Israel Travel Insurance Guide
Israel requires specialized high-risk travel insurance with terrorism coverage due to ongoing conflict. As of January 2025, all US citizens must obtain Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL) before entry. The US maintains Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) advisory with Level 4 (Do Not Travel) for Gaza and areas within 4km of Lebanese/Syrian borders. Standard policies exclude war and terrorism; specialized coverage essential.
- What there is to do in Israel Travel Insurance Guide
- Cultural experiences & natural wonders
- Seasonal attractions & adventure activities
- Quick profiles of major cities
- Hotel cost ranges
- Visa & entry requirements
- Healthcare costs & detailed insurance breakdown
Safety Ratings and Resources
Urban areas can feel safe day-to-day but women face conflict-related risks, occasional harassment, and security incidents.
View Women's Travel Safety Guide →Vibrant scenes in Tel Aviv; conservative and religious communities less accepting; regional security issues.
View LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Guide →Visa & Entry Requirements
- Valid passport required (must be valid for at least 90 days from entry for ETA-IL; 6 months for visa)
- Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL) required as of January 1, 2025 for US/UK/Canada/Australia citizens
- ETA-IL application fee: 25 Israeli Shekels (approximately $6.80 USD)
- Apply at israel-entry.piba.gov.il at least 72 hours before departure
- ETA-IL valid for multiple entries over 2 years or until passport expires
- Entry permitted for tourism, business, or short-term study for stays up to 90 days
Additional visa information
- US/UK/Canada/Australia citizens must obtain ETA-IL before travel (mandatory since January 1, 2025)
- ETA-IL costs 25 Israeli Shekels (~$6.80 USD) and is valid for 2 years or until passport expires
- Apply online at israel-entry.piba.gov.il at least 72 hours before departure
- ETA-IL allows stays up to 90 days for tourism, business, or short-term study
- No visa required for stays under 90 days with approved ETA-IL
- For longer stays or work purposes, visa required in advance from Israeli consulate
Healthcare & Medical Information
Healthcare overview
Israel has excellent healthcare quality with modern facilities and highly trained professionals, but tourists are not covered by the national health system and must pay all costs out-of-pocket. Israeli hospitals often require payment upfront before treatment. Emergency room visits start at 900 NIS ($240-250 USD) but can escalate to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars for hospitalization or surgery. Private doctor visits range from $80-300 USD; specialists cost $250-600+ USD. Hospital overnight stays exceed $1,500 for tourists. English-speaking medical staff are widely available, especially in major cities (Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa). US health insurance including Medicare is not accepted in Israel. Due to ongoing security concerns, specialized travel insurance covering terrorism and armed conflict is essential - standard policies typically exclude these. Medical evacuation to the US can cost $150,000-$250,000. Many affordable policies exclude terrorism coverage or areas with Level 4 travel advisories. Purchase specialized high-risk travel insurance that explicitly covers terrorism-related incidents and check that coverage applies to your intended destination areas in Israel.
Typical medical costs
- Emergency room visit: 900+ NIS ($240-250 USD), significantly higher if hospitalized
- Urgent care clinic visit (Terem): 480 NIS ($130 USD) for tourists
- Private doctor visit: $80-300 USD
- Private specialist consultation: $250-600 USD
- Hospital overnight stay: $1,500+ USD for tourists
- Serious hospitalization/surgery: $10,000-$100,000+ USD
- Medical evacuation to US: $150,000-$250,000 USD
- Recommended minimum coverage: $100,000-$250,000 medical, $250,000+ evacuation
Travel Insurance Recommendations
While travel insurance is not always required, it's recommended for international travel to protect against unexpected medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other travel-related issues.
Common travel issues to consider
- Trip cancellations due to terrorism, armed conflict, and civil unrest
- Medical emergencies (tourists not covered by national health system, must pay upfront)
- Trip interruptions due to security situations and rocket attacks
- Emergency evacuations from conflict zones near Gaza and Lebanese border
- Theft and pickpocketing at tourist sites, transportation hubs, and markets
- Flight cancellations and delays during security incidents
Recommended providers
Consider comparing policies from multiple providers to find coverage that matches your travel needs.
Emergency Contacts
Police
100
Ambulance (Magen David Adom)
101
Fire
102
US Embassy Jerusalem - Business Hours
+972-2-630-4000
US Embassy Jerusalem - After Hours Emergency
+972-2-622-7230
US Embassy Tel Aviv Branch - Business Hours
+972-3-519-7475
US Embassy Tel Aviv - After Hours Emergency
+972-3-519-7575
US Embassy Email (Jerusalem)
JerusalemACS@state.gov
US Embassy Email (Tel Aviv)
TelAvivACS@state.gov