Palestine
Profiled in Ramallah · the Middle East
Hill towns and olive terraces across the West Bank, with Bethlehem and Hebron among the oldest continuously inhabited places on earth, under a movement regime shaped by occupation.
Cost of living
What a month costs
Costs track Israel closely because the shekel is used and most goods enter through Israeli ports, but incomes are far lower. Movement restrictions add time and cost.
The scores
How it rates for a moving family
See and do
Top 10 in Ramallah
- Church of the NativityBethlehem basilica over the traditional birthplace of Jesus, a UNESCO site.
- Old Town of HebronUNESCO-listed old city around the Cave of the Patriarchs.
- Hisham's PalaceUmayyad winter palace with a famous mosaic near Jericho.
- Tell es-SultanAncient Jericho, a UNESCO site and one of the oldest settlements.
- Battir terracesUNESCO-listed agricultural terraces near Bethlehem.
- Nablus Old CityOttoman-era souk, hammams and soap workshops.
- Mount GerizimSamaritan holy mountain above Nablus.
- Separation Wall muralsBanksy and other works along the Bethlehem barrier.
Where to go
Weekend escapes
- BethlehemChurch of the Nativity and the separation wall murals.
- JerichoOne of the oldest cities in the world, below sea level.
- HebronDivided city around the Ibrahimi Mosque.
- NablusOld town, soap factories and kunafeh.
- Dead SeaThe northern shore, reachable from Jericho.
Residency
The Palestinian Authority issues residence in coordination with Israel, which controls entry and the population registry. There is no investor route, and movement between the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem is restricted.
Tax
Personal and corporate rates are both 15%, with 16% VAT set within a band of the Israeli rate under the Paris Protocol. Telecoms and insurance are taxed at 20%. Revenue clearance depends on Israel.
Curious what you would actually pay? See the Palestine tax profile: income, corporate, VAT and exit rules →
Nearby