Yes, as long as your Israeli line is on. The eSIM carries your data, and the code arrives on the Israeli line. Five Israeli carriers state outright that receiving an SMS abroad costs nothing, even without a roaming package. Here is what each carrier says, how to set up the phone, and what does cost money.
Your phone holds two lines: our eSIM, which carries data only, and your Israeli SIM with your number. A code from your bank or a website is sent to the Israeli number, so it arrives only while the Israeli line is on.
Even without a roaming package the Israeli line keeps receiving calls and texts. Under Israel's communications regulations (regulation 33), phone service abroad is not blocked by default; data is, unless you explicitly agreed to it. But not all of it is free: most carriers charge nothing to receive an SMS, while answering a call is billed per minute at every carrier.
For a private customer with no roaming package. Each carrier name opens the page that says so.
| Carrier | Receive an SMS | Incoming call, per minute |
|---|---|---|
| Pelephone | check_circle Free | Per its roaming price list |
| Cellcom | check_circle Free | ₪19.90 |
| Partner (incl. 012) | check_circle Free | ₪19.90 |
| Golan Telecom | check_circle Free | ₪16.90 |
| 019 Mobile | check_circle Free | ₪8 |
| HOT Mobile (incl. Walla Mobile) | Charged (price not published) | ₪24.90 (the Greece rate) |
| We4G | Not stated | ₪19.90-19.99 |
| Rami Levy | Not stated | Per its roaming price list |
Checked on the carriers' own sites on 5.10.2026. Pelephone states it under the "איך לדבר בחו״ל" tab, Partner under the "תעריפים בחו״ל" tab, and HOT in section 7(ה) of its general terms.
info The table reflects what the carriers published on their own websites and is provided for convenience only. Carriers may change prices and terms at any time, and what your carrier tells you is what applies. Confirm prices with your carrier before you fly. TLV Flights is not responsible for any charges by your mobile carrier.
The goal: the Israeli line stays on to receive texts, and all data goes through the eSIM.
With switching on, the phone may move data to the Israeli line whenever the eSIM signal is weak.
Even if a setting slips, Israel's communications regulations block data abroad by default, so there is usually no data charge. That does not apply if you explicitly agreed to data abroad, for example by buying a roaming package or asking your carrier to open it.
At every carrier we checked, answering a call abroad without a package is billed per minute: ₪8 to ₪24.90. That is the main cost of a live line, far more than any SMS. Ask people to call you on WhatsApp.
Sending a text from abroad costs money at every carrier: ₪3.50 to ₪5 per message, per their price lists.
Keep the Israeli line off and switch it on for a few minutes only when you are waiting for a code. If the code was sent while the line was off, switch it on and ask for a new one.
One short call to your carrier before the flight settles both. Ask: "Is my line open for calls and SMS abroad?"
If you once asked your carrier to block the line abroad, it will not receive calls or texts there until you ask to open it.
Israel's communications regulations single out Jordan and Egypt (regulation 52): carriers block service through those two countries' mobile networks by default, and lift the block when the customer asks. Going to Jordan or Egypt? Ask your carrier to lift it before you go.
Yes. Without a package only data is blocked, and the Israeli line keeps receiving calls and texts. But not all of it is free: receiving an SMS costs nothing at Pelephone, Cellcom, Partner, Golan and 019, while answering a call is billed per minute at every carrier.
No. Our eSIM is a data-only line with no phone number. The code goes to your Israeli number and arrives through the Israeli SIM.
Switch the line on and ask for a new code. Verification codes are usually valid for a short time, so there is no point waiting for the old one.
Yes. WhatsApp runs over the eSIM's data, on the same account, even with the Israeli line off.
HOT's general terms say incoming messages abroad are charged, and no price is published for them. Ask HOT before you fly what an incoming message costs, or check whether your bank can send the code in its app instead of by SMS.
You installed the eSIM back home - great. Now comes the short, important part: switching it on the moment you land, so you leave the airport already connected. Two small actions, and that's it.
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