Making Aliyah from Curitiba and Finding a Home in Israel
Making Aliyah from Curitiba and Finding a Home in Israel
Update: Israel's national TAMA 38 plan expired on 18 May 2026. New building-strengthening and renewal projects now go through alternative routes, such as municipal replacement plans and pinui-binui.
Families who make aliyah from Curitiba often joke that the biggest change is the weather: from grey, cool winters and pine trees to long, bright Israeli summers. Behind the joke lie real decisions about where to live, how to rent, when to buy and how to rebuild a professional life. The formal process with the Jewish Agency is only the start. This guide looks at the preparations to make in Curitiba, how the climate affects the choice of home, which cities newcomers from Parana tend to consider, why renting first is usually wise, when buying makes sense and how to plan work and professional recognition. It is general guidance and does not replace professional advice.
Preparing in Curitiba
Assemble birth, marriage and academic documents with translations and apostilles, along with proof of eligibility. The Jewish Agency representation in Brazil and community leaders in Curitiba can explain the requirements.
Meet a Brazilian accountant to plan your exit from Brazilian tax residency and the treatment of any property or investments you keep in Parana.
From the Parana cold to the Israeli climate
Most of Israel has hot, dry summers and mild winters, while Jerusalem and the northern hills are cooler and can be cold on winter nights. People from Curitiba who miss cooler weather sometimes prefer Jerusalem, Safed or the Carmel in Haifa.
When viewing apartments, look at orientation, shade, insulation and air conditioning. A west-facing apartment without shade can be very hot in summer, while good cross-ventilation makes a big difference.
Cities to consider
Modiin, with its planned layout and parks, often appeals to families from Curitiba. Raanana, Kfar Saba and Hod Hasharon offer international communities and good schools, while Tel Aviv suits young professionals.
Jerusalem attracts religious families and those who value its cultural life, and Haifa offers universities, sea views and a relaxed rhythm.
Modiin for planned neighbourhoods and parks
The Sharon cities for community and schools
Jerusalem for cooler hills and religious life
Haifa for universities and the sea
Rent first
Renting during the first year lets you test a neighbourhood, see how the children settle and understand the market. Leases are generally annual and require guarantees such as a bank guarantee or guarantors.
Read the lease carefully, or ask someone experienced to do so, paying attention to maintenance, pets, subletting and early termination. Photograph the apartment on the day you receive the keys and share the photos with the landlord, which helps when the guarantee is returned at the end of the lease.
When to buy
Buying makes sense once you know which city and neighbourhood suit you, and once work and income are stable. Israeli banks look closely at local employment history, so a mortgage is often easier to obtain after some time working in Israel. New immigrants may have access to specific conditions on purchase tax and mortgages, which an Israeli lawyer and tax advisor can confirm.
Use an independent lawyer to check the title, debts, permits and renewal plans, and to register a warning note after signing.
Work and professional recognition
Engineers, doctors, lawyers, accountants and other licensed professionals usually need to go through a recognition process or exams in Israel. Starting early, even before the move, can shorten the wait.
The technology sector in the Tel Aviv area, Haifa and Beer Sheva employs many immigrants, often in English. Choosing a home with good rail access to these hubs widens your options.
Ties with Parana
Many families keep an apartment or investments in Curitiba. Keeping assets in Brazil has tax consequences in both countries, and the reporting obligations differ. An apartment in Curitiba that is let to tenants, for example, generates income that may need to be reported in Israel as well as in Brazil once you become an Israeli resident.
Staying in touch with your Brazilian accountant and coordinating with an Israeli tax advisor keeps your situation organised.
Frequently asked questions
Which Israeli city has a climate closest to Curitiba
Jerusalem and the northern hills are cooler than the coast, especially in winter, and some families from Curitiba prefer them for that reason.
Is renting always better at the start
Not always, but it is a sensible default. Renting gives you time to learn the market and choose a neighbourhood without pressure.
Will my Brazilian diploma be recognised
Many professions require a formal recognition process or licensing exam. Check with the relevant Israeli authority as early as possible.
Can I buy before arriving in Israel
It is possible with a lawyer and a power of attorney, but most families prefer to visit or rent first to be sure of the location.
Elkayam Group
Founded on a family tradition from the forties, Elkayam Group has become a three-generation Tel Aviv real estate company under Kobi Elkayam Real Estate. It carries out development, urban renewal, TAMA 38 and pinui-binui projects and puts together combination and complex transactions, drawing on partners and backing companies for guarantees. With a team that works in Hebrew, English and French, it helps new immigrants from Curitiba understand neighbourhoods and the buying process.
Preparing aliyah from Curitiba Talk with Elkayam Group about where to live.
+972-53-658-4252 · support@kobielkayamrealestateltd.com