Israel, a land of ancient history, religious landmarks, and cutting-edge innovation, offers a travel experience like no other. Whether you’re exploring the Old City of Jerusalem, floating in the Dead Sea, or enjoying Tel Aviv’s vibrant nightlife, knowing how to manage your money is essential. Cards are widely accepted across the country, but cash can still be useful in markets, small shops, and for tipping. This guide covers everything you need to know about cash and ATMs in Israel, including withdrawal fees, transaction limits, exchange rates, and card acceptance, ensuring a smooth and informed journey.
Where to find ATMs in Israel?
Cities like Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa have widespread ATM coverage. Machines are commonly found outside bank branches (e.g., Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, Mizrahi-Tefahot), in commercial areas, malls, and transit hubs. Most ATMs support international cards (Visa, Mastercard) and offer interfaces in Hebrew, Arabic, English, and Russian. Many machines are available 24/7.
Tourist Spots:
Popular areas such as the Old City of Jerusalem, Jaffa, the Dead Sea resorts, and Eilat have ATMs near hotels, souvenir shops, and bus terminals. ATMs in central Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion Airport are plentiful and reliable. However, some machines may charge fees for foreign cards or only issue denominations in large bills – use bank-owned machines when possible.
Rural Areas:
In the Negev Desert, Golan Heights, Galilee, and small kibbutzim or moshavim, ATM access is limited. Remote guesthouses, roadside markets, and desert hiking areas may operate entirely on cash. It’s best to withdraw sufficient Israeli shekels (ILS) before heading into rural zones.
Best ATMs to use in Israel for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Israel are those owned by popular banks such as:
- Bank Leumi,
- Hapoalim,
- Bank Yahav, and
- Discount Bank.
There are other banks with ATMs that also accept international debit and credit cards.
There are no known Global ATM Alliance member banks or All Points network banks in Israel.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Israel, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in ILS).
– If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
– If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in ILS’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Israel?
Yes, many foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Israel. ATMs commonly accept Visa, Mastercard and ChinaUnionPay. Only a handful might accept Plus, Cirrus cards. Others like JCB, Maestro, American Express, Diners, Discover and Rupay cards are generally not accepted.
What are the ATM opening hours?
ATMs in Israel are available 24/7, especially in cities like Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa. Machines at bank branches or malls remain accessible after hours through exterior units.
What are ATMs called in Israel?
In Israel, ATMs are commonly known as “כספומט” (Kaspomat) in Hebrew. Tourist-friendly areas sometimes show signage in English with word “ATM” on it.
Language options at ATMs
Most ATMs offer interfaces in Hebrew. A lot of the machines do not provide instructions in English. If there is a language option, it will be available for selection usually immediately after card insertion. Some ATMs also have external branding on the machine that they offer English as a language option.
Don’t know the language? Use the Google Translate camera function to get a rough translation of the ATM screen.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Israel?
ATMs in Israel issue only Israeli new shekels (ILS). Foreign currencies withdrawals are not available from standard ATMs. Even at machines in tourist-heavy areas, withdrawals will be in ILS only.
ATM withdrawal limits in Israel?
ATMs in Israel have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of ILS 2,500 to ILS 6,000, with most common being ILS 6,000 per transaction. Banks usually do not limit the number of transactions per day.
ATM Fees in Israel
There are many fee-free ATMs in Israel. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Israel do not charge any ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. One bank charges ILS 13.9 per transaction as ATM Fee. So you have many fee-free options as a foreign card holder to withdraw cash here.
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Israel. These are:
1. Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
2. Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Israel
Use the lower fee ATMs in the country.
Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
Consider getting fee-free cards from your home country.
Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Israel?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Israel. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Israel. Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Safety at ATMs
Israel is generally safe for travelers, and ATM-related crime is relatively low. ATMs are widely available and usually safe to use, especially when located in banks, shopping centers, or well-trafficked areas. While serious crime is uncommon, petty theft and card skimming have occurred in tourist-heavy areas such as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Avoid using ATMs late at night in isolated spots. Shield your PIN, be discreet with your cash, and regularly monitor your account to quickly spot any unusual activity.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Israel takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs in Israel?
Yes, its possible. There are many fee-free ATMs in Israel. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Israel do not charge any ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. One bank charges ILS 13.9 per transaction as ATM Fee. So you have many fee-free options as a foreign card holder to withdraw cash here.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in Israel?
Yes. ATMs in major cities in Israel and international hotel chains accept many types of international cards.
Bitcoin ATMs?
Israel has several Bitcoin ATMs, including four machines in Tel Aviv, plus additional locations in Jerusalem, Haifa, Ramat Gan, and Be’er Sheva. Many are located at crypto exchanges like Bits of Gold (e.g., Tel Avips’ Bitcoin Embassy), with operating hours publicly listed and generally open extended hours
Foreign bank ATMs’ presence in Israel
- Bank of America: No, there are no Bank of America ATMs here.
- Citibank: No, Citibank does not operate in Israel.
- Barclays: No, Barclays is not present.
- HSBC: No, HSBC does not operate retail ATMs in Israel.
- Standard Chartered: No, Standard Chartered does not operate ATMs here.
