Pensions and Bituach Leumi when you move to Italy
What happens to your Bituach Leumi, pension fund and keren hishtalmut when you leave Israel, and what waits for you in Italy.
✓ Checked against the sources: October 2026⚠️ This isn't pension, financial or tax advice. Before any withdrawal or change, talk to a licensed pension advisor or an accountant who knows Israel and Italy.
Bituach Leumi while you live abroad
People who leave Israel usually stay registered as residents for the first five years, unless Bituach Leumi decides otherwise or you ask to end your residence.
While you're a resident you keep paying. With no income, the minimum contribution is ₪266 a month (from 1.1.2026), which keeps your rights to benefits and your health insurance.
Source: Bituach Leumi: who counts as an Israeli resident (Hebrew) · Bituach Leumi: paying contributions abroad (Hebrew)
There is a social security agreement between Israel and Italy
The agreement has been in force since 1.12.2015. It covers contributions and old-age, survivors' and disability pensions:
- You pay contributions in only one country. A worker sent to Italy by an Israeli employer keeps paying in Israel for up to 48 months, and the employer applies to Bituach Leumi before you leave.
- If you work in Italy and pay there, you can ask for an exemption or refund of Israeli contributions. Arrange it at your branch before you leave.
- You can get an old-age pension from both countries. If you didn't build up enough insurance in one of them, periods in both countries are combined.
- The agreement doesn't cover national health insurance, so Israeli health contributions continue while you're a resident.
Source: Bituach Leumi: list of agreements (Hebrew) · Bituach Leumi: Israel and Italy agreement booklet (Hebrew)
🔒 3 more sections in this guide
- 💼 Pension funds, managers' insurance and keren hishtalmut
- 🌍 Tax on pensions under the treaty
- 🇮🇹 Your pension in Italy
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