An Israeli company or investor gets Indian legal work done remotely: corporate documents are signed before an Israeli notary, apostilled, and sent to India, while filings with the Registrar of Companies, the Reserve Bank's FIRMS portal and the Trade Marks Registry are made online. Most Israeli investment enters India under the automatic route, with some sectors capped or needing approval. Disputes are usually handled by arbitration, and individuals use powers of attorney signed in Israel.
- Document route
- Israeli notary, then apostille
- Time difference
- IST is 2.5 to 3.5 hours ahead
- Foreign judgments in India
- Not reciprocating: fresh suit
- Apostille with India
- In force
Why Israeli companies and investors need an Indian lawyer
India and Israel established full diplomatic relations in 1992, and business ties have grown steadily since. Israeli companies are active in India in agriculture and irrigation, water technology, cyber security, defence and homeland security, medical devices, software and semiconductors. Israeli venture funds invest in Indian startups, and Indian companies have acquired Israeli technology firms. The two governments have also negotiated on a trade agreement and signed a new bilateral investment treaty in 2025.
There is a human connection too. Israel is home to Jewish communities of Indian origin, including Bene Israel and Cochin Jewish families, and to Indian nationals working in care-giving, construction, diamonds and technology. These individuals have their own Indian matters: property in Maharashtra, Kerala or Mizoram, inheritance, powers of attorney and OCI questions.
Most of our Israeli clients, however, are companies and investors. The six services listed below reflect that: subsidiaries, startup investment, trademarks, contracts, FDI compliance and arbitration. For the core corporate step, see Indian subsidiary setup.
Notaries and apostilles in Israel
Israel and India are both parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, and it is in force between them. Israeli notaries are senior lawyers appointed by the Ministry of Justice, and they can certify signatures, prepare notarial certificates and certify translations. For Indian purposes, documents should be prepared in English; Israeli notaries routinely work in English.
| Document | Usual apostille route in Israel |
|---|---|
| Notarised corporate resolutions, powers of attorney and affidavits | Apostille issued through the Israeli courts system for notarial documents |
| Public documents issued by government ministries, such as civil status records | Apostille issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Registrar of Companies extracts | Certified extract, then apostille through the applicable route |
Check the exact apostille office with your notary, as practice depends on the document. Hebrew-language documents need an English translation; an Israeli notary can certify the translation, which Indian authorities generally accept. Board resolutions of Israeli companies for Indian incorporation, bank accounts and investment filings are almost always handled this way.
Most requested services from Israel
Israeli requests are overwhelmingly corporate: setting up Indian subsidiaries, investing in Indian startups, protecting Israeli brands, negotiating contracts with Indian partners, keeping FDI reporting clean and resolving disputes by arbitration.
Indian Subsidiary Setup
Israeli technology and industrial companies use an Indian subsidiary for sales, research and development and support teams.
Investing in Indian Startups
Israeli funds and angels invest in Indian startups and need FEMA-compliant instruments and terms.
Trademark Protection in India
Israeli brands entering India should secure their marks early, often through the Madrid system.
Commercial Contracts
Technology licences, distribution and supply contracts with Indian parties need Indian-law protection.
FDI & FEMA Compliance
Every Israeli investment into India must be priced, reported and maintained under FEMA.
International Arbitration
Israeli judgments are not directly enforceable in India, so arbitration is the usual dispute route.
Tax treaty, FDI rules and money flows
India and Israel have a double taxation avoidance agreement covering dividends, interest, royalties, fees for technical services, business profits and capital gains. Israeli residents and companies claim treaty benefits in India with a tax residency certificate from the Israel Tax Authority and Form 10F. Withholding on royalties and technical fees paid by an Indian customer or subsidiary to an Israeli company is often the biggest tax item, and the treaty rate can be lower than the domestic rate.
Foreign investment into India follows FEMA, the Non-Debt Instruments Rules 2019 and the consolidated FDI Policy. Most sectors are open under the automatic route, but defence manufacturing above the automatic limit, certain telecom, broadcasting and other sensitive sectors need government approval or security clearance. Israeli investors in these areas should plan for approval timelines. Every issue of shares to an Israeli investor must comply with pricing rules and be reported on the FIRMS portal; see FDI and FEMA compliance.
Dividends, buy-back proceeds and sale consideration can be repatriated from India once taxes are paid and filings are in order.
Disputes, arbitration and Israeli judgments
Israel is not a reciprocating territory under section 44A CPC. An Israeli court judgment cannot be executed directly in India; it must be sued upon afresh and will be tested under section 13 CPC. For this reason Israeli companies dealing with Indian counterparties usually choose arbitration.
Israel is a party to the New York Convention. Under Part II of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996, a foreign award is enforceable in India if it is made in a convention country that the Government of India has notified in the Official Gazette. Many Israeli-Indian contracts choose a seat such as Singapore or London, which are notified, and we confirm the position for the seat you choose when drafting. Indian courts can also grant interim relief in support of a foreign-seated arbitration unless the parties exclude it.
For investors, the bilateral investment treaty adds a separate layer of protection against government measures, distinct from commercial arbitration between companies.
Working across the Israeli and Indian weeks
India is two and a half hours ahead of Israel during Israeli summer time and three and a half hours ahead in winter. The bigger practical issue is the working week: Israel works Sunday to Thursday, while Indian courts and government offices generally work Monday to Friday and some Saturdays. Monday to Thursday is the shared window, and we schedule signing, calls and filing deadlines around it.
Indian courts permit video appearance and evidence under their rules, and corporate filings, trademark prosecution and FEMA reporting are online. Original apostilled documents are sent by international courier and usually arrive within a week. Individuals of Indian origin in Israel with property or inheritance issues can also see our pages on powers of attorney.
ProudLegal works from Mohali, India, and has no office in Israel. We work with your Israeli counsel on Israeli law, tax and corporate approvals.
All services for clients in Israel
NRI Property Law
- Property Disputes
- Encroachment & Illegal Possession
- Partition of Family Property
- Buying & Selling Property
- Title Search & Due Diligence
- Tenant Eviction
- Builder Delay & RERA
Inheritance & Documents
Cross-Border Family Law
- Divorce for NRIs
- International Child Custody
- Maintenance & Alimony
- Marriage Registration
- 498A & Dowry Case Defence
- OCI Card Issues
Doing Business in India
- Company Setup for Foreigners
- Indian Subsidiary Setup
- Branch & Liaison Office
- FDI & FEMA Compliance
- Trademark Protection in India
- Commercial Contracts
- Employment Law for Foreign Employers
- GST for Foreign Businesses
- Investing in Indian Startups
- Legal Advisory for NRI Investors
Disputes & Enforcement
- International Arbitration
- Enforcing Foreign Judgments
- Money Recovery from India
- Shareholder Disputes & NCLT
- Accident Compensation Claims
- Cyber & Investment Fraud
- Criminal Defence & Look Out Circulars
Cross-Border Tax & Money
Indian mission in Israel
The Embassy in Tel Aviv provides consular services for Israel, including visas, passports, OCI and attestation.
- Embassy of India, Tel Aviv
Frequently asked questions
Can an Israeli company own 100 per cent of an Indian subsidiary?
In most sectors, yes, under the automatic route. Some sectors, such as defence manufacturing beyond the automatic limit, have caps or need government approval and security clearance.
Is an Israeli apostille accepted in India?
Yes. Both countries are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention and it is in force between them. Notarised and apostilled Israeli documents are generally accepted by the Registrar of Companies, banks and courts.
Do Hebrew documents need translation?
Yes. Indian authorities need English versions. An Israeli notary can certify an English translation.
Does India have a tax treaty with Israel?
Yes. The India-Israel double taxation avoidance agreement applies. Benefits are claimed with a tax residency certificate from the Israel Tax Authority and Form 10F.
Can an Israeli court judgment be enforced in India?
Not directly. Israel is not a reciprocating territory under section 44A CPC, so a fresh suit on the judgment is needed in India.
Which arbitration seat should an Israeli company choose?
It depends on the deal, but the seat should be in a New York Convention country notified by India for enforcement. Singapore and London are common neutral choices; we check the position for any seat you prefer.
How do you handle the different working weeks?
We plan calls and deadlines for Monday to Thursday, when both countries are working, and keep you updated by email on Fridays and Sundays.
Can individuals of Indian origin in Israel get help with property in India?
Yes. We handle powers of attorney, sales, inheritance and OCI questions for individuals, signed before an Israeli notary and apostilled.