Registering a Foreign Company (Branch) In Israel

A company incorporated overseas may establish an Israeli Branch or local office in Israel as long as it is registered as an Israeli Foreign Company (contrary to an Israeli Company or anIsraeli Singly Owned Company) with the Israeli Companies Registrar.

The first thing to consider before registering a Foreign Company in Israel is the nationality of the shareholder and director (e.g. the country of registration if the shareholder is a foreign corporation or the passport's country of issuance for an individual shareholder). This is necessary to verify if the "Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement for Legislation for Foreign Public Documents" (the Apostille convention) applies.

Assuming that the Apostille convention applies, In order to register an Israeli Foreign Company, a foreign company must submit all the following necessary documents to the Israeli Companies Registrar:

1. An Apostilled copy of the incorporation documents of your company and a Hebrew translation certified by an Israeli notary.

2. A list of the directors of your company, their passport numbers and addresses.

3. The name and address of an individual in Israel authorized to receive legal documents and notices on behalf of your company.

4. A power of attorney to an individual in Israel, empowering him to represent the corporate body in Israel.

5. An Apostilled certificate of good standing and a Hebrew translation certified by an Israeli notary.

The registration fee of an Israeli foreign company is NIS 2,638 (as of May 2015).

The registration procedure usually takes 2 business days (if filed with a legal currier) or up to 7 business days (otherwise).

After the registration is complete, the Israeli Companies Registrar will issue a certificate of incorporation and a company number (of 9 digits).

After the incorporation is complete, the company will need a local tax representative (an accountant) to register the company with the tax authorities and prepare annual tax reports.

Please don't hesitate to contact us for additional information.