Israel uses its own Type H plug, one of the few national plug standards that's used only in one country. The good news for European travelers: modern Israeli sockets are hybrid designs that also accept Europlugs, making the country easier than the unusual plug shape suggests.
Quick answer by origin:
- From the US or Canada: Adapter required. Voltage check required.
- From the UK: Adapter required. Voltage match is fine.
- From the EU (Schengen): Often nothing needed for low-draw devices (Europlugs fit modern Israeli sockets).
- From Australia or NZ: Adapter required. Voltage match is fine.
What plug does Israel use?
Israel uses Type H plugs defined under SI 32, the Israeli national standard from 1957. The plug has:
- Two flat live and neutral pins at the top, angled to form a V
- One flat earth pin at the bottom centre, slightly longer than the others
- All three pins are flat with rounded corners
Since 1989, Israeli sockets have been hybrid designs that accept:
- Type H plugs directly (the standard Israeli plug)
- Type C Europlugs (the small European two-pin plug)
- The hybrid is achieved via additional slot positions in the same socket face
Most modern Israeli hotels (Marriott, Hilton, Cinema Hotel, Brown Hotels, etc.) have hybrid sockets that accept both Type H and Europlugs. Older accommodations in Jerusalem's Old City, traditional family-run pensions, or pre-1989 construction may have pure Type H sockets that don't accept Europlugs.
Israel's voltage and frequency
Israel runs at 230 V, 50 Hz, harmonized with European standards. The grid is operated by Israel Electric Corporation. Voltage is stable in major cities (Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Eilat).
For US and Canadian travelers, this is roughly double your 120 V home mains. The dual-voltage check matters.
For UK, EU, and Australian travelers, voltage matches.
Do I need a travel adapter for Israel? By origin country
From the United States or Canada
Adapter required. US plugs don't fit Type H or hybrid Israeli sockets. Buy a Type H-capable adapter or a universal adapter that explicitly covers Israel.
Voltage check: every device needs 100-240 V on the brick. Single-voltage US appliances will burn out at Israeli mains.
From the United Kingdom or Ireland
Adapter required, voltage match is fine. UK Type G is incompatible with Type H. Look for "Israel" or "Type H" in your universal adapter's spec sheet.
From the EU (Schengen area)
Often nothing for Europlug-equipped devices. The modern hybrid Israeli sockets accept Europlugs directly. For grounded high-draw appliances or Schuko-only plugs, you'd need a Type H adapter, but most travel electronics ship with Europlugs.
From Australia or New Zealand
Adapter required, voltage match is fine. Type I doesn't fit Type H. AU-to-Israel adapters cover the gap; some universals explicitly include Type H coverage.
Practical answers for common Israeli travel situations
Will my MacBook charger work in Israel? Yes. All Apple chargers are dual voltage. Add a Type H adapter if you have US or AU plugs; Europlug-equipped chargers work directly in modern sockets.
What about Jerusalem's Old City accommodations? Older buildings in the Old City may have pure Type H sockets that don't accept Europlugs. Pack a Europlug-to-Type-H adapter as a safety net if you're staying in historic accommodations.
Are Israeli hotels reliable for power? Yes in major cities and tourist areas. The grid is stable. Voltage variations are within tolerance for modern dual-voltage devices.
Can I buy an adapter at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV)? Yes, at airport markup: ILS 40-100 ($11-27) for adapters that cost ILS 15-40 at any Israeli electronics shop or Cofix.
What about Eilat and Dead Sea resorts? Same Type H/hybrid standard, same 230 V mains. Some resort properties have additional US Type A outlets for American visitors but you can't count on it.
Will my UK three-pin shaver charge in Israel? Plug-fit no without an adapter. Voltage matches at 230 V. A UK-to-Israel adapter handles it.
Israel on multi-country itineraries
Common patterns include Israel combined with Egypt, Jordan, or Turkey. Power-wise:
- Israel to Egypt: different plug (Schuko/Europlug), but Egyptian sockets accept Europlugs same as Israeli hybrid sockets. EU travelers may not need to change anything.
- Israel to Jordan: Jordan uses Type C, D, F, G, and J. A universal adapter is the right buy.
- Israel to Turkey: Turkey uses Schuko, same as continental Europe. EU travelers don't need to change adapters between Israel (with Europlug) and Turkey.
For broader regional travel, a universal adapter with explicit Type H coverage plus Schuko handles most Mediterranean and Middle Eastern trips.
Charging multiple devices at once
Israeli outlets typically come singly per faceplate in older buildings, in pairs in modern hotels. For travel charging:
- A GaN multi-port charger with a Europlug, fits modern Israeli sockets directly
- A Type H-input travel power strip (rare, hard to find outside Israel)
- A USB-C hub charger with a Europlug
Israeli sockets deliver 16 A per outlet (3,680 W at 230 V), enough for any travel charging setup.
The bottom line
Israel uses a unique national plug standard but modern hybrid sockets make it easier than the plug shape suggests. European travelers often don't need anything; their Europlug-equipped devices work directly in modern Israeli accommodations.
For US, UK, and AU travelers, a Type H-capable adapter handles the country. Voltage is 230 V which matches most of the world but doubles the US 120 V mains, so dual-voltage devices are required.