2024 saw an enormous outflow of Israelis relocating abroad. Over 82,700 Israelis packed their bags and left the country, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics — a 59% jump from the year before. The war was certainly a trigger for many who left but other underlying trends have been fueling the exodus since the pandemic.
More and more, digital professionals are embracing remote work opportunities abroad. But these digital nomads and location-independent workers aren't abandoning their careers or cutting ties with home. They're simply taking their laptops and moving their offices to Barcelona or Buenos Aires.
But unlike earlier waves of digital nomads moving abroad, young Israelis face the challenge of fulfilling military reserve obligations while building lives and careers far away from home.
Combining national service, remote employment, and global living sounds like a complex logistical puzzle - but is it even possible or allowed? Understanding your Milium obligations is key to making digital nomadism and IDF duties work.
The Rise of Remote Workers
The growing appeal of working remotely abroad may seem fueled by wanderlust and idyllic images shared on social media. Yet the exodus of Israelis is just as much (if not more) driven by economic pressures. A Junior Software Engineer in Tel Aviv might earn a monthly ₪18,000 just to spend most on housing. In cities like Medellín or Lisbon, Israeli tech workers can maintain their Tel Aviv salaries while enjoying living costs that are 40-70% lower than at home.
Moving abroad, young professionals can build savings while experiencing a new country and culture. Digital nomad hubs are increasingly international, with like-minded people from all over the globe ditching the high cost of living for a better work-life balance - if only temporarily.
For many Israelis, the combination of building a career while reducing costs and enjoying quality healthcare systems for expats makes the move abroad a no-brainer. But what if your unit gets called on to serve?
What Israeli Expats Need to Know About Milium Obligations
Since the war in the Gaza Strip began, an unprecedented number of reservists have been called up for active duty. The conflict has also called on reserve obligations for Israeli citizens living abroad. For this growing population of digital nomads and remote workers, it’s important to know their rights and national duties
The legal reality is straightforward: Israeli citizenship carries military duty across borders. The Defense Service Law and the authority to implement it abroad apply to all citizens of the State of Israel, both in Israel and abroad, even if they have another citizenship, and even if they live permanently abroad.
Reseve service applies to all who are fit to serve between the ages of 18 and 29. Israeli citizens past that age who did not fulfill their obligation at the time specified in the law are deemed to violate the law and will be required to serve as decided by the IDF authorities.
Citizens who don’t respond in time or who ignore a call-up are classified as deserters and face detention at Israeli borders, passport renewal restrictions, and potential imprisonment.
Tips on How to Manage Reserve Service Remotely
"If you're living abroad, you've probably figured out that your home country doesn't just forget about you. Whether it's taxes, military service, or family obligations: These all follow you overseas. It's important to be aware of these responsibilities and get ahead of them. Map out exactly what you owe back home, understand the rules, and plan accordingly. Most of these headaches are completely manageable if you know what's coming," explains Karsten Aichholz, founder of ExpatDen, a site that provides professional guidance for expats. So, what are the rules for managing reserve status while abroad?
Israelis who get called to report under a general call-up order must report in Israel at the place and at the time specified in the order. If they’re located abroad, they can report to the embassy or consular representative to register.
There are limited exceptions in which Israeli citizens who establish permanent residence abroad may qualify for deferrals or modified service requirements, but only through letter correspondence (in Hebrew) and with the right bureaucratic channels.
For instance, mothers and pregnant women can request deferral by letter from abroad. Israelis with serious health conditions should know that foreign medical documents are viewed with suspicion - any medical diagnosis should be translated into Hebrew and is best backed by a similar statement from civil medical officials in Israel.
Balancing Duty and Freedom
Israeli digital nomads can and, indeed, have to fulfill their national obligations while pursuing a borderless lifestyle. The key lies in being ready for the call. With financial preparation, career flexibility, and personal arrangements, Israelis can serve the demands of citizenship while keeping location independence.