Is electronic signature legal in Israel?
Yes. Israel's Electronic Signature Law 2001 recognizes electronic, secure and certified electronic signatures, and since a 2018 amendment any electronic signature can meet a legal signature requirement if it achieves the purpose of that requirement with sufficient certainty. Holographic (handwritten) wills cannot be made electronically.
Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
E-signature law in Israel at a glance
- Status
- Legal
- Approach
- Tiered: simple, advanced and qualified
Types of electronic signature in Israel
Electronic signature
Any electronic signature, such as a drawn or typed signature. Admissible as evidence and, since 2018, can meet a statutory signature requirement if the purpose is met with sufficient certainty.
Secure electronic signature
Unique to the signer, identifies them, created under their sole control and reveals later changes. It is prima facie evidence that the message was not changed after signing.
Certified electronic signature
A secure signature backed by a certificate from a certification authority registered with the Ministry of Justice. It is prima facie evidence that the certificate holder signed.
What you can sign electronically in Israel
- Commercial and sales contracts
- Employment contracts
- Lease agreements
- Consumer agreements
Documents that need a handwritten signature or extra formalities
- Holographic (handwritten) wills, which cannot be made with any electronic signature (First Schedule, Part B)
- Witnessed wills, wills made before an authority and memoranda of oral wills, which can be signed electronically only with a certified electronic signature (First Schedule, Part A)
Contracts that must be “in writing”
After the 2018 amendment, where a law requires a signature, an electronic signature can satisfy it if it fulfils the purposes of the requirement with sufficient certainty in the circumstances. Where one party controls the signing method, that party bears the burden of proving the other party signed, unless a certified signature was used.
E-signatures in Israel: frequently asked questions
Is a simple e-signature enough for a contract in Israel?
Often yes. Since the 2018 amendment, any electronic signature can meet a signature requirement if it serves its purpose with sufficient certainty, though certified signatures give stronger proof.
Who bears the risk if the signer denies signing?
Where one party controlled the signing method, that party must prove the other signed, unless a certified electronic signature was used.
Can wills be signed electronically in Israel?
A holographic will, which must be handwritten, cannot be made electronically. Other wills, such as wills made before witnesses or before an authority, can be signed electronically only with a certified electronic signature.
Sources
This page is general information about e-signature law in Israel, not legal advice. It was last reviewed in October 2026, and laws change. Check the official sources above or ask a lawyer in Israel before you rely on an electronic signature for an important document. See also whether electronic signatures are legal.
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