Israel is one of the few countries that explicitly permits dual or multiple citizenship. There is no legal requirement to renounce Israeli citizenship when acquiring citizenship in another country. Most Israelis who relocate and eventually naturalize abroad remain Israeli citizens simultaneously.
Israeli law on dual citizenship
Under the Israeli Citizenship Law (חוק האזרחות, 1952), a person born Israeli does not lose citizenship by acquiring foreign citizenship. An Israeli who naturalizes in another country remains an Israeli citizen unless they actively renounce Israeli citizenship by filing a formal declaration with the Israeli Ministry of Interior (משרד הפנים).
Renunciation is rarely advisable and must be done deliberately. Most Israelis who emigrate retain their Israeli citizenship for life.
Practical implications of keeping Israeli citizenship
Israeli passport and travel:
- Israeli citizens travel on an Israeli passport. Israel's passport offers visa-free access to approximately 165 countries.
- If you acquire a second citizenship (e.g., German, Portuguese, US), you will hold two passports. You can use the most convenient one for travel, but must use your Israeli passport to enter and exit Israel.
Military reserve duty (מילואים):
- Israeli male citizens under 40 (officers: under 45) may be called for annual reserve duty.
- Physical distance generally means you will not be called. Your legal obligation does not disappear automatically with relocation.
- In times of declared emergency or war, reserve call-ups extend broadly. Many diaspora Israelis have returned voluntarily.
- Contact the IDF Manpower Directorate (אגף כוח אדם) to update your address abroad and clarify your status.
Banking and financial services:
- Some countries' banks are reluctant to open accounts for Israeli citizens due to compliance concerns (FATCA for US, common reporting under CRS).
- Keeping an Israeli bank account abroad can trigger reporting requirements.
- Israelis planning to disconnect tax residency should consult on the implications of Israeli financial ties.
Tax residency (separate from citizenship):
- Israeli citizenship does not determine tax obligations — Israeli tax residency does.
- You can be an Israeli citizen living in Germany and have zero Israeli tax obligations, provided you have correctly disconnected from Israeli tax residency.
- Citizenship can complicate the center-of-life test if you maintain strong ties to Israel.
Citizenship of the destination country
Different destination countries have different rules:
| Country | Allows dual with Israel? |
|---|---|
| Germany | Yes (since 2024 law change) |
| Portugal | Yes |
| Canada | Yes |
| USA | Officially requires renouncing Israeli allegiance at naturalization ceremony — but practically does not enforce this against Israeli nationals |
| Netherlands | Generally requires renunciation — exceptions exist for some circumstances |
| Australia | Yes |
| UAE | No pathway to citizenship for most foreign nationals |
Always verify current rules with the destination country's immigration authority.
Bottom line
Keeping your Israeli citizenship is almost always the recommended approach. It gives you:
- A safety net and right to return
- Israeli passport travel access
- National health insurance (Kupat Holim) eligibility if you return
- Inheritance and property rights in Israel
There is no financial or legal benefit to renouncing Israeli citizenship for most people.
This content is for informational purposes only.