The Zakaut Mortgage Benefit
One of the most valuable housing benefits for new immigrants is access to a subsidized government משכנתא (Mashkanta) (mortgage). This is called a "mashkanta zakaut" — an entitlement mortgage — provided through the Ministry of Construction and Housing via commercial banks.
The core benefit: a portion of your mortgage at a fixed 3% annual interest rate, substantially below the commercial market rate (which as of 2025–2026 ranges from 3.5–6% depending on the track). This subsidized rate is guaranteed for the full term of the loan.
Eligibility
The Zakaut mortgage is available to olim for up to 15 years from your aliyah date. This is more generous than the mas rechisha 7-year window, giving you a longer time horizon to plan your purchase.
Eligibility requirements:
- You must be an oleh chadash (new immigrant) or returning resident (toshav chozer) with official status from the Jewish Agency or Ministry of Aliyah and Integration
- The property being purchased must be your primary residence (dirat megurim)
- You must not have previously received a Zakaut mortgage
- You must meet the bank's standard mortgage eligibility requirements (income, credit history, LTV ratio)
How Much Can You Get?
The Zakaut mortgage amount is not a fixed sum — it depends on your family size and the location of the property. The Ministry publishes updated amounts periodically. As a general guide for 2025–2026:
- Single person: approximately 200,000–280,000 NIS at the subsidized rate
- Couple: approximately 280,000–380,000 NIS
- Couple with children: additional amounts per dependent child
- Periphery bonus: Higher amounts are available if you purchase in designated peripheral areas (the Negev, Galilee, and other priority regions). The government actively incentivizes settlement outside the center by increasing the subsidized loan amount for periphery purchases
The Zakaut portion is typically a component of a larger mortgage — you take the subsidized government amount plus a commercial mortgage from the same bank to cover the remaining financing needed.
How to Apply
The Zakaut mortgage is applied for through any major Israeli bank (Hapoalim, Leumi, Discount, Mizrachi-Tefahot, or FIBI). The bank arranges both the subsidized component and the commercial component of your mortgage simultaneously. Steps:
- Visit your bank's mortgage center (merkaz mashkantaot) or a mortgage broker (yoetz mashkantaot)
- Inform them you are an oleh chadash and wish to use your Zakaut entitlement
- Provide your Teudat Oleh and any documentation of your aliyah date
- The bank submits the Zakaut application to the Housing Ministry on your behalf
- Approval of the subsidized component comes from the Ministry; the bank then structures the full mortgage combining the Zakaut and commercial portions
A Note on Mortgage Advisors
Consider using an independent mortgage broker (yoetz mashkantaot bilti-tolaim — an unaffiliated mortgage advisor) rather than going directly to one bank. A good advisor will:
- Compare offers across multiple banks
- Ensure the Zakaut component is structured correctly
- Help you build the right mix of mortgage tracks (covered in the next article)
- Negotiate on rate spreads above prime
Independent advisors charge a fee (typically 4,000–8,000 NIS) but frequently save significantly more than their fee through better mortgage structuring.