Living in Israel
Finding a French-speaking doctor in Tel Aviv: the guide for olim
Moving to Israel is as much an administrative adventure as a human one. And among the first practical questions new immigrants (the olim) face is that of healthcare: how do you get treated, who do you turn to, and above all, how do you make sure you're properly understood when you don't yet speak medical Hebrew?
This guide, written by Dr Dylan Mergui, a French-speaking doctor based in Tel Aviv, gives you the essential markers to get care with peace of mind from the moment you arrive.
Why see a French-speaking doctor when you arrive
The language barrier is never trivial in medicine. Describing pain, understanding a diagnosis, grasping a dosage, or explaining your medical history: every nuance matters. A misunderstanding about a symptom or a treatment can have real consequences.
Consulting in French, at least while you improve your Hebrew, lets you:
- describe your symptoms precisely, without guesswork;
- understand your diagnosis and treatment in detail;
- ask all your questions without hesitation or shortcuts;
- ensure consistent follow-up of your medical history and ongoing treatments.
This matters especially in the first few months, when everything is new: the system, the paperwork, and the language.
Understanding the Israeli healthcare system in 5 minutes
The Israeli system is built on universal health insurance. Every resident, including an oleh once their rights are established, is affiliated with one of the four health insurance funds (the Kupot Holim). These funds all cover the same basic basket of care guaranteed by law (the sal briout).
| Fund (Kupa) | Distinguishing feature |
|---|---|
| Clalit | The largest, with a very extensive network of clinics and hospitals |
| Maccabi | Known for its network and digital services |
| Meuhedet | A mid-sized fund |
| Leumit | The smallest of the four |
All of them offer the same core of reimbursed care; they mainly differ in their network of doctors and clinics, the availability of specialists near you, and the supplementary insurance plans they offer.
Key takeaway: you're not choosing a level of basic care, you're choosing a network. The right criterion is often the proximity and availability of doctors who suit you, in your language.
What exactly the basic basket of care covers
The sal briout legally guarantees a common core of care to all residents, regardless of their fund: general practitioner consultations, a large share of specialties, hospital stays, and a list of reimbursed medications. This core is identical for everyone; what varies from one fund to another is mainly the optional supplementary insurance, the network of partner clinics, and appointment availability.
The central role of the family doctor
In Israel, the family doctor (rofé mishpakha) is your entry point into the system. They handle your overall follow-up, refer you to specialists, and prescribe and coordinate your care. Choosing well saves you a lot of stress down the line. Discover our approach to general medicine.
Registration steps for an oleh
The procedures evolve and depend on your personal situation, but the general logic is as follows:
- Establish your rights with the National Insurance Institute, the Bituach Leumi.
- Choose a fund (Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet or Leumit). You can change funds later, but not at any time.
- Choose your family doctor within that fund's network.
- Get your fund card, which you will use at every consultation and at the pharmacy.
If in doubt about your rights or the timelines, contact your fund and Bituach Leumi directly: only they can give you an authoritative answer for your file.
Bituach Leumi, the institution to know first
Bituach Leumi (the National Insurance Institute) is the body that establishes your health insurance rights and also manages other social benefits (allowances, pensions). It is therefore the very first administrative point of contact for an oleh regarding health, even before choosing a fund: without rights established with this institute, affiliation with a Kupat Holim cannot happen.
Changing funds: possible, but not at any time
The initial choice of a fund is not final: the law allows you to change it, but within specific windows and notice periods, not overnight. For a newcomer, it is therefore better to take the time to look into the network of French-speaking doctors available before choosing, rather than having to wait several months to correct a hasty choice.
Getting care in French in Tel Aviv, at Dr Mergui's clinic
Dr Dylan Mergui's clinic is located at Frishman 8A, in Tel Aviv. The entire consultation takes place in French, in general medicine as well as in aesthetic medicine and laser treatments. Dr Mergui is also affiliated with Clalit.
Whether you have just arrived or have been settled for a long time, you will find a medical contact who speaks your language for:
- your general medicine consultations and follow-up;
- your prevention and screening questions;
- guidance through the local healthcare system.
To learn more about the healthcare system, reimbursements, and a useful French-Hebrew medical glossary for the pharmacy or the emergency room, see our French-speaking healthcare guide in Israel. Once settled, also consider scheduling an annual health check-up to start your follow-up on the right footing.
Emergencies: the numbers to know from day one
Write down these numbers before you need them:
- 101: Magen David Adom (emergency medical services).
- 100: Police.
- 102: Fire department.
For a non-life-threatening situation, your family doctor or an urgent care centre run by your fund remains the first option, before hospital emergency rooms. Keep the full list of useful numbers close at hand.
In short
- An oleh benefits from universal health insurance once their rights are established with Bituach Leumi.
- The four funds cover the same basic care: choose mainly the network that suits you.
- The family doctor is your entry point into the whole system.
- Consulting in French avoids medical misunderstandings while you settle in.
Have you just arrived in Tel Aviv and are looking for a French-speaking doctor for your follow-up care? Book an appointment at Dr Mergui's clinic, at Frishman 8A.
This article is for informational purposes and does not replace a medical consultation. Administrative procedures can change: always check your rights with your fund and Bituach Leumi.
This article is written and reviewed by Dr Dylan Mergui, a French-speaking doctor in Tel Aviv (general medicine, aesthetic medicine and laser treatments). It is for informational purposes only and does not replace a medical consultation.
