Transaction Prices in Israel: Access to Official Data Tightens

In Israel, the prices at which homes are actually sold have been public since 2010. This is a valuable advantage: in theory, you only need to consult the Tax Authority's database to find out how much the neighboring apartment sold for. Since the end of September 2026, accessing this information has become more restrictive. For buyers from abroad as well as Israelis already in Israel, this doesn't change the golden rule—always check before signing—but it does alter how you go about it.

What Has Changed on the Tax Authority Website

According to Globes, as of October 5, 2026, anyone wishing to view transaction prices on the Tax Authority website must now obtain a user code and enter a password. Registration requires identification in a personal area, which is based on several personal data points, including credit card information and elements from the annual payslip.

The Authority defends itself against accusations of closing the database. Its spokesperson explains that the site is subject to numerous intrusion attempts and that the goal is to reserve access for identified individuals, in order to protect the systems from mass extraction by artificial intelligence tools.

A Hard-Won Open Database

The newspaper recalls that this data was not accessible before 2010. It took legal action by two economists, based on the Freedom of Information Law, to open it. Each search is still limited to 150 transactions, according to a 2003 regulation.

Who is affected?

According to Globes, the database is no longer used only by appraisers: developers, researchers, municipalities, buyers, and sellers use it for orientation. Several stakeholders are concerned:

- A company specializing in real estate data reports that its data collection has slowed significantly.
- A researcher, whose institute publishes a quarterly price index based on repeat sales, regrets a decision made without consultation.
- A citizen website launched at the end of September, which gathered 1,609 datasets—mostly governmental—can no longer automatically extract this source, according to another Globes article.

Useful but Imperfect Data

The episode also highlights the limitations of the source. In 2025, the State Comptroller identified serious reliability issues.

There is an alternative: the government real estate website (nadlan.gov.il), which Globes tested and which works without identification. However, its data is partial. Out of ten randomly selected parcels by the citizen site, seven transactions listed in the fiscal database were missing, and some amounts differed.

How to Check a Price Today

1. Cross-Check at Least Two Sources

No database is complete. Compare the government website, listing portals that show price histories, and, if you have Israeli identification, the Tax Authority database. For an initial overview by city, our city budget simulator provides ballpark figures.

2. Compare Like with Like

A price only makes sense when related to the size, floor, building condition, and whether there is a balcony, parking, or mamad. Surface area errors noted by the State Comptroller show that a price per square meter based on a single entry can be misleading.

3. Check the Property Itself

The price says nothing about ownership rights. The land registry extract shows who owns the property, and whether there is a mortgage or annotation. Our Tabo guide explains how to read it.

4. Consult an Appraiser

For a significant purchase, an independent appraisal puts the asking price in market context and anticipates the value the bank will recognize.

Buyers from Abroad: An Additional Challenge

The required identification is based on personal data linked to the Israeli administration, which in practice means you must already be registered there. A buyer living outside Israel usually does not have this. They therefore rely more on the government website and local professionals. This is another reason not to trust a price list provided by the seller.

For an Israeli already in Israel, access remains possible, provided they register. The main issue is interpreting the information obtained, especially for new builds, where the displayed price sometimes includes discounts or payment conditions, as we explain in our article on developer promotions.

The right reflex: a three-step verification

Checking a price is only the first step. The total cost includes the 18% VAT already included in new property prices, closing costs of 10–13%, and the purchase tax (Mas Rechisha), which depends on your profile and can be estimated with our taxes and fees calculator. The analysis involves three experts: lawyer · broker · architect. The lawyer obtains and reviews official documents, the broker compares the price to the bank's valuation, and the architect checks the surfaces and plans.

IsraelStart lists 300+ new projects across Israel and helps you understand each price in its market context. Request a personalized assessment, with no obligation.

Sources

- Globes — The Tax Authority makes access to transactions conditional on identification (10/05/2026)
- Globes — A citizen public data site deprived of its main source (09/30/2026)