Israel has excellent medical facilities and vacationers can use all first aid centers and emergency rooms. Health centers are marked with a red Star of David on a white background. Restrictions must be expected in the Palestinian territories. A list of German-speaking medical examiners is available from the German Embassy in Tel Aviv (see addresses). It is recommended to take out travel health insurance and travel repatriation insurance. An individual first-aid kit should be taken with you and protected according to the temperatures on the way. Check directoryaah for more information.
Notes vaccinations
[1] When entering the country from one of the yellow fever endemic areas designated by the WHO, proof of vaccination against yellow fever must be provided. [2] Typhoid occurs (vaccination should be considered especially when traveling to the Palestinian Territories). The WHO requires all travelers who leave Israel and have stayed in Israel for more than 4 weeks to be vaccinated against poliomyelitis and to provide proof of this in a vaccination card.
Food and drink
Tap water is usually chlorinated and relatively clean, but you may experience a mild stomach upset. Bottled water, which is available everywhere, is therefore recommended for the first few weeks of your stay. When buying packaged water, you should make sure that the original packaging has not been opened. Milk, dairy products, meat products, poultry, fruit and vegetables can be consumed without concern.
Other risks
The standard vaccinations for children and adults recommended by the Robert Koch Institute (including against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), mumps, measles, rubella, pneumococci, poliomyelitis and influenza) should be refreshed before the trip if necessary. Hepatitis A occurs, hepatitis B is endemic. Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended, for long-term stays and for children and adolescents also against hepatitis B. Leishmaniasis, transmitted by butterfly mosquitoes, is rare. Protection is offered by skin-covering clothes and insect repellents. HIV/AIDS is a danger for everyone who takes risks of infection: sexual contacts, unclean syringes or needles and blood transfusions can pose a significant health risk. rabies occurs. Carriers include stray dogs and cats, forest animals and bats. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, occupational risk groups and for longer stays. In the event of a bite, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Tick bite fever occurs nationwide. Protection is offered by skin-covering clothes and insect repellents. In the event of a bite, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Tick bite fever occurs nationwide. Protection is offered by skin-covering clothes and insect repellents. In the event of a bite, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Tick bite fever occurs nationwide. Protection is offered by skin-covering clothes and insect repellents.
Money
Currency
1 New Israeli Shekel = 100 Agorot. Currency code: NIS, ILS (ISO code). Banknotes are in denominations of NIS 200, 100, 50 and 20. Coins in denominations of 10, 5, 2, 1 and ½ NIS and 10 agorot.
Credit cards
International credit cards are accepted in major hotels, shops and car rental companies. Further information from the issuer of the relevant credit card.
ATMs
Girocard With the Girocard (formerly EC card) such as the Maestro card, V Pay or Sparcard and PIN number, cash can be withdrawn from ATMs in the national currency throughout Europe. In many European countries it is also possible to pay with a debit card in shops. Cards with the Cirrus, V-Pay, Plus or Maestro symbol are accepted throughout Europe. Further information from banks and credit institutes. Attention: Travelers who want to pay with their bank customer card abroad and withdraw money should find out from their bank about the possibility of using their card before starting their journey.
Travelers cheques
Traveller’s checks are no longer available in Germany and Switzerland and are rarely available in Austria. US$ and euro traveler’s checks are recommended for Israel. They can be redeemed nationwide in Greece in some banks, exchange offices and post offices at high fees.
Bank opening hours
Sun-Thu 08.30-12.00, Sun, Tue, Thu + Sun 16.00-18.00. On the day before a Jewish holiday, it is usually only open in the morning. Banks around Ben Gurion Airport are open 24 hours.
Foreign exchange regulations
There is no limit on the import and export of national and foreign currencies, but there is an obligation to declare an amount equivalent to 50,000 NIS (Form 84a). At the border crossings of Nizana, the Jordan River and Yitzhak Rabin, there is a duty to declare from an amount equivalent to 12,000 NIS and at the Allenby border crossing of 2000 dinars. Authorization for exporting local currency must be obtained from the local bank before departure (higher amounts not recommended due to high exchange rate losses abroad). Export of foreign currencies in the amount declared upon entry.
Currency Exchange
Foreign currencies may only be exchanged in authorized banks and hotels. The local currency exchange offers the best rates. There are also exchange options at the airport. Unspent local currency should be exchanged back prior to departure. If you pay the hotel bill or some purchases in foreign currency (mainly in US dollars, pounds sterling or euros), you are exempt from VAT.
