Update Regarding Travel Insurance to Israel (Update: Feb. 7, 2024)
Select travel insurance plans for travelers with Israel as their destination country are now available. Previously, they were not available due to the current war. Existing policies are not affected unless you hear otherwise from your carrier. Anything related to the hostilities may not be covered. These are all insurer-specific, so check your policy documents for complete details.
Israel Travel Insurance for Visitors
Despite constantly erupting political tensions, Israel attracts millions of visitors each year. Some people visit to experience the sacred sites of three of the world’s major religions. Others come to enjoy the coastal restaurants and famous nightlife of Tel Aviv. Nearly everyone wants to float in the Dead Sea. When visiting, make sure you have travel insurance for Israel. In the last decade, more people have also traveled to Israel for medical tourism in one of the most advanced healthcare systems in the world. Israel’s modern society exists side by side with ongoing political struggles and the ever-present threat of sudden violence. While there have been periods of calm, the region has experienced regular conflict for more than half a century.
Do I Need Travel Insurance for Israel?
Yes. Israel requires visitors to have travel insurance when they arrive. You must show proof of your travel insurance, though COVID-19 coverage is no longer required as of May 15, 2023.
Best Travel Insurance for Visitors to Israel
The safety situation in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza can change quickly. The sudden eruption of conflict or a terrorist attack is possible. To prepare, the U.S. State Department recommends that your travel insurance include medical evacuation. For complete peace of mind, it should also cover emergency travel changes and repatriation of remains. International Citizens Insurance can help you find a travel insurance plan that meets all your needs.
The IMG Patriot Travel Insurance plan is a good option for most travelers. For US citizens traveling abroad, you can purchase trip cancellation coverage through the iTravelInsured plan below.
Patriot Platinum Travel Insurance
- Maximum limits up to $8,000,000
- IMG pays 100% of medical expenses in-network
- Evacuation due to Natural Disasters & Political Unrest
iTravelInsured Trip Cancellation Insurance
- Three levels of trip protection for U.S. citizens and residents traveling abroad
- $500,000 in Emergency Medical and $1,000,000 in Medical Evacuation cover included
- 100% Trip Cancellation and 150% Trip Interruption
- Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) optional upgrade available (LX Plan)
Medical Preparation for Travel to Israel
As with many destinations, Israel may expose you to new illnesses and unfamiliar environments. You may also need to manage existing health issues during your stay. The following information will help you protect your health in Israel.
What Vaccinations Do I Need to Travel to Israel?
Israel does not currently have vaccination requirements for visitors — not even for COVID-19. However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises all travelers to Israel be up to date on their routine vaccinations (influenza, chickenpox, MMR, DPT), as well as rabies, polio, COVID-19, and others. The CDC also recommends the typhoid vaccine for those planning to go to Gaza or the West Bank.
How to Bring Medications to Israel
Travelers can bring prescription medications for personal use into Israel. Any time you travel internationally, keep prescription medications in the original packaging and packed in your carry-on bag along with the prescriptions from your doctor. You may want to list the generic names of your medications for easier identification by authorities. If your medical condition requires syringes and vials, be sure to travel with a letter from your doctor explaining your medical needs.
Some visitors may need to travel with narcotic or psychotropic drugs to manage a medical condition. The Israeli Ministry of Health allows up to 31 days of each type of drug as long as you have all of the proper documentation. If you are concerned about the legality of your prescription medication in Israel, contact Israel’s embassy or consulate in your current country to confirm.
Standard over-the-counter medications in North America are usually found at local pharmacies in Israel. You may still want to travel with some of the CDC’s Israel packing list recommendations for convenience.
How to Access Medical Care in Israel for Visitors
Israeli law provides all residents with health insurance plans through one of four non-profit companies. Visitors do not qualify for this coverage. They are legally required to arrive with an active travel insurance plan.
Israel has one of the most efficient and highly-ranked healthcare systems in the world. This means you have a variety of options for excellent medical care should you need it. Your travel insurer will provide you with recommendations for medical institutions in Israel. Cross-reference your list with our article on the best hospitals in Israel for expatriates. Sometimes, travel insurance can provide telehealth visits or a translator via phone. English is widely spoken in Israel, especially in the medical field.
In a medical emergency, your condition will determine your care options. Urgent care centers (like Terem, Tel Aviv Doctor, or Bikur Rofeh) operate around the country, with some open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Doctors can write prescriptions and give you referrals for more extensive care.
How to Call an Ambulance in Israel
For more serious emergencies, you can call an ambulance by dialing 101 and Israel’s Magen David Adom ambulance will arrive. If you are in the West Bank or Gaza, it may be a Palestinian Red Crescent Society ambulance that comes. As a visitor not covered by national health insurance, you will be charged for the transportation. You will need to submit the claim to your travel insurance company for reimbursement. The ambulance will likely take you to the nearest hospital with the services you require based on your condition. Your stay will include paying for your care. Emergency rooms in the major cities are crowded. In Tel Aviv, the emergency room wait time could be four hours or more. While care is the same, you can expect Israel’s private hospitals to offer more amenities and services than the public hospitals.
In the event of a disaster or terrorist attack, dialing 101 will alert Magen David Adom (if you are deaf or hearing impaired, send a text to 052-7000-101) or the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. Like the American Red Cross, both of these organizations are members of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and provide ambulance and other medical services during disasters.
Visitors going to the West Bank and Gaza should be aware that hospitals in those areas may lack equipment or be overwhelmed. The U.S. State Department warns that ambulances may be in short supply or not available in Gaza and the West Bank.
Related: Israel Healthcare System
Travel Warnings and Alerts for Israel
The security situation in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza is constantly shifting. Travelers should check the latest travel alerts from government sources leading up to and just before their departure.
It is also wise to check on alerts throughout your stay. The U.S. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (S.T.E.P.) is an easy way for U.S. travelers to get alerts on a specific country. They can also register their trip with the nearest U.S. embassy.
Other websites that offer up-to-date alerts on Israel include:
- U.S Department of State “Israel, the West Bank and Gaza” page
- Australian Government Smartraveller “Israel and the Palestinian Territories” page
- U.K. Government Foreign Travel Advice “Israel” page
- Government of Canada Travel Advisory “Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip” page
- Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs “Israel and the Palestinian Territories” page
The governments of the countries listed above advise their citizens against traveling to Gaza.
Emergency Contact Information for Israel
The following is a guide to the emergency numbers you need to know for Israel.
Emergency Assistance Numbers in Israel
- Police – 100
- Medical Assistance/Ambulance – 101
- Fire Service – 102
- Disaster Victim Identification – 1220 (ZAKA)
- Emotional Crisis Hotline – 1201 (ERAN)
- Rape Crisis & Sexual Abuse – 1202 (Women) 1203 (Men)
- Student Hotline – 1-800-222-003
- Violence Hotline for Students -1204
- Israel Assoc. for Child Protection (ELI) – 1-800-223-966
- 24 Hour Poison Information Center & Hotline at Rambam Hospital – 04-7771900
Israel does not use the United States emergency number 911. However, dialing the United Kingdom emergency number 112 from any GSM mobile phone will connect you with the local emergency line.
Global Medical Plan for Foreigners Residing in Israel
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- The flexibility to tailor a plan to suit your individual needs
- Access to Cigna Global’s trusted network of hospitals and doctors
- The convenience and confidence of 24/7/365 customer service
Embassy Phone Numbers in Israel
The following is a list of contact information for certain embassies in and near Israel:
- U.S. Embassy Jerusalem
14 David Flusser Street Jerusalem, Israel 93392
+ (972) (2) 630-4000 (Main Phone)
+ (972) (2) 622-7230 (Emergency After-Hours Number – Ask for the Duty Officer)
+ (972) (3) 519-7551 (Emergency After-Hours Number)U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv Branch
71 HaYarkon Street Tel Aviv, Israel 63903
+ (972) (3) 519-7475 (Main Phone)
+ (972) (3) 519-7575 (Emergency After-Hours Number – Ask for the Duty Officer)
+ (972) (3) 519-7551 (Emergency After-Hours Number) - Canada House
3/5 Nirim Street, 4th Floor, Tel Aviv, Israel 6706038
+ (972) (3) 636-3300 (Main Phone) - British Embassy Tel Aviv
192 Hayarkon Street Tel Aviv, Israel 6340502
+ (972) (3) 725 1222 (Emergency – After hours, select the emergency option.) - French Embassy in Israel
112 promenade Herbert Samuel BP 3480 Tel Aviv, Israel 6357231
+ (972) (3) 520 85 00 (Main Phone) - Australian Embassy Israel
Bank Discount Tower, 28th Floor, 23 Yehuda Halevi St. Tel Aviv, Israel 6513601
+ (972) (3) 693 5000 (Main Phone)
+ (61) (2) 6261 3305 (Consular Emergency Centre – from outside of Australia)
4 Tips for Safe Travel in Israel
1. Stay Alert, Especially in Crowded Areas
Violent attacks happen without warning. In any country, the best way to prepare for the unexpected is by planning ahead. If you know you will be in a crowded area or place of significance (like a tourist site), plan your exits. Stay aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity to local authorities. If you feel unsafe, leave immediately. The CDC recommends carrying a card with your blood type, medications and emergency contact numbers in Hebrew and Arabic just in case.
2. Frequently Check Travel Updates
You may not be near the place where an attack or protest happened, but you could still be impacted by resulting new security measures, such as curfews. If you are a U.S. citizen, enroll in the U.S. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (S.T.E.P.) to receive alerts on Israel throughout your trip.
3. Watch Your Step and Your Belongings
You may be walking over the ruins of ancient structures or hiking through more remote, rocky areas like Appolonia National Park. Wear comfortable shoes and watch where you step to avoid a sprained ankle (or worse), which could spoil your trip. Cities like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are modern with maintained streets and sidewalks. Still, historic neighborhoods may have unexpected hazards. Pickpocketing is also common, so be mindful of your possessions. Pack important belongings securely to minimize risk.
4. Bring Water and Dress in Comfortable Layers
Israel has a Mediterranean climate to the north and a more arid climate to the south. Its terrain includes mountains, beaches and deserts and it can get very hot in the summer months. Bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and plenty of water when you’re out exploring in dry, hot areas. Dress in layers as temperatures can fluctuate throughout the day. Layered clothing will also help you quickly adapt to more modest clothing requirements at certain religious buildings and sites.
Israel is Best When You’re Prepared for the Worst
While most visitors will never encounter a violent incident, Israel’s tense geopolitical climate cannot be ignored. Despite the possible threats, visitors will find busy cafes and shops where conversation fills the air in Hebrew, Arabic, English, Yiddish, and more.
Paying attention to the news and the latest government travel advisories is key to making informed travel decisions about Israel. If the situation abruptly changes, your travel insurance can help you cancel a trip before you ever set foot in the country or help you get home quickly. Let International Citizens Insurance help you find the right travel insurance for Israel.
From the Sea of Galilee to the Mediterranean coast, Israel’s ancient history, diverse culture, and complex politics combine to make it a unique destination. Arriving prepared and with the right travel insurance will allow you to absorb the gravity of Israel freely — a place that means as much to those who live there as it does to millions who have yet to make the journey.
Related Articles:
- Best Hospitals in Israel for Foreigners
- Health Insurance in Israel for Foreigners
- Israel’s Healthcare System
Author: Amanda D. Hoffman is a content editor at International Citizens Insurance. She been living a slow-travel, independent-location lifestyle since 2017, exploring more than 16 countries over 5 continents — and counting. From art to history to local political and social issues, she is always eager to learn about her surroundings and make new connections. As a rare disease patient and advocate, she has unique insight and interest in healthcare cost and access while traveling.