Published: 2026-04-30 · Updated: 2026-05-01
The community mortgage — updated 2026 guide
What this right is
The community mortgage is a state loan dedicated to Ethiopian-Israelis — a fixed amount of ₪600,000 over 25 years, 0% interest for the first 10 years and 2% for the next 15. The loan is allocated by an annual lottery of ~200 families.
Who fits
Any household meeting one of the following:
- One spouse was born in Ethiopia
- One of the spouses' parents was born in Ethiopia
- The spouses are defined as "Falash Mura" who immigrated to Israel
How to register — step by step
- Choose a participating bank: Leumi / Discount / Igud
- Submit an application at a branch with national ID, marital status proof, income proof
- Pay the ₪70 registration fee
- Wait for annual lottery results (typically October-November)
- If you win — the bank sends an approval to sign a purchase contract within 30 days
Things to know
- The loan is for first-home purchases only
- Required equity: 5% of property value (vs the standard 25%)
- By 2024, ~3,200 families had used the right since 2017
