it needed to sign, including a suitable power of attorney. The company signed them, had them notarized and apostilled where required, and sent them to Israel. We filed on the day the documents arrived, and the next day the company was registered in Israel.

We still act for the company today, as its Israeli representative and registered address, and support it in everything it needs to operate in Israel, so it can focus on its business here.

What sets the pace is how quickly the documents are signed and authenticated in the country of incorporation, and that is where most of our preparation goes. We tell you exactly which authority issues each certificate and how it must be authenticated, so the documents arrive right the first time and the filing goes through without supplementary requests.

Israel has issued electronic apostilles since 21 December 2021, and since January 2025 these also cover certificates issued by the Companies Registrar. Every Israeli e-Apostille can be verified online through the Ministry of Justice e-Register, and where the other country also takes part in the Hague e-APP programme, documents can move electronically instead of by courier.

Where the country of incorporation is not party to the Apostille Convention, consular legalisation replaces the apostille, through the local foreign ministry and then the Israeli embassy. We confirm which of the two routes applies before any document is ordered.

Required Documents

Documents required to register a foreign company in Israel

Registering on the Israeli company registry as a foreign entity calls for seven documents in most cases: a Certificate of Incorporation, the Articles of Association, a Certificate of Good Standing, a list of current directors, a notarized Hebrew translation of the core documents, a power of attorney, and the appointment of an authorized representative resident in Israel. The exact set depends on which documents the country of incorporation actually issues.

Certificate of Incorporation / Registration ConfirmationAn official document confirming incorporation in the country of origin, authenticated by apostille or by consular legalisation where the Apostille Convention does not apply.
Notarized Hebrew TranslationNotarized translation of the core documents into Hebrew, with strict consistency of names, registration numbers, addresses and identifying details across every version.
Articles of Association / Constitutional DocumentsAs applicable under the law of the country of origin - articles, bylaws, memorandum or Gesellschaftsvertrag. Notarized Hebrew translation required where specified.
Certificate of Good StandingA recent certificate confirming the company is active and in good standing in its country of incorporation. Some registries issue it only on written request, which affects the timeline.
Power of Attorney & Appointment of Authorized RepresentativeAppointment of a person resident in Israel to receive service of process and official notices on behalf of the foreign company. Mandatory under the Companies Law.
List of Current DirectorsIncluding passport numbers for non-Israeli residents or Israeli ID numbers for residents, together with residential addresses.
Alternative Documentation (where applicable)Where the jurisdiction does not issue a Certificate of Incorporation, the lawyer filing the application confirms this in writing and attaches an official document from the country of origin evidencing that the company is registered there.

Not sure what you already have? Send us your country of incorporation and the documents you hold, and we will reply with a clear checklist of what is missing, the correct authentication method, expected timelines and a cost estimate.

Get Your Document Checklist
Tax & VAT

Tax & VAT Registration for Foreign Companies in Israel

Beyond registration with the Companies Registrar, a foreign company commencing business activity in Israel requires coordinated registration with the Israeli tax authorities - VAT (Ma'am), income tax, and where staff are employed, National Insurance.

Section 60 of the Value Added Tax Law, 5736-1975 requires a foreign resident carrying on business in Israel to appoint a representative in Israel for tax purposes. That representative holds a power of attorney to file returns, and may also receive funds on the foreign resident's behalf. This is a genuinely separate appointment from the authorized representative under the Companies Law, and the two are frequently confused - including by advisers abroad.

Handling these registrations in parallel with the Registrar process is strongly advisable. Companies that delay tax registration face predictable bottlenecks: inability to issue tax invoices, delays collecting payment from Israeli clients, and supplementary demands from the authorities. For ongoing matters we also provide corporate legal counsel for companies in Israel.

Bank Account

Opening a Corporate Bank Account in Israel for Foreign-Owned Companies

For many foreign companies the bank account, not the registration, is the real bottleneck. Israeli banks apply strict KYC and anti-money-laundering compliance to companies with foreign ownership, and commonly request extensive documentation on the company's structure, its beneficial owners and its source of funds before approving an account.

We provide full legal support for opening a corporate bank account in Israel: preparing and organising the documents the bank requires, drafting and reviewing the supporting paperwork, and coordinating directly with the bank's compliance department on the company's behalf - so the account is approved with as little friction as possible.

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The Real BottleneckAfter registration, the bank account is often the hardest step for foreign-owned companies - due to strict KYC and AML compliance.
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Document PreparationWe prepare and organise every document the bank requires - on company structure, beneficial owners and source of funds.
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Direct Bank CoordinationWe liaise directly with the bank's compliance department on your behalf, answering queries and resolving requirements.
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End-to-End Legal SupportFrom the first document to an approved, operational account - handled as part of your company's setup in Israel.
Get Help Opening a Bank Account
Common Pitfalls

Common Reasons for Delays - and How We Prevent Them

Foreign company registration in Israel is a precise process. Small errors at the document stage translate into supplementary requests, rejected filings and weeks of delay.

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Inconsistencies Between DocumentsDiffering company names, registration numbers or director names across documents - even minor variations - trigger rejection.
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Missing or Incorrect ApostilleWrong type of authentication, or an apostille that does not cover all of the required documents.
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Non-Notarized Hebrew TranslationsStandard translations lacking the required notarization are routinely rejected by the Registrar.
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Imprecise Power of AttorneyPowers of attorney that do not meet the Registrar's drafting requirements delay or block registration.

How we prevent delays: every case begins with a structured document review. We identify all issues before filing, prepare a precise document package and communicate a realistic timeline - so you can plan ahead with confidence.

Operating before registration is not a formality either. Under Section 349 of the Companies Law, a foreign company that breaches Section 346(a), and every officer or agent of the company who took part in the breach, is liable to a fine under the Penal Law, plus an additional fine for each day the breach continues after the company receives notice from the Registrar.

And a point that matters at the other end of the life cycle. Under Section 349A, a foreign company that has stopped maintaining a place of business in Israel and has notified the Registrar is exempt from its obligations under the foreign-company chapter from the date of the notice. One detail catches companies out: it must still keep an address in Israel for service of documents, unless it gives the Registrar another address, which may be outside Israel. A company that simply stops operating without filing the notice keeps accruing annual fees. Closing the file correctly is as much a legal step as opening it.

Cost & Fees

How much it costs to register a foreign company in Israel

The government registration fee is ILS 2,559 for online filing and ILS 3,123 for manual filing. From the year following registration the company also pays an annual fee, which for 2026 is ILS 1,338 if paid by 31 March and ILS 1,777 from 1 April. Legal fees are separate and are agreed in advance. The fees are set in the Companies Regulations (Fees) (Hebrew text).

Two costs are commonly forgotten in the initial budget: the apostille fees charged in the country of origin, which vary widely by jurisdiction, and the notarized Hebrew translations, which are priced per document and per length. Both are one-off, and both are quantified in the written quote before any work begins.

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Government Registration FeeA fixed fee paid to the Israeli Companies Registrar - ILS 2,559 online, ILS 3,123 manual. Updated periodically by regulation.
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Annual FeeILS 1,338 for 2026 if paid by 31 March, ILS 1,777 from 1 April. Payable every year until the company files a cessation notice.
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Legal FeesFor document preparation, notarized translations, filing and coordination - a flat fee agreed in writing before we begin.
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Clear Quote - No SurprisesWe review your company details and existing documents, then provide an accurate, itemized quote before we begin.
Get a Price Quote We will review your case and respond promptly - no commitment required.
The Attorney
Adv. Reut Eliyahu - Israeli lawyer and notary specializing in foreign company registration in Israel
Adv. Reut Eliyahu Advocate & Notary · Founder, Eliyahu & Co.
2007Practising
since

Adv. & Notary Reut Eliyahu

LL.B & MBA · Licensed Notary · Registered Arbitrator · Member, Israel Bar Association since 2007

"With foreign company registration the details decide everything - a single inconsistency between an apostille and a translation can delay a filing by weeks. Our job is to get it right the first time."

Eliyahu & Co. specializes in foreign company registration in Israel across every size and sector - from a single foreign branch entering the market to multinational corporations establishing a long-term Israeli presence. Since 2007 the firm has represented US, UK, EU and worldwide companies, startups, investors and established corporations through registration with the Israeli Companies Registrar and lawful commencement of activity in Israel.

The firm's expertise covers every legal aspect of foreign company registration: registration as an external company under Section 346 of the Companies Law, 5759-1999, apostille and document authentication, notarized Hebrew translations, appointment of an authorized representative, powers of attorney, and coordinated registration with the Israeli Tax Authority including the representative required under Section 60 of the VAT Law. Most of the foreign companies the firm registers come from the United States, followed by companies from the UK, France, India, China, Japan and Australia. Adv. Eliyahu handles each registration personally.

Adv. Eliyahu holds an LL.B and an MBA, is a licensed notary and a registered arbitrator, and has been a member of the Israel Bar Association since 2007. The notary credential matters directly here: many foreign company filings require notarized translations and notarized powers of attorney, which the firm prepares and certifies in-house - removing a common point of delay for international clients.

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Worldwide Clients
Any country of incorporation

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Notary In-House
Notarized translations & POA

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Full Compliance
Registrar & Tax Authority

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Direct Access
Handled by the attorney

⚖ Israel Bar Association - since 2007 🎓 LL.B & MBA 🏛 Licensed Notary 📝 Registered Arbitrator 🌏 English · Hebrew · Espanol
Who We Work With

International Companies We Help Enter Israel

Over the years we have guided companies from a wide range of industries and countries through foreign company registration in Israel - from initial consultation to full compliance.

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Technology Companies

US and European tech firms establishing an Israeli branch or subsidiary for R&D, product and operations.

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E-Commerce & Retail

International retail and e-commerce businesses registering in Israel to serve local customers and partners.

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Real Estate & Construction

Foreign investors registering a legal entity in Israel for real estate transactions and development projects.

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Professional Services

Consulting, financial and professional services firms expanding into the Israeli market through a registered entity.

Whether you are a startup, a mid-size company or a large corporation, we will review your specific situation and guide you through the right registration path. Get in touch to discuss your case →

Who We Represent

Who We Represent: Companies From the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France and Australia

The Israeli side of the process is identical for everyone. What changes by country is which authority issues the documents, how they are authenticated, and which corporate structures the parent already has in place.

Companies from the United States

Companies from the United States, corporations and LLCs alike, are the largest group of foreign companies we register. Documents are executed before a US notary and apostilled by the Secretary of State of the state of incorporation - Delaware, New York and California most often - which means the apostille authority differs from client to client and has to be identified before anything is ordered. A frequent complication is the LLC: Israeli practice treats it differently from a corporation for tax purposes, and that affects whether a branch or a subsidiary is the better structure. Our US direct line, +1 (310) 735-4210, is available during US business hours, and we routinely coordinate with American tax counsel on the cross-border position.

Companies from the United Kingdom

British companies work from a Companies House certificate of incorporation, and the certificate downloaded from the Companies House website is not sufficient on its own - the Registrar expects a certified copy authenticated by apostille. The power of attorney is executed before a UK notary public and apostilled by the FCDO. Where the company was incorporated many years ago and has since changed name, the change-of-name certificates must be apostilled too, so that the chain from the original certificate to the current name is complete. We handle the entire Israeli filing remotely and coordinate with UK accountants where the Israeli activity has UK tax consequences.

Companies from Canada

Canada joined the Apostille Convention only on 11 January 2024, and it is the jurisdiction where the authentication route most often goes wrong, because it is not uniform. Quebec is a civil-law province with its own notarial practice, while Ontario, British Columbia and the other common-law provinces follow a different procedure, and federally incorporated companies differ again from provincially incorporated ones. Confirming which route applies to your specific incorporation before ordering documents is what prevents the most common cause of rejection. Once the file is correct, the Israeli registration - documents, authorized representative and Registrar filing - is managed entirely by our firm, remotely from anywhere in Canada.

Companies from Germany

German companies file from a Handelsregister extract together with the Gesellschaftsvertrag and the list of managing directors. Germany is party to the Apostille Convention, and the apostille is issued by the Landgericht or the relevant regional authority rather than centrally, which affects timing. A GmbH and an AG produce different document sets, and the Israeli Registrar reads the Handelsregister extract closely: the managing directors named in it must match the list submitted, in the same transliteration. We confirm the exact set required and coordinate with German advisers where the Israeli activity interacts with EU or German tax planning.

Companies from France

The Franco-Israeli business connection is deep, and French companies open Israeli branches in technology, real estate and import-export more than almost any other European group. The core document is the extrait Kbis, which has a limited validity period in practice - a Kbis that is several months old will usually be questioned, so the timing of the order matters. Documents are executed before a notaire and apostilled by the cour d'appel. Translation from French into Hebrew must preserve the exact corporate form (SARL, SAS, SA) rather than approximating it, because the Registrar records the form as stated. We coordinate routinely with French avocats and notaires on the cross-border side.

Companies from Australia and elsewhere

Australian companies apostille through DFAT, and the practical constraint is the time zone rather than the paperwork - we schedule document exchange so nothing waits a full day for a signature. The same planning applies to every other jurisdiction we handle, including India, China, Japan and the UAE. Where a country is not party to the Apostille Convention, as with the UAE, consular legalisation replaces the apostille: the file passes through the local foreign ministry and then the Israeli embassy. Confirming which of the two routes applies is the first thing we do, because the wrong assumption means ordering every document twice.

Service Areas

Authentication and Filing by Country of Incorporation

The Israeli filing is the same for every company. What differs is who authenticates the documents at home. Select your country to see the route that applies to you.

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United States

A US corporation or LLC opening an Israeli branch keeps its US legal identity while gaining the ability to operate, invoice and bank in Israel. Documents are signed before a US notary and apostilled by the Secretary of State of the state of incorporation, then translated and notarized into Hebrew for the Companies Registrar.

Nobody needs to fly to Israel: the whole filing runs under a power of attorney, and our US line (+1-310-735-4210) is answered during US business hours.

→ Forming a US-owned Israeli subsidiary → Selling Israeli shares
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United Kingdom

British companies file from certified Companies House records. The power of attorney and corporate documents are signed before a UK notary public and apostilled by the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office), then notarized into Hebrew.

We handle the Israeli filing remotely and, where the Israeli activity has UK tax consequences, coordinate with your UK accountants and solicitors.

→ Apostille & notarized translations → Contracts with Israeli customers
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France

French companies open Israeli branches in technology, real estate and import-export. Documents are signed before a notaire and apostilled by the cour d'appel, then translated and notarized into Hebrew, keeping the corporate form (SARL, SAS, SA) exactly as registered.

The Israeli filing is completed remotely, and we coordinate with French avocats and notaires on the cross-border side.

→ Property purchases in Israel → Notary & apostille
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India

India has been party to the Apostille Convention since 2005, and apostilles are issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. For an Indian company, the certificate of incorporation and the memorandum and articles of association are the core documents, and the names of the directors must match the company's registry record exactly.

We send you the full list and the power of attorney for signature, and file in Israel the day the authenticated set arrives.

→ Ongoing corporate counsel in Israel → Hebrew translations
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China

Since 7 November 2023, documents from mainland China no longer need consular legalisation for use in Israel. The apostille is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or by an authorised provincial or municipal Foreign Affairs Office, which is usually faster than the old route through the Israeli embassy.

Chinese business licences are translated into Hebrew with the company's registered name and unified social credit code carried over exactly, so the Registrar sees one consistent identity.

→ Commercial contracts in Israel → Corporate counsel
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Japan

Japan has been party to the Apostille Convention since 1970, and apostilles are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A power of attorney is first notarized, and the notary's seal is certified by the Legal Affairs Bureau. In Tokyo, Osaka and several other regions, all three steps can be completed in a single visit.

We prepare the documents in English, so the Japanese side only signs and authenticates, and we handle the Hebrew translation here.

→ Notary & apostille services → Corporate counsel
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Australia

Australian companies apostille their incorporation documents through DFAT (the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) before they are notarized into Hebrew. The practical constraint is the time difference, so we schedule the document exchange to keep the file moving.

The entire registration is handled remotely under a power of attorney.

→ DFAT apostille & Hebrew translation → Corporate counsel
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Canada

Canada has been party to the Apostille Convention only since 11 January 2024, so older guidance that still describes consular legalisation for Canadian documents is out of date. The competent authority depends on where and how the company was incorporated, federally or in a particular province.

We confirm the right authority for your company before anything is signed, and manage the Israeli filing remotely.

→ Ongoing Israeli corporate counsel → Commercial contracts
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Germany

German companies file a Handelsregister extract, the Gesellschaftsvertrag and the list of managing directors. The apostille is issued regionally, usually by the Landgericht, rather than by one central office.

We confirm the exact set your GmbH or AG needs, and coordinate with your German advisers where the Israeli activity touches EU or German tax planning.

→ Setting up a GmbH-owned Israeli entity → Notary & apostille
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United Arab Emirates

The UAE is not party to the Apostille Convention, so documents of mainland, DIFC and ADGM companies are authenticated by consular legalisation: attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then legalisation by the Israeli embassy. We confirm the chain for your emirate and free zone before any document is ordered.

From there, the Hebrew translation and the Israeli filing are handled by our office.

→ Free-zone document authentication → Corporate counsel
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Any Other Country

We register companies from any country of incorporation. Where the country is party to the Apostille Convention, one apostille is enough; where it is not, consular legalisation replaces it. We confirm which route applies before any document is prepared.

Wherever the company is incorporated, the Israeli side is handled entirely remotely.

→ Our full corporate practice → Consular legalisation route

Foreign companies enter Israel through a lawyer who takes personal responsibility.

Adv. Reut Eliyahu personally oversees every registration - not a junior associate, not a template - from the first document to full compliance.

Schedule a Consultation
Not sure where to start? Call +972-74-704-7104 · no commitment required.
Client Reviews

What Our Clients Say

★★★★★

Companies that stay with us after registration

Many of the foreign companies we register keep us as their Israeli representative and counsel. Each review on the firm's Google Business Profile comes from a client who worked directly with Adv. Reut Eliyahu.

Read the reviews on Google → ⭐ Write a review
Since 2007Practising law in Israel
Same dayFiling once documents arrive
NotaryTranslations & POA in-house
EN · HE · ESLanguages of service

The stars in this section are the rating on the firm's Google Business Profile. The rating at the top of the page is the visitor rating for this page only. They are two different measures.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions international companies ask most often before registering in Israel.

Under Section 346 of the Companies Law, 5759-1999, a company incorporated outside Israel may not maintain a place of business in Israel unless it has registered with the Companies Registrar as a foreign (external) company and paid the registration and publication fees. Registration requires apostilled corporate documents, notarized Hebrew translations, and appointment of an authorized representative resident in Israel.
The government registration fee is ILS 2,559 for online filing and ILS 3,123 for manual filing. From the year following registration the company also pays an annual fee, which in 2026 is ILS 1,338 if paid by 31 March and ILS 1,777 from 1 April. Legal fees are separate and are agreed in advance.
A branch registered under Section 346 is not a separate legal entity - it is the foreign company itself operating in Israel, and the parent bears unlimited liability for its obligations. A subsidiary is a new Israeli company owned by the foreign parent, a separate legal entity whose liability is limited to its own assets. A representative office is a third route, permitted only for non-revenue activity such as market research or liaison. See the comparison table above.
A Certificate of Incorporation, the Articles of Association or equivalent constitutional documents, a list of current directors with passport or ID numbers and addresses, a Certificate of Good Standing, and a power of attorney appointing an authorized representative resident in Israel. The core documents must be apostilled and accompanied by notarized Hebrew translations. See the Required Documents section above.
The registration itself is fast. We file with the Companies Registrar on the same day we receive the complete, authenticated documents, and the company is typically registered within one to three business days, often on the next business day. We send the documents for signature within a day of your first call.
Yes. The Companies Registrar accepts registrations from companies incorporated in any jurisdiction. The difference is the authentication route: companies from states party to the Apostille Convention use an apostille, while companies from non-party states, such as the United Arab Emirates, use consular legalisation.
No. The process is handled remotely under a power of attorney executed before a notary in the country of incorporation. Israel has issued electronic apostilles since 21 December 2021, and since January 2025 these include certificates issued by the Companies Registrar. Every Israeli e-Apostille can be verified online through the Ministry of Justice e-Register.
Yes, where business activity is conducted. Section 60 of the Value Added Tax Law, 5736-1975 requires a foreign resident carrying on business in Israel to appoint a representative in Israel for tax purposes. This is separate from, and additional to, the authorized representative appointed under the Companies Law.
Yes. After registration we can serve as the company's authorized representative in Israel and provide its registered address, so official notices reach someone who acts on them. Many of our foreign clients keep this arrangement for years, together with ongoing legal support for their activity in Israel.
Under Section 348 of the Companies Law the company files an annual report, and it pays the annual fee, keeps an authorized representative and an address for service in Israel, and meets its tax filings. Under Section 349A, a foreign company that stops maintaining a place of business in Israel and notifies the Registrar is exempt from these obligations from the date of the notice. We provide ongoing corporate legal counsel for this.
Yes. Foreign companies and foreign nationals may generally purchase real estate in Israel, subject to purchase tax rates that differ from those applied to Israeli residents and to specific reporting requirements. Our firm also handles buying property in Israel for foreign clients.
Related Services
Corporate & Business LawOur full corporate and commercial practice overview. Establishing a Company in IsraelForming a new Israeli company or subsidiary from abroad. Corporate Legal CounselOngoing legal support for companies operating in Israel. Commercial ContractsDrafting and reviewing contracts for activity in Israel. Notary & Apostille ServicesNotarized translations and apostille coordination. Selling Israeli SharesShare transfers and exits for foreign shareholders. Israeli Legal GuidesBackground reading on Israeli company and commercial law.

Register your foreign company in Israel - handled personally, start to finish.

Branch registration with the Companies Registrar, apostille, notarized Hebrew translations and tax setup - one conversation gets the process moving.

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Herzliya Pituach, Israel

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