General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and rates change and depend on your circumstances: check the official sources linked on this page and take advice from an Israeli lawyer and tax adviser before you act.
How buying remotely works
You choose the home and approve the price and the contract; your lawyer signs on your behalf under a power of attorney: the contract, the filings with the authorities and the registration. You can also sign the contract yourself on a visit and use the power of attorney only for what comes after.
Where to sign the power of attorney
There are two usual routes. One: sign before a consul at an Israeli mission, by appointment. You attend in person, and for real estate transactions you identify yourself with a valid passport or Israeli ID card only. Do not sign the document before the appointment. Two: sign before a local notary and have the signature authenticated with an apostille, since Israel is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention.
Ask your lawyer in advance which route they prefer for your purchase, and have them send you the draft before you sign.
Source: Embassy of Israel to the USA, verification of signatures at an Israeli mission (checked 18 October 2026)
What the power of attorney should cover
Your Israeli lawyer drafts it. It should identify the property and list the acts: signing the contract, reporting to the Tax Authority, registering a warning note and the ownership, and dealing with the bank if there is a mortgage. An irrevocable power of attorney is common for some of these steps. A power of attorney limited to one purchase is safer than a general one.
Viewing from a distance
We run live video viewings, send plans, measurements and pictures of the building and the street, and bring in an independent engineer to inspect the home when needed. Many buyers abroad make one trip before they decide; some buy without one.