How to Pay Your Electricity Bill in Israel Guide 2026
- All About Aliyah
- Mar 19
- 3 min read
Navigating utilities in a new country can be a headache, especially when dealing with the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC)—locally known as Hevrat HaHashmal (חברת חשמל).
Whether you are a new Oleh Chadash (new immigrant) or a veteran expat, understanding how to manage your "Chashmal - חשמל" (electricity) is crucial to avoiding late fees and unnecessary debt.
Moving In: Meter Reading Rule
Before you unpack, you must find your Moneh (מונה)—the electricity meter. In many Israeli apartment buildings, these are located in the hallway or a central utility room on the ground floor.
Crucial Step:
Take a clear photo of the meter reading on the exact day you receive your keys.
Why?
Electricity bills in Israel are often based on estimates (הערכה - ha'aracha) rather than actual readings. If you don't provide the IEC with the starting number from your move-in date, you might end up paying for the previous tenant’s usage.
Tip: A timestamped photo is your legal proof if a dispute arises with your landlord or the IEC.
How to Pay Your Israel Electric Bill
The IEC issues bills every two months. As of January 1, 2026, residential electricity rates have increased by 1.5%, bringing the average household bill up by approximately 6–10 NIS per month. Rates are now reviewed and updated every six months to better reflect market costs.
Payment Methods
Online via the IEC Website:
Visit the official portal. You will need your Contract Number (מספר חוזה) and Invoice Number (מספר חשבונית). The site supports Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Automatic Payment (Hora'at Keva):
This is the most recommended method. Setting up a standing order via your bank account or credit card ensures you never miss a payment and avoids the 103 phone queues.
WhatsApp & SMS:
You can message the IEC at 055-7000103 to submit meter readings or ask billing questions. This is often the fastest way to get a human response.
Phone:
Dial 103 for the "Electric Call Center."
Hours: Sun–Thu (08:00–19:00), Fri (08:00–13:00).
Transferring the Bill to Your Name
To transfer an account (changing the account name), you can use the IEC’s online "Change of Account Holder" portal or call 103.
You will need:
A copy of your Rental Contract.
Your Teudat Zehut (ID) or Passport number.
The Current Meter Reading (from your move-in photo).
The Contract Number (Mispar Chozeh - מספר חוזה) found on the previous tenant's bill.
Saving Money:
The 2026 Electricity Reform
The Israeli electricity market is now fully open to competition. While the IEC still maintains the power lines, you can choose who "supplies" your electricity and sends you the bill.
The Big Change:
You no longer need a Smart Meter (מונה חכם - Moneh Chacham) to switch!
Max Savings:
If you do have a Smart Meter, you can access specialized plans (e.g., "Work from Home" or "Night Owl" plans) with discounts of up to 20%.
Don't Forget These 3 Things!
1. Snap a photo of the meter the second you get your keys.
2. Submit your reading via WhatsApp (055-7000103) immediately to stop the previous tenant's billing.
3. Consider switching to a private provider to save ~7% instantly—it takes about two months to process, so start early!
Final Tip
To wrap everything up, use the official IEC Calculation Tools to take the guesswork out of your monthly budget; these calculators allow you to see your current bill status in real-time or use the Appliance Calculator to discover exactly how much it costs to run your water heater (דוד שמש - Dud shemesh) or air conditioner per hour based on the latest 2026 rates.
