Emergency Numbers & Access
Call 101 for MDA (Magen David Adom). MDA dispatchers speak Hebrew and English. The MDA app allows emergency calls with automatic GPS location. TEREM urgent care centres (טרם) — privately operated, located in major cities — are an excellent alternative to hospital ERs for non-life-threatening emergencies. Wait times at TEREM: 30-60 minutes vs. 2-6 hours at hospital ERs. Shabbat (שבת — Friday sunset to Saturday night) affects non-emergency healthcare availability — clinics closed, pharmacies on limited hours. Hospital ERs operate 24/7 regardless of Shabbat. During security situations (מצב ביטחוני), hospitals activate mass casualty protocols — routine appointments may be delayed.
Response time: 7-12 minutes urban areas, 15-25 minutes rural. MDA (מגן דוד אדום — Red Star of David) is Israel's national emergency medical service — extremely well-trained, comparable to top European EMS. MDA operates 200+ ambulance stations nationwide.
Cost: ER visit (חדר מיון): NIS 400-1,200 ($110-330) co-pay for kupat cholim members (partially reimbursed). Tourists without insurance: NIS 1,500-8,000+ ($410-2,190+) depending on treatment. MDA ambulance: NIS 400-800 ($110-220) — billed to health fund or patient. ICU: NIS 5,000-15,000/day ($1,370-4,110). Hospital admission: NIS 2,000-5,000/day ($550-1,370).
Healthcare System
Israel has one of the world's most efficient healthcare systems with outstanding outcomes — life expectancy ranks among top 10 globally despite spending relatively modest GDP on health. The four kupot cholim (health funds) compete for members and provide primary through tertiary care. Major hospitals include Sheba Medical Center (Tel HaShomer — ranked #1 in Israel, top 10 globally), Hadassah Medical Center (Jerusalem), Ichilov/Sourasky Medical Center (Tel Aviv), and Rambam Health Care Campus (Haifa). Israel is a global leader in medical innovation, digital health, and biotech. Telemedicine is well-established. The system has a strong GP gatekeeping model — specialists require referral. Medical tourism is significant, especially for fertility treatments, oncology, and cardiac surgery.
Designed for: All Israeli residents must join one of four kupot cholim under the National Health Insurance Law (חוק ביטוח בריאות ממלכתי, 1995). Coverage is comprehensive and among the best globally. Tourists and short-term visitors are NOT covered — must have private travel insurance.
GP Access & Costs
Tourists use TEREM urgent care centres, private doctors (רופא פרטי), or telemedicine services. Kupat cholim clinics are for members only. TEREM accepts walk-ins and has locations in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Modi'in, Be'er Sheva, and other cities. Private doctor visits bookable through platforms like IFeel and Doctorin. International medical tourism agencies coordinate specialist access.
Typical wait: TEREM: 30-60 minutes. Private doctor: same-day to next day. Kupat cholim GP (members): same-day to 2 days. Kupat cholim specialist (with referral): 1-6 weeks depending on specialty and urgency. MRI/CT through kupat cholim: 2-6 weeks (or pay privately for same-week).
Availability: Excellent throughout central Israel (Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Be'er Sheva). TEREM urgent care in major cities. Kupat cholim clinics in every neighbourhood. Private medicine concentrated in Tel Aviv (Assuta Medical Center is the largest private hospital). More limited options in Negev desert and peripheral areas. Arab and Druze communities have local kupat cholim clinics.
GP Visit
TEREM visit: NIS 300-600 ($82-165)
Private GP
TEREM urgent care: NIS 300-600 ($82-165). Private GP: NIS 400-800 ($110-220). Specialist: NIS 600-1,500 ($165-410). Dental (private): NIS 300-800 ($82-220) check-up, NIS 2,000-8,000 ($550-2,190) procedures. Private MRI: NIS 1,500-3,000 ($410-820).
ER Without Insurance
ER visit: NIS 1,500-8,000+ ($410-2,190+). Ambulance: NIS 400-800 ($110-220). Hospital admission: NIS 2,000-5,000/day ($550-1,370). ICU: NIS 5,000-15,000/day ($1,370-4,110). Surgery: NIS 10,000-100,000+ ($2,740-27,400+). Medical evacuation (rare — domestic helicopter): NIS 15,000-50,000 ($4,110-13,700).
Medication
Israel has a national drug formulary (סל התרופות) — kupat cholim members get subsidised medications with small co-pays (NIS 10-40/$3-11 per prescription). Tourists pay full pharmacy prices. Common medications: NIS 20-100 ($5-27). Specialised medications can be expensive: NIS 100-1,000+ ($27-275+). Super-Pharm (סופר-פארם) is the largest pharmacy chain — well-stocked and convenient. New-Pharm and Be Pharm are alternatives. Generic medications widely available and significantly cheaper.
Health insurance is required for visa
Pharmacy & Medication
Hours: Sun-Thu 8am-7pm (standard). Friday: 8am-2pm (pre-Shabbat). Saturday: most closed (Shabbat). Super-Pharm has extended hours (some until 11pm). Duty pharmacies (בית מרקחת תורן) operate on Shabbat and holidays — check municipal listing. 24-hour pharmacies limited to major cities.
OTC: Good range of OTC medications. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, antacids, antihistamines available without prescription. Antibiotics require prescription. Pharmacists are well-trained and can provide advice. Super-Pharm also stocks vitamins, supplements, and basic medical supplies.
Controlled substances: Moderate regulations — carry doctor's letter for all prescription medications. Israeli customs may inspect. Cannabis is decriminalised for personal use (not legal) and medical cannabis is available by prescription through licensed pharmacies. ADHD medications, opioids, and benzodiazepines require documentation. Bring generic names — brand names may differ. Some medications available OTC in other countries require prescription in Israel.
Practical Tips
- TEREM (טרם) urgent care — best option for tourists: fast, English-speaking, multiple locations. No appointment needed.
- Magen David Adom (MDA) app — download for one-touch emergency calling with GPS location sharing
- Sheba Medical Center (Tel HaShomer) — Israel's largest hospital and top-ranked globally. Go here for complex cases.
- Ichilov/Sourasky (Tel Aviv) — central location, excellent ER, major trauma centre
- Super-Pharm pharmacies — widespread, well-stocked, many have extended hours. Some are walk-in health clinics.
- Plan ALL medical activities (prescriptions, lab tests, follow-ups) around Shabbat — nothing runs Friday evening to Saturday evening
- Download "HaMada" (הנדד) app for duty pharmacy locations on Shabbat and holidays
- Tap water is safe to drink throughout Israel — no need for bottled water
- Dead Sea precautions: don't shave 24 hours before, cover any cuts, don't splash water in eyes, limit immersion to 20 minutes
- Medical tourism tip: Assuta Medical Center (private, Tel Aviv) is Israel's premier private hospital — English-speaking, fast access
Who can get care in Israel?
Emergency care for anyone
Emergency departments in Israel treat everyone regardless of residency or insurance status. Charges can still apply afterwards.
Public system for visitors
The public system does not cover visitors, so care is paid privately or through insurance.
Seeing a Doctor as a visitor
Tourists use TEREM urgent care centres, private doctors (רופא פרטי), or telemedicine services. Kupat cholim clinics are for members only. TEREM accepts walk-ins and has locations in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Modi'in, Be'er Sheva, and other cities. Private doctor visits bookable through platforms like IFeel and Doctorin. International medical tourism agencies coordinate specialist access. Typical cost: TEREM visit: NIS 300-600 ($82-165). Private GP: NIS 400-800 ($110-220). Private specialist: NIS 600-1,500 ($165-410). Telemedicine: NIS 200-400 ($55-110). Private MRI: NIS 1,500-3,000 ($410-820). Blood tests (private lab): NIS 200-800 ($55-220). Typical wait: TEREM: 30-60 minutes. Private doctor: same-day to next day. Kupat cholim GP (members): same-day to 2 days. Kupat cholim specialist (with referral): 1-6 weeks depending on specialty and urgency. MRI/CT through kupat cholim: 2-6 weeks (or pay privately for same-week).
Insurance needed for entry or visa
Proof of medical insurance is required for entry or for a visa to Israel.
Documents worth having ready
- Passport with 6+ months validity
- Travel insurance (mandatory for entry — border officials may ask for proof)
- ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorisation) — required for some nationalities, apply online before travel
- Return/onward ticket (immigration may request)
- Hotel booking or host details
- Prescription medications with detailed doctor's letter (Hebrew translation helpful)
Local contacts in Israel
Emergency services
101 (Magen David Adom — MDA) / 112 (international) / 100 (police) / 102 (fire)
Call 101 for MDA (Magen David Adom). MDA dispatchers speak Hebrew and English. The MDA app allows emergency calls with automatic GPS location. TEREM urgent care centres (טרם) — privately operated, located in major cities — are an excellent alternative to hospital ERs for non-life-threatening emergencies. Wait times at TEREM: 30-60 minutes vs. 2-6 hours at hospital ERs. Shabbat (שבת — Friday sunset to Saturday night) affects non-emergency healthcare availability — clinics closed, pharmacies on limited hours. Hospital ERs operate 24/7 regardless of Shabbat. During security situations (מצב ביטחוני), hospitals activate mass casualty protocols — routine appointments may be delayed.
Pharmacies
Sun-Thu 8am-7pm (standard). Friday: 8am-2pm (pre-Shabbat). Saturday: most closed (Shabbat). Super-Pharm has extended hours (some until 11pm). Duty pharmacies (בית מרקחת תורן) operate on Shabbat and holidays — check municipal listing. 24-hour pharmacies limited to major cities.
Good range of OTC medications. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, antacids, antihistamines available without prescription. Antibiotics require prescription. Pharmacists are well-trained and can provide advice. Super-Pharm also stocks vitamins, supplements, and basic medical supplies.
What is the emergency number in Israel?
101 (Magen David Adom — MDA) or 112 (international) or 100 (police) or 102 (fire) in Israel. Call 101 for MDA (Magen David Adom). MDA dispatchers speak Hebrew and English. The MDA app allows emergency calls with automatic GPS location. TEREM urgent care centres (טרם) — privately operated, located in major cities — are an excellent alternative to hospital ERs for non-life-threatening emergencies. Wait times at TEREM: 30-60 minutes vs. 2-6 hours at hospital ERs. Shabbat (שבת — Friday sunset to Saturday night) affects non-emergency healthcare availability — clinics closed, pharmacies on limited hours. Hospital ERs operate 24/7 regardless of Shabbat. During security situations (מצב ביטחוני), hospitals activate mass casualty protocols — routine appointments may be delayed.
How much does a Doctor visit cost in Israel?
TEREM visit: NIS 300-600 ($82-165). Private GP: NIS 400-800 ($110-220). Private specialist: NIS 600-1,500 ($165-410). Telemedicine: NIS 200-400 ($55-110). Private MRI: NIS 1,500-3,000 ($410-820). Blood tests (private lab): NIS 200-800 ($55-220). Private consultations: TEREM urgent care: NIS 300-600 ($82-165). Private GP: NIS 400-800 ($110-220). Specialist: NIS 600-1,500 ($165-410). Dental (private): NIS 300-800 ($82-220) check-up, NIS 2,000-8,000 ($550-2,190) procedures. Private MRI: NIS 1,500-3,000 ($410-820)..
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Sources: Israeli Ministry of Health (משרד הבריאות), Magen David Adom (MDA), TEREM Urgent Care, Sheba Medical Center, CDC Travelers' Health — Israel 2024, WHO Israel Country Profile, UK Foreign Office Travel Advice Israel
Last reviewed: March 2026 by ViscaCare
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