Traveling to Israel on your own

Is medical insurance really needed in Israel?

Insurance is required upon receipt of a visa.
If you can cross the border without permits, drawing up an insurance contract is considered unnecessary. Israel is one of the countries with which Russia has a visa-free regime. Tourists are allowed to stay in the holy land for up to three months without a visa, provided that the trip is planned for recreation and not for profit. For this reason, many travelers from the Russian Federation prefer to save on purchasing an insurance policy. On the one hand, they are right, since you won’t need insurance to travel to Israel. The tourist will be allowed through at the Russian border without asking any unnecessary questions. Difficulties usually arise during communication with Israeli customs officers.

By law, a tourist can cross the border without having an insurance policy, but the final decision for each traveler rests with border service officers. That is, whether or not to let a foreigner into Israel is decided on the spot at the moment of passing through customs.

If the officer has even minimal doubts about the reliability of the tourist, he has the right to request additional documents, including an insurance policy and hotel reservation. In the absence of any of them, the officer may refuse to allow the foreigner to cross the border.

Israeli customs services are wary of visitors from Russia and the CIS countries. In 2021, more than 10,000 Russian tourists were denied entry into the state.

It is also important to protect tourists from unforeseen incidents. Insurance will not allow you to avoid illness or accidental injury during travel, but it is a guarantee that the tourist will receive timely and adequate assistance.

Israeli medicine is rightfully considered one of the best in the world, but you will have to pay a considerable amount for treatment. A traveler does not always have sufficient funds with him. Medical insurance for travel to Israel will help pay for doctor services and purchase necessary medications.

The cost of insurance in comparison with the bills issued for treatment by Israeli clinics is negligible.

Buying insurance to Israel online is easy

• Select travel dates.
• Please indicate the age of each tourist.
• Add the sports or outdoor activities you plan to do abroad.
• Click "Calculate Cost" and the calculator will automatically determine the price of the basic policy. It will be the same as when issued at the sales office.
• Choose one of the insurance programs.
• Pay for insurance online using one of the suggested methods.
• Receive the agreement by e-mail, print it and save an electronic copy on your computer or phone.

For questions about medical insurance for traveling to Israel, call the company’s hotline at 8-800-333-0-999.

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Travel insurance requirements for Israel

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The requirements for the insurance policy are standard. The main thing is that the amount of insurance coverage is not lower than the established minimum - $30,000. It would be more far-sighted to take out a policy with coverage of $50,000, which will allow you to receive full medical care if necessary.

The drawn up insurance contract must meet the minimum coverage:

• medical care for injuries;
• medical care for illnesses;
• emergency assistance if there is a threat to life;
• treatment for poisoning;
• relief of exacerbations of chronic diseases;
• repatriation to the patient’s home country (if necessary);
• in case of death, delivery of the body to the homeland.

The duration of the policy must be no less than the expected period of rest. Crossing the border is only possible with valid insurance. The commencement of the policy should not be later than the day of passage through Israeli customs.

Do you need insurance in Israel?

Russians do not need a visa to Israel (for tourism purposes for up to 90 days), but there is a small amendment to Russian legislation that everyone traveling abroad must have insurance. The duration of the insurance must correspond to the length of stay in the country. Citizens of Ukraine and Belarus can also travel to Israel without a visa.

(Photo © booking.com / David InterContinental Tel Aviv)

You might think that medical insurance is not needed in Israel (in Russia, those traveling abroad are not asked for insurance). But representatives of the Israeli consulate have a slightly different opinion about this. Medical insurance for traveling to Israel, or rather the lack thereof, may cause refusal of entry into the territory of the state. During border control, the insurance policy is usually not asked. But if you arouse suspicion among border guards, they may request insurance. And here the Israelis do not stand on ceremony with our tourists; for example, over the past year, more than 10 thousand Russians were “turned back” at the border.

What risks does insurance cover?

Tourists often try to treat chronic diseases that have tormented them throughout their lives while traveling, using insurance. However, after visiting local clinics, they are deeply disappointed. Insurance only covers emergency care. The coverage area of ​​the insurance policy includes:

• delivery of the patient to the clinic in the presence of situations requiring emergency intervention by doctors;
• costs of purchasing medications recommended by a doctor;
• the cost of devices, materials and equipment necessary for treatment;
• payment for the work of surgeons and consumables during an emergency operation;
• hospital stay if the disease requires constant medical supervision;
• ensuring the transportation of children traveling with an insured foreigner if, as a result of the latter’s illness, they were left without adult care;
• delivery of a foreigner to his homeland if his health condition urgently requires this;
• dental services if urgent treatment is required;
• transportation of the body to the home country in the event of the death of the insured;
• cost of urgent messages.

Insurance to Israel from a Russian company

Insurance to Israel can be obtained from an insurance agency in any city in Russia, choosing one of three standard limits of 30,000, 50,000 or 100,000 EUR. It makes sense to buy a policy at the lowest price for those who are afraid that they may be picked on at the airport and asked to provide additional documents (insurance is on this list). You shouldn’t expect to pay 30,000 EUR when receiving more or less serious medical care: given the high cost of Israeli medicine, it is better to purchase insurance for 50,000, or even 100,000 EUR. A 10-day policy at a minimum rate of 30,000 EUR will cost from 600 RUB per person, and insurance of the same duration for 100,000 EUR will cost approximately 1,000 RUB.

Insurance can be expanded with options that guarantee compensation in case of trip cancellation due to sudden illness, property damage, injury, etc. Additional insurance against non-travel will cost on average 4-5% of the total cost of the tour.

A good policy (for 50,000 - 100,000 EUR) will cover transportation to the hospital, purchase of medicines, costs of treatment equipment: stroller, cast, crutches, etc., payment for surgery, treatment in a medical facility, evacuation of minor children traveling with the insured person (if they were left unattended), repatriation of the body in case of death.

It must be borne in mind that the insurance policy in Israel does not cover the treatment of chronic and mental illnesses, health improvement and rehabilitation. Insurance will not cover injuries sustained during hostilities or in an accident if the insured was driving the vehicle without a license or while intoxicated. In addition, you will have to pay out of your own pocket if the actions of the insured were not coordinated with the assistance. And Israeli medicine, as we have already said, cannot be called cheap: an appointment with a specialist doctor - from 200 USD, hospitalization - from 500 USD (in intensive care - from 1500 USD), tests 150-250 USD, ultrasound - from 250 USD, computer tomography - from 400 USD, rehabilitation - from 500 USD per day.

Assistance in Israel

Assistance is a service company that, in fact, organizes medical care abroad. Therefore, the company from which the tourist bought the policy is not so important as the assistance with which it works. When traveling to Israel, it is better to choose a service from EU countries - European insurers have a long history, so the chance that a company from the Old World will cheat, thereby damaging its reputation, is minimal. The German Allianz and the French AXA Assistance and Europ Assistance are considered the best.

What risks are not covered by insurance?

When taking out a policy, a tourist should carefully study the contract that he will sign. Not all situations are covered by insurance. If a foreigner receives an injury or illness that is considered a non-insured event, he will have to pay for the assistance provided out of his own pocket.

The insurance does not cover the treatment of an injury or illness if it was caused by the circumstances specified in the contract. The most significant include:

• injuries sustained in an accident if the driver was driving while intoxicated;
• if a foreigner drove a car without a local or international driver's license;
• when the injury is caused by a gross violation of safety regulations by the insured;
• exacerbation of the disease occurred as a result of self-medication;
• treatment of mental illness;
• sanatorium-resort recovery;
• rehabilitation after injury;
• the injury was sustained as a result of extreme sports or recreation.

Tourists are advised to connect when concluding a contract. Otherwise, even swimming in the pool, underwater excursions, and rides on attractions will be considered dangerous recreation, and if you receive an injury there, treatment will not be paid for by the insurance company.

Injuries resulting from terrorist attacks are also not covered by insurance. If this happens, the government of the host country will pay for the treatment.

What risks will not be covered by insurance?

Exclusions from the scope of insurance liability are specified in detail in the Insurance Rules. Before purchasing travel insurance for Israel, please read the document carefully to ensure you are aware of your rights. The tourist will have to pay for treatment on his own if the injury or illness was received in the following circumstances:

• as a result of driving a vehicle without a driver's license. If you plan to rent a car in Israel, we recommend that you take out a separate car policy and always have documents with you;
• under the influence of alcohol/drugs. The vibrant nightlife of Israel's resort areas offers tourists a huge number of bars, restaurants, and dance floors. You don't need to abuse alcohol to have fun. Alcohol, even in one’s own home, often leads to accidents, and in a foreign country the risk increases many times over;
• as a result of a gross violation of safety requirements. There are strict rules of behavior in the pool, in the water park, on the beach, on excursions and in other places. Listen carefully to the instructor, follow basic safety requirements to maintain your health;
• as a result of self-medication. During treatment, it is important to follow all doctor’s recommendations or not take medications without prescription. In the event of an emergency, it is not recommended to use folk remedies and similar methods. Treatment must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist.

What dangers await tourists in Israel?

The main danger for tourists in Israel comes from the constant threat of terrorist attacks. The country is in a protracted conflict with its neighbors, so the crime situation is never calm.

Israeli authorities are making every effort to protect tourists from danger. Near the border, enemy attacks are prevented by roadblocks. Metal detectors are installed in crowded places, and public transport is equipped with bulletproof glass.

Thanks to increased security measures, the government managed to reduce internal crime to a minimum, but the external threat remained.

Vacationers need to be attentive to their own well-being. The climate in Israel is very different from what Russians are used to. To avoid overheating, it is recommended to drink plenty of water to maintain an acceptable body temperature and prevent dehydration. Doctors advise going to the beach in the morning or in the evening. The heat of the day can trigger heatstroke.

While in Israel, you should only use bottled or purified water for drinking. It is strictly forbidden to drink from the tap, as the water in the tap is not suitable for quenching thirst. There are special drinking water fountains on beaches and in public places.

It is also worth considering that calling an ambulance in Israel is not as easy as in Russia. When asking for help, the dispatcher advises you to get to the specified hospital yourself by taxi. In this situation, the insurance company most often pays for the taximeter. The ambulance leaves in the most urgent cases, when the life of a foreigner is truly in danger.

If the patient tries to embellish the situation, upon arrival of the ambulance, doctors will record a false call, and the foreigner will have to pay from personal funds for the team’s departure and a considerable fine.

Dangers for tourists in Israel

The country has a hot climate, unusual for Russians. In summer, the air temperature reaches +40 °C, so it is better to plan a beach holiday in the morning and evening hours. It is necessary to drink enough clean water to prevent overheating. Problems with acclimatization can be minimized by consulting a doctor before travelling.

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements before traveling to Israel. However, it is advisable to check whether you have been vaccinated against hepatitis A and typhoid fever, as provided for in the vaccination calendar in the Russian Federation.

Local snakes are dangerous for foreign tourists. Most of the poisonous reptiles live in the northern and southern regions, in the wildest areas. Vipers and scorpions are extremely rarely seen in the resort area, but you should still be careful. Do not try to pick up an unfamiliar animal or insect. If bitten, consult a doctor.

Israeli cuisine is quite harmless for Russians. Most restaurants and cafes keep kosher. Meat and dairy dishes are served separately. There are other religious norms, for example, it is forbidden to eat pork. Restrictions apply to seafood: they eat only fish that have scales. Food usually does not cause digestive problems as long as you do not overeat and maintain good hygiene.

When it comes to drinking water, there is a clear shortage in Israel. Previously, water was taken from a fresh lake, but with the development of tourism its reserves turned out to be insufficient. Nowadays, sea and groundwater are desalinated to supply cities with water, carefully monitoring its parameters. It is not recommended to drink raw tap water. It is best to use bottled drinks, coolers, and drinking fountains, which are installed on all beaches.

The crime situation in Israel is never completely calm. Tel Aviv has tense relations with neighboring Arab states, so there is always a threat of terrorism. Metal detectors are installed in public places, checkpoints are placed on roads near borders, and buses are equipped with bulletproof glass. But these are all basic safety measures. Such enhanced prevention has practically eradicated street crime and ensured a fairly quiet stay for tourists in resort areas.

Which Russian insurance companies offer medical insurance for entry into Israel?

There are many insurance companies in Russia that issue policies for trips to Israel. When choosing a company, it is recommended to pay attention to the reliability of the company.

It is best to give preference to large companies. They have a sufficient budget for timely payments and value their reputation. Cooperation with such insurers is more productive.

All companies offering insurance services can be found in the register of the All-Russian Union of Insurers (VSU). To compare conditions, it is worth visiting specialized sites.

If insurance is taken out to obtain a visa, you need to enter into an agreement with those companies whose insurance is accepted at the Embassy. These include:

• Alpha Insurance;
• Support;
• Rosgosstrakh;
• Ingosstrakh;
• Renaissance;
• VTB;
• Russian standard.

International passport DARKON

It is an international document confirming the identity of an Israeli citizen outside Israeli territory. Darkon is a paper document in the form of a dark blue book with a gold imprint of the national coat of arms on the cover. Depending on the purpose, the Israeli passport contains 16, 32 or 64 pages. Personal data is entered in Hebrew and duplicated in English.

The information page of the passport laminated in plastic contains a frontal photo of an Israeli citizen, a code for scanning at passport control and data on the type of passport, country code, first name, last name, citizenship, gender, place of birth, date of issue and expiration date, address of the issuer organizations.

Israeli insurance companies

There are five major insurers operating in Israel. They fully provide insurance for both citizens of the country and visiting tourists. The insurance market in the state is divided:

• Clalit;
• Maccabi;
• Meuhedet;
• Leumit;
• Harel.

These are national level companies. Each of them has its own medical institutions providing services of highly qualified specialists. Insurance for foreigners is issued under the same conditions as for domestic citizens.

The conditions and cost of insurance are the same in all insurance companies in Israel.

Among the insurers, the Harel company stands out. This is the largest company that offers online policy registration. It will begin to operate immediately from the moment the foreigner boards the plane.

According to the terms of the insurance contract, all bills for treatment are sent directly to the company and paid by it. Situations in which the insured pays for treatment, and the company then returns the money to him, are excluded.

Israeli insurance companies issue a plastic policy, which is issued to a foreigner immediately upon arrival in the country.

In addition to standard coverage, the policy includes payment for a house call from a doctor who speaks Russian.

Insurance in an Israeli company

All Israeli medical insurance is divided among 4 so-called health insurance funds: Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet and Leumit, each with its own policies and clinics.
In essence, these are large national-level health insurance companies whose main task is to provide medical insurance services to Israeli citizens. However, their policies are also available to guests of the country: they can be issued by an Israeli insurance company and receive treatment in hospitals of any of these health insurance funds.

One of the most popular local insurers for foreign tourists is .

Her policy, which can be purchased online through one of the official agents, begins to operate as soon as you board the plane to Israel. It allows you to call a Russian-speaking doctor at home, covers the costs of urgent operations, hospitalization and medications necessary for treatment. At the same time, the situation when the insured patient first pays for medical services from his own funds, and then the insurance company reimburses him for them, is excluded: all bills for treatment are billed directly to the insurer.

Tariffs and other conditions depend only on the age of the insured: they are the same in all insurance companies in Israel. A policy for a citizen under 49 years of age for up to 180 days will cost 2.40 USD per day. A person aged 50–59 years can buy a policy for up to 90 days at the same price: USD 2.40 per day of stay. People between 60 and 65 years old will have to pay 3.90 USD per day, the maximum duration of the policy is 90 days. If a person is 66–75 years old, the policy will cost 4.50 USD per day, and the maximum insurance period will be 45 days. The minimum insurance period is 7 days. Prices on the page are as of November 2018.

Israeli health insurance is available to foreigners under almost the same conditions as citizens.

An Israeli company's insurance policy is more than a simple printout. This is a whole magnetic card with an identification number, which you will need to receive upon arrival - either at your Israeli address specified during registration, or directly at Ben Gurion Airport. To get help, you need to call the support service at the phone number specified in the insurance policy. Having found out the details, the operator will call a doctor or arrange a visit to the hospital. Once again: all treatment must begin with a call to support. If medical services were not agreed upon with the insurer’s service, no one will reimburse their cost “retrospectively”. However, this rule is true for all health insurance.

Assistants working in Israel

When concluding an agreement with Russian insurers, be sure to pay attention to assistance. This is a company that directly ensures the fulfillment of obligations under the insurance contract. The assistance determines which clinic the victim will be sent to and what level of assistance will be provided to him.

When choosing assistance, you should give preference to large European companies. The level of services they provide is usually much higher, and the chances of poor performance of duties are minimal. Among the most famous assistances:

• Allianz;
• AXA Assistance;
• Europ Assistance.

There are also Russian assistance services. They position themselves as international companies, but for the most part they are ordinary limited liability companies.

Assistance companies operating in Israel

A service company is a legal entity that is directly involved in organizing the provision of assistance to a foreign tourist.

If an insured event occurs, a Russian is obliged to call assistance. All necessary telephone numbers are indicated in the insurance policy.

The following service companies are considered to have the best quality of service:

• Allianz;
• AXA Assistance;
• Europe Assistance;
• ERV.

Important! When traveling to Israel, it is best to choose assistance from European countries - they have a long history and proven reputation. The likelihood that they will cheat the client or perform their obligations poorly is extremely low.

However, when applying for a policy, you can also choose Russian service companies:

How much is insurance

The cost of an insurance policy issued in Israel is the same in all companies. The amount of payment is influenced only by the age category of the client.

Cost of insurance in Israel depending on age

In Russian insurance companies, the cost of the policy depends directly on the company’s policy and the maximum amount of insurance payments. On average, insurance for 10 days with coverage of 30 thousand euros and a minimum set of services will cost 600 rubles. A policy for the same period with coverage of 100 thousand euros will require payment of 1000 rubles.

For each policy, Russian companies offer a set of additional functions that expand its capabilities. You will have to pay extra to connect each of them. Sometimes the cost of a policy with additional options increases several times.

Cost of insurance to Israel for Russian citizens

The cheapest basic insurance to Israel for Russians, according to the aggregator website Cherekhapa.ru, is with the insurance company (590.71 rubles for a trip of 10 days and for insurance of 1 citizen aged 24 years and an insured amount of 50 thousand dollars) .

You can also use the Strakhovka.ru portal to select an inexpensive policy, but you cannot compare insurance companies there based on the presence or absence of certain options. But the interface is simpler - even a child can understand it.

The price of tourist insurance when traveling to Israel will depend on the following factors:

• selected insurer;
• the number of covered risks (basic insurance, which includes only compensation for hospital services and medications, will cost less than extended insurance, which includes emergency dentistry, baggage insurance, etc.);
• number of travelers and their age;
• the presence of chronic diseases in the insured person;
• insurance period – for one trip or several within 1 year;
• whether or not the policyholder has a promotional code to receive a discount;
• the amount of the insured amount (as a rule, a choice of 35, 50 or 100 thousand dollars or euros is offered);
• planned types of activities in a foreign country - active or relaxing holiday;
• other factors that have a direct or indirect impact on the amount of the insurance premium.

Attention! You can calculate the price of a policy for a specific case and apply for it online on our website using the calculators described above.

How much does it cost to see a doctor in Israel without insurance?

Medicine in Israel is one of the most expensive in the world. Receiving high-quality treatment will require considerable costs. If trouble happens to a foreigner, and insurance is not issued, he will have to pay a large amount for medical care.

Approximate prices for medical services in Israel

Medical insurance in Israel: registration

Medical insurance for traveling to Israel depends on the amount insured. In Israel, this parameter plays a special role due to the prices of treatment. If in many countries the parameter of the sum insured can be placed in a secondary place, then in Israel it can be placed in the first place, so that the amount of coverage for medical expenses is sufficient.

When choosing the sum insured, you need to be guided by prices in the medical sector in Israel. The higher the price for treating a certain disease, the higher the insurance amount is needed. The minimum Israeli insurance amount is 30,000 euros. We recommend purchasing medical insurance for a trip to Israel with coverage of 50,000 euros.

Pay attention to such parameters of insurance companies as the history of insurance payments, the number of legal disputes, reputation and solvency. It is better to choose large insurance companies; they have a significant reserve fund and value their reputation in the service market.

Turn on the “active rest” option. This option doubles the cost of insurance to Israel, but without it, injuries sustained while engaging in dangerous sports and extreme recreation are not covered. At the same time, even riding a banana boat, swimming in a pool or snorkeling is considered “dangerous”.

It is also important to pay attention to payment for additional services. For example, you may need the advice of an experienced lawyer in order to resolve controversial issues when drawing up any documents or so as not to simply violate local legislation due to ignorance. If an insured event occurs, you will need a translator from Hebrew or Arabic who will help you come to an understanding when communicating with doctors, fill out the necessary documents or simply read the prescription and certificates. Such additions have little effect on the price of health insurance in Israel, but if necessary, they greatly simplify critical situations in an unfamiliar country.

Also, when purchasing medical insurance for travel to Israel, do not forget to indicate chronic diseases. Keeping such diseases silent may result in you being provided with the necessary medical care during an exacerbation, but you will have to pay for it yourself.

What to do if an insured event occurs

The action plan for a foreigner in the event of an insured event is quite simple. The main thing is not to panic and, if possible, not to disturb the picture of the incident.

Immediately after the incident you need to call the insurer's service center. The contact telephone number is indicated in the insurance policy. You should state your name and insurance number as clearly as possible, accurately indicate your current location, and describe the circumstances of the incident in detail and clearly.

Then all that remains is to strictly follow the operator’s recommendations.

If for some reason a foreigner goes to the hospital on his own, without notifying the insurance company, he must keep all receipts. According to them, the company will compensate for losses incurred by the client. You have 30 days after the incident to submit a claim for reimbursement.

What to do if you get sick in Israel

If a Russian has insurance for Israel, then the procedure for his actions in the event of an insured event will be as follows:

• call the service company whose number is indicated in the insurance policy;
• providing the specialist with information about the policy number, the territorial location of the insured person and the essence of the incident;
• following further instructions - for example, independently arriving at the clinic indicated by the call center specialist, or waiting for evacuation (if it is impossible to independently arrive at the hospital).

Depending on the terms of the insurance contract, there may be two options:

• or the insurer will compensate the Russian for treatment costs directly to the clinic;
• or you will have to pay the cost of services yourself, and upon arrival home, submit an application for compensation.