Israeli Government Moves to Make It Easier for People Over 85 to Employ Foreign Care Givers
Israel's government approves new law allowing seniors 85+ to easily employ foreign caregivers without dependency tests or committee approval.
Jerusalem, 31 May, 2026 (TPS-IL) — the Government of Israel Sunday morning approved the proposal of the Minister of Welfare and Social Security, Haim Katz, to draft an amendment to the law that would allow senior citizens aged 85 and over to receive a permit to employ a foreign worker without the need for dependency tests and committee approval.
The new move, said the Welfare Ministry, places the “dignity and safety of Israel’s oldest senior citizens at the center.”
According to the proposed amendment, any senior citizen who is 85 years old and lives alone (and not in an institution or assisted living facility) will be automatically eligible to receive approval to employ a foreign worker in the nursing field – by virtue of belonging to this age group, and without any need to pass the dependency tests and National Insurance examinations that are currently in use.
The approval will be granted for the purpose of employment with the employer’s self-financing, without state participation, with the understanding that reaching extreme old age is in itself sufficient grounds for receiving assistance.
“This is a preventive measure designed to combat the severe effects of loneliness, increased vulnerability, and natural decline in physical strength at these ages,” explained the Ministry, adding that it provides, “the opportunity to easily employ a foreign worker at an early stage is intended to protect human lives, prevent rapid functional deterioration, and enable the older population to age with dignity, safety, and community.”
