Holiday Home in Israel for Sao Paulo Families
Holiday Home in Israel for Sao Paulo Families
For many Jewish families in Sao Paulo, trips to Israel are already part of the calendar: school holidays, bar and bat mitzvahs, visits to children who study or serve in the army. When those trips keep repeating, the idea of owning a holiday home instead of renting a hotel room or a short-stay apartment starts to make sense. The decision involves choosing the right city, deciding who looks after the property while the family is in Brazil and understanding the rules on short-term letting. This guide gathers the main points for families from Higienopolis, Jardins or Morumbi who would like a permanent address in Israel.
When a holiday home makes sense
A holiday home usually makes sense for families who travel to Israel more than once a year or who have close relatives there. It can also serve as a base for children on study, gap year or volunteering programmes.
On the other hand it requires maintenance, payment of arnona and building committee fees, and someone trustworthy on the ground. Families should weigh those ongoing commitments against the convenience of arriving at a home that is ready for them.
Favourite cities for holiday stays
Tel Aviv, with its urban beaches and cultural life, suits paulistanos used to a big city. Herzliya Pituach and Netanya offer the sea in a more residential setting, and Jerusalem is the choice for families who put the holidays and synagogue life first.
Eilat on the Red Sea draws those who want warm weather during the Israeli winter, and the Galilee around the Kinneret appeals to families who enjoy nature, hiking and small towns.
Tel Aviv for city life and the beach
Netanya and Herzliya for the sea with more calm
Jerusalem for the holidays and the synagogue
The Galilee and the Kinneret for nature
Brazilian school holidays and the Jewish calendar
School holidays in Sao Paulo rarely line up with the Jewish festivals. Many families use the July break and the southern summer at year end for longer stays, and keep the High Holidays for shorter visits.
With a time difference of several hours and flights that connect in Europe, choosing a neighbourhood with easy access to Ben Gurion airport or to a train station makes every arrival lighter, especially with children.
Renting out the weeks you do not use
Some owners let the apartment to other families or on a short-term basis when they are not in Israel. That can help cover costs, but it depends on the building rules, the municipality and the applicable taxation.
A local management company can take care of cleaning, check-ins and maintenance. Insist on a clear contract that defines the family's own dates, the fees and how income is reported to you.
Furnishing and remote upkeep
Buying a furnished property, or equipping the home through a local partner, makes life easier. Small repairs, air conditioning and solar water heaters need periodic attention, particularly after long periods without use.
Regular reports with photos, a trusted handyman and an agreed budget for urgent repairs spare the family unpleasant surprises when they arrive for the holidays.
Legal and tax care
A holiday home is usually treated as an additional property for Israeli purchase tax, and any rental income has its own rules. An Israeli lawyer and an Israeli tax advisor should review the purchase before you sign.
In Brazil, the property and any income it earns must be declared correctly. Speak with a Brazilian accountant so the holiday home is reported in the right way from the first year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tel Aviv or Jerusalem better for a holiday home
Tel Aviv suits families who want the beach and city life, while Jerusalem suits those who spend the festivals in synagogue and with extended family. Some families choose one and rent in the other when needed.
Can I let the apartment on short stays
Often yes, but it depends on the building, the municipality and the tax treatment. Check the building rules and get tax advice before listing the apartment.
Who takes care of the property when we are in Brazil
Most families use a local property manager or a trusted relative. A written agreement on responsibilities and costs keeps the arrangement clear.
Should the holiday home be furnished
A furnished home is much easier to use and to rent out. Many families furnish it gradually, leaving clothes and basics so each trip starts without shopping.
Elkayam Group
Elkayam Group is the Tel Aviv real estate company led by Kobi Elkayam Real Estate, part of a family that has been in industry since the forties and is now in its third generation. It is active in development, urban renewal, pinui-binui, TAMA 38 and combination deals, and works with backing companies and partners that can provide guarantees. With a team working in Hebrew, English and French, it helps families from Sao Paulo think through location and coordinates the local professionals.
Dreaming of a family base in Israel Talk to Elkayam Group about the right location.
+972-53-658-4252 · support@kobielkayamrealestateltd.com · Rival St 37, Tel Aviv