The Israeli Passport in 2026: Visa-Free Countries and Where a Visa Is Needed
The passport is not the reason most people repatriate, but it is a fair question. All figures here come from the BRIDGES Passport Index for Israel, dated 4 October 2026, and the entry requirements page.
The ranking
The Israeli passport ranks 20th of 199. It opens 166 of 226 destinations without a prior visa. By type of entry:
| Type of entry | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Visa-free | 124 |
| Electronic authorisation (ETA) | 17 |
| Visa on arrival | 25 |
| E-visa | 30 |
| Visa required | 30 |
The 166 is the sum of the first three rows. The BRIDGES programme page gives “160+” and warns that lists change, so I treat the exact number as a snapshot.
Key destinations
- Schengen area: visa-free, 90 days.
- United Kingdom: ETA, 180 days.
- United States: ESTA.
- Canada: eTA, 180 days.
- Japan: visa-free, 90 days; South Korea: ETA, 90 days.
- United Arab Emirates and Turkey: visa-free, 90 days.
- Brazil and Argentina: visa-free, 90 days; Mexico: 180 days.
The weak spots
A prior visa is needed for 60 destinations. China and Indonesia need a visa, India, Australia and Vietnam an e-visa. BRIDGES also warns that some countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa require a visa arranged in advance or do not accept an Israeli passport at all. Entry rules can change at any moment, including for political reasons, so the check has to be made on the date of travel.
When you actually get it
A new citizen does not get this passport at once. In the first year there is a teudat maavar travel document, and the passport comes later under the 60 per cent rule. I explain this in the guide to life after aliyah. Visa-free entry with a teudat maavar is not the same as with a passport, so check each trip separately.
Taxes and other criteria
The same index gives the passport an overall score of 74 of 100. It notes a top income tax rate of up to 50 per cent, no inheritance tax and taxation of worldwide income. I mention this because residence in Israel, not the passport alone, decides your tax position.
Questions and answers
How many countries can I visit without a visa?
166 destinations without a prior visa out of 226, according to the BRIDGES Passport Index of 4 October 2026.
Is Schengen visa-free?
Yes, for up to 90 days according to the index.
What about the US, the UK and Canada?
The index lists an electronic travel authorisation for all three: ESTA for the US, ETA for the UK and eTA for Canada.
Where is a visa needed?
For 60 destinations a prior visa is needed, electronic or consular. China and Indonesia need a visa, India and Australia an e-visa.
Sources
- BRIDGES Passport Index: Israel
- BRIDGES: Israel entry requirements by country
- BRIDGES: Israeli citizenship by repatriation
Checked on 29 October 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm them with the official sources before you file anything.