Dreaming of owning your first home in Israel but worried that Prices are just too steep? Good News! Israel’s famous “Dira BeHanacha” housing lottery—also known as the “Apartment at a Discount” program—runs in periodic nationwide rounds. Here’s the scoop on exactly when the next drawing will take place, what you need to do to prepare, and how you can participate.
Official status checked June 4, 2026: the Dira BeHanacha portal showed a live lottery round open from May 25 to June 22, 2026, with 7,922 apartments across 82 project lotteries in 19 cities. There is no fixed monthly or quarterly lottery schedule; each round is announced separately. Before relying on dates, confirm the live round on the official lottery portal, the government registration service, and your eligibility certificate status.
So, When is the Next Lottery Happening?
The “Dira BeHanacha” discounted-housing program runs in periodic rounds whose exact dates change each time. As of June 4, 2026, the official portal showed a live round open from May 25 to June 22, 2026. Always confirm current dates, cities, quotas, and eligibility on the official government housing site before relying on any timing.
Each round gives thousands of hopeful homebuyers another shot at affordable apartments.
How Many Lottery Rounds Are There?
The government holds lottery rounds periodically, but there is no fixed monthly or quarterly schedule. The number, timing, cities, and project mix vary by official round:
- Earlier round: typically in spring
- Later round: typically later in the year
Splitting the lotteries into two separate events makes sure there’s a steady supply of discounted homes available throughout the year, giving you multiple chances to participate if you miss out the first time.
Which Cities Will Offer Apartments in the Next Lottery?
This upcoming round is focusing especially on towns located away from the busy center of Israel. The government wants to encourage more people to settle in the northern and southern regions of Israel, helping these communities grow and giving young families affordable choices outside major cities.
Recent rounds have focused on periphery towns such as:
- Ofakim (Southern Israel)
- Shlomi (Northern Israel)
- Nahariya (Northern Israel)
- Tiberias (Northern Israel)
However, a limited number of discounted apartments might also still be available in more central Locations, providing a bit of variety for applicants.
Special Priority for IDF Reservists
An important note: a significant and growing share of these discounted apartments is reserved for active reservists. The government has been expanding this priority — under the updated rules for the next round, roughly half of the apartments would be earmarked for reservists, with extra weighting for combat reservists who served 60+ days since October 2023. Check the official site for the exact current allocation.
What Do You Need to Do Before the Lottery?
If you’re thinking of joining this lottery, there’s one crucial step you must complete first—getting your eligibility certificate (called “Te’udat Zakaut”). This certificate proves you qualify for the program, mainly by showing that you’re a first-time homebuyer and don’t already own a residential property.
Here’s how to get it done:
- Visit the official government housing lottery website.
- Apply online and fill out the required Details.
- Receive your certificate online, which usually remains valid for around one year.
- Pay the required processing fee (the amount is set by the housing authority and can change).
Make sure you do this step before the lottery opens for registrations, since you can’t participate without it. Don’t wait until the last minute!
Too Long; Didn’t Read (TL;DR)
- Lottery rounds run periodically; the next (11th) round was slated for around April 2026 but was paused for rule updates — confirm current dates officially.
- The government typically holds more than one round per year, but timing varies.
- Cities include Shlomi, Nahariya, Tiberias (north), and Ofakim (south), with limited central locations.
- Obtain your eligibility certificate early—it’s mandatory for lottery registration.
- Active reservists receive strong priority — the reserved share has been expanded toward roughly half in the upcoming round.
Stay informed, get your paperwork ready, and good luck on your journey to affordable homeownership in Israel!
If the lottery timing or eligibility does not fit your plans, a standard purchase may be the faster route. See our guide to buying a home in Israel.
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