Who owns what in a marriage in Israel?

Separate ownership during the marriage, with the gains shared at the end

In Israel spouses own their own property during the marriage, and at divorce or death the property acquired during the marriage is balanced between them, generally in equal shares.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

The default, not your case. This page describes what applies when a couple sign no contract. Family law changes, and a court can decide differently on the facts of a case. For a couple with a foreign spouse, take advice in each country involved. This is general information, not legal advice.

What applies by default

Each spouse owns and manages their property during the marriage. Property from before the marriage and gifts and inheritances are not counted in the balancing.

When the marriage ends in divorce

The value of the property acquired during the marriage is balanced so that each spouse receives half, with some exceptions for gifts and inheritances.

A marriage contract

Spouses can make a property agreement, which generally needs formal approval to be valid.

What stays your own, and gifts

Property from before the marriage, gifts and inheritances are generally excluded.

If one spouse is a foreigner

Religious courts and the civil courts have different roles in Israel, so where a divorce is brought can affect the result.

Understand the legal system first

Israel belongs to the Mixed: civil and common law family. Family law grows out of the legal tradition, so it helps to know how the system works.

Read the Israel legal-system profile in the Legal Families Atlas →

Official sources

Ministry of Justice of Israel

TheLawToKnow Tools’s marital property guide is an educational overview of general rules. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace the official source or a lawyer in the country. Report a mistake.