Can I actually go to Israel? Visa, advisory, insurance in 2026
The visa side is easy — no visa needed for UK or US passports. The advisory side is where 'can I go to Israel?' gets its real answer.
"Can I actually go to Israel?" is one of the most-searched travel questions of 2026. The honest answer is neither a flat yes nor a flat no — it's a "yes, in most areas, if you understand what the governments are actually telling you, and what your insurance will and won't cover".
The short version
Both the UK FCDO and the US State Department currently advise against travel to specific parts of Israel and the Palestinian territories, not the entire country. Tel Aviv and much of central Israel typically sit under a "reconsider" or "exercise increased caution" advisory rather than a blanket "do not travel".
That distinction matters for two reasons: your travel insurance usually voids cover for any area under "advise against all travel", and airlines occasionally suspend routes on short notice. Read the current advisory for the specific areas of your trip, not just the country name.
What each government says
UK FCDO: generally advises against all travel to Gaza, and against all but essential travel to certain border areas with Lebanon and Syria and parts of the West Bank. Elsewhere, they typically ask travellers to exercise caution and follow local authorities on any restricted-movement rules.
US State Department: issues area-specific advisories for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, with Gaza almost always at Level 4 ("Do not travel"), and other areas at Level 2 or 3 depending on current conditions.
Always read the live advisory before you book. Both are linked at the bottom of every Visa Panic destination page. Our Israel page for UK passports and Israel page for US passports keep the visa side up to date.
The visa side — the easy bit
Neither UK British Citizen nor US passport holders need a visa for short tourism in Israel. On arrival, most travellers get a paper entry slip valid for up to 90 days. Israel no longer stamps most passports — keep that entry slip safe; you'll need it at your hotel and on departure.
Some travellers to onward destinations that don't accept an Israeli stamp (a shrinking list) find this useful; others find the paper slip easy to lose. Photograph it the moment you get it.
Practical realities on the ground
- Ben Gurion Airport (Tel Aviv) has strict security screening on arrival and departure. Expect questions about your itinerary, contacts in the country, and reason for travel. Answer factually and calmly.
- Some flights have been cancelled or rerouted at short notice throughout 2024–2026. Book with a flexible fare where possible and watch your airline's advisories in the weeks before you fly.
- Rocket-attack and shelter drills happen in some regions. Familiarise yourself with what to do — hotel staff will brief you.
- Dual UK-Israeli or US-Israeli nationals should carry both passports and understand the reserve-duty implications if they apply.
Should you go?
Only you can answer that. What we can say is:
- The visa itself is not the obstacle — no visa required for either passport for short tourism.
- The real risk isn't paperwork; it's whether current conditions in the specific area of your trip make travel wise, and whether your insurance will actually cover you if something goes wrong.
- Both are moving targets. Check the FCDO or State Department page the week you fly, not the month you booked.
Before you fly
- Read the current FCDO / State Department advisory for the specific areas of your trip
- Confirm your travel insurance covers your destination areas — get it in writing
- Passport valid ≥6 months beyond entry
- Print or screenshot the electronic entry slip on arrival
- Register with your government's traveller programme (STEP for US, LOCATE for UK where relevant)
The verdict
Most travel to Israel today is legal and possible for UK and US passport holders — the border isn't closed. What has changed is the homework: it's now a country where "check the advisory before you book" is a genuine requirement, not a formality. If in doubt, look at Israel's neighbours instead — our travel advisories page lists the current picture across the region.