Taxes in Germany for Israelis
The basic rules to know before and after you move: tax residence, your tax ID, the treaty with Israel and income from abroad. Every rule links to its official source.
✓ Checked against the sources: October 2026⚠️ This isn't tax advice. It's general information checked against official sources, and it can change. Before deciding, talk to an accountant who knows both Israel and Germany.
When you become a German tax resident
Under Germany's income tax law (EStG), anyone with a home (Wohnsitz) or a "habitual abode" in Germany is taxed on worldwide income. A continuous stay of more than six months always counts as a habitual abode, and short breaks don't change that.
Source: EStG § 1 · Abgabenordnung § 9
Your tax ID (Steuer-ID)
After you register your address with the local registration office, the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt) assigns you a tax ID. Your employer needs it to deduct the right tax, so register early.
Source: BZSt: Steuer-ID · Bundesmeldegesetz § 17
🔒 4 more sections in this guide
- 🇮🇱 The double tax treaty between Israel and Germany
- 🗂️ Income from outside Germany
- 🗺️ What is federal and what is up to the state
- 🧑💻 Self-employed
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