Real estate insurance in Turkey in 2026 consists of the mandatory DASK earthquake policy and optional home insurance (konut sigortası). DASK must be obtained by any property owner, including foreign investors. Without a valid policy, you cannot complete a Tapu transaction or activate utility accounts for water and electricity. For a 100 m² apartment in 2026, the annual premium generally ranges from 900 to 3,500 TRY, depending on the seismic zone of the specific address.
DASK: Who is required and what it covers
DASK (Zorunlu Deprem Sigortası, Mandatory Earthquake Insurance) is established under Law No. 6305. The policy is issued exclusively by the state institution Doğal Afet Sigortaları Kurumu (DASK), though insurance companies and agents act as authorized sales points. Prices are identical across all providers because premiums are set by the state.
Mandatory insurance applies to (Article 10 of the Law):
- Apartments and other independent units under the Condominium Law No. 634;
- Residential homes built on privately owned land registered in the Tapu;
- Offices and shops located within residential buildings.
The obligation lies with the property owner or the holder of usage rights (intifa), and the policy must be renewed annually. The law makes no distinction between Turkish citizens and foreign investors. Mandatory insurance does not cover government housing, official buildings, village homes, or purely non-residential buildings. DASK may refuse coverage for buildings that violate construction permits or have compromised load-bearing structures.
The policy covers damage caused to the building by earthquakes, as well as fire, explosions, tsunamis, and landslides resulting from seismic activity. Payments are made up to the insured sum. According to official DASK guidelines, it does not cover:
- Furniture, appliances, or other personal belongings;
- Loss of rental income or temporary housing expenses;
- Debris removal;
- Bodily injury or death.
There is a deductible of 2% of the insured sum for each claim (a series of tremors within a 72-hour period is considered a single event). If the owner modifies an apartment in a way that damages load-bearing elements, the right to compensation is void (Article 12 of the Law).
How much does DASK cost in 2026
The insured sum is calculated by multiplying the gross area of the property by the regulatory cost per square meter. The building type is classified as "betonarme" (steel or reinforced concrete frame) or "diğer" (all others). These values and the maximum coverage limits are indexed monthly based on the TÜİK producer price index. If prices rise during the policy term, the insured sum increases automatically without additional fees.
- From 01.10.2026: 12,039 TL per m² for betonarme and 8,026 TL per m² for diğer. Maximum insured sum — 2,552,268 TL.
- From 01.11.2026: 12,288 TL and 8,192 TL. Maximum insured sum — 2,605,100 TL.
Practical takeaway: for a reinforced concrete apartment with a gross area exceeding approximately 212 m², the coverage hits the statutory ceiling. DASK will not cover restoration costs beyond this amount.
The premium is the insured sum multiplied by a tariff rate. The rate depends on the seismic risk group (I being highest, VII being lowest) and the building type. Groups are determined by Turkey’s seismic hazard map, soil quality, and building specifications—not by province. Therefore, you must check the risk group for a specific property in Alanya or Antalya using the calculator on the official DASK website.
| Risk Group | Betonarme Tariff, ‰ | Diğer Tariff, ‰ | Premium for 100 m² betonarme (policy from 01.10.2026), TL |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | 2.82 | 4.96 | 3,395 |
| II | 2.51 | 4.25 | 3,022 |
| III | 2.13 | 3.73 | 2,564 |
| IV | 2.00 | 3.49 | 2,408 |
| V | 1.50 | 2.79 | 1,806 |
| VI | 1.07 | 1.86 | 1,288 |
| VII | 0.73 | 1.09 | 879 |
For reinforced concrete buildings, the following surcharges and discounts apply to the tariff:
- +10% if the construction permit was issued before 2000;
- +10% for buildings with 8 or more floors above ground;
- −10% for buildings with up to 3 floors above ground.
Renewals made within 30 days of policy expiration receive a 20% discount. Minimum premiums exist for each group; as of early 2026, these range from 1,951 TL (Group I) to 505 TL (Group VII), with monthly indexing applied.
Example: A 100 m² apartment in a new 10-story complex, Group III, policy starting 01.10.2026. Insured sum — 1,203,900 TL, premium — 2,564 TL plus 10% for the height surcharge, totaling approximately 2,820 TL. The deductible in case of a claim would be 24,078 TL.
Where to obtain DASK and when it is required
The policy can be purchased from any authorized insurance company, their agents, or at partner bank branches. To calculate the premium, you need:
- Address code (UAVT);
- Tapu details;
- Year of construction, building type, and number of floors;
- Gross area;
- Tax ID or ikamet (residence permit) number and phone number of the owner.
The policyholder is responsible for the accuracy of the data. Understating the property area will result in a lower insured sum and reduced payouts. Policies are valid for one year. You can verify your policy status on the DASK website under the "Poliçe Sorgulama" section.
The law ties DASK to three primary procedures (Article 11):
- Tapu. The Land Registry Office will not register transactions without proof of a valid policy.
- Water and electricity. Providers require a valid DASK policy to activate service contracts. This applies to tenants as well; they cannot transfer utility meters into their name without the owner’s policy.
- Mortgage. If a borrower fails to secure DASK, the bank will purchase and renew the policy on their behalf, notifying the borrower accordingly.
An important change in 2026 for property buyers: according to DASK regulations, for sales registered as of September 5, 2026, the seller's policy expires on the day of the Tapu transaction and does not transfer to the buyer. Buyers must obtain their own policy in their name in advance, and the Land Registry will verify it during the closing. This rule applies to both Tapu and notary transactions. Sellers can request a refund for unused policy days from their agent. We covered the transaction process in our article on purchasing real estate in Turkey, and property titles in our article on Tapu.
Tenants cannot issue a DASK policy in their own name. While they can pay the premium, the beneficiary remains the property owner as stated in the Tapu.
Konut sigortası: Optional home insurance
Konut sigortası is a voluntary policy provided by private insurance companies. It is based on the General Terms of Fire Insurance (Yangın Sigortası Genel Şartları). Basic coverage includes fire, lightning, and explosions, as well as damage from smoke, steam, or heat resulting from these events. Through additional riders, you can include:
- Internal water damage (dahili su) — pipe leaks, overflow from neighbors;
- Floods, storms, landslides, and heavy snow load;
- Vehicle impact and malicious damage;
- Loss of rental income and debris removal;
- Earthquake coverage exceeding the DASK limit.
Standard fire insurance does not cover theft. In package policies, theft is typically added as a separate coverage, along with glass breakage, personal property inside the apartment, and emergency maintenance services. Coverage limits vary by company, so it is essential to read the specific policy terms before purchasing.
Voluntary earthquake insurance is permitted only if you have a valid DASK policy, and it covers only the amount exceeding the DASK limit. If your property does not have DASK, an insurer will require you to purchase it first when setting up any policy that includes earthquake coverage.
For owners who rent out their properties, konut sigortası (home insurance) is particularly valuable. Coverage for water damage caused by neighbors and loss of rental income addresses the most common disputes with tenants. It is wise to agree on these details in advance if you are planning to rent out your apartment in Alanya.
| Feature | DASK | Konut sigortası |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory status | Required by Law No. 6305 | Voluntary |
| Issued by | State institution DASK via insurers and agents | Private insurance company |
| Risks covered | Earthquake, and related fire, explosion, tsunami, and landslides | Fire, lightning, explosion; optional: water damage, floods, storms, theft, glass breakage, etc. |
| Contents/Personal property | Not covered | Can be covered |
| Limit | Area × standard rate per m², up to 2,605,100 TL (as of 01.11.2026) | Based on contract, typically restoration and property value |
| Pricing | Uniform state tariff | Determined by the insurer |
| Required for | Tapu, water, electricity, mortgage | Not legally required; may be offered by banks for mortgages |
Mortgage Insurance
According to the Regulation on Housing Finance Contracts (Konut Finansmanı Sözleşmeleri Yönetmeliği, Article 10), a bank may not arrange insurance linked to a loan without the explicit written or electronic consent of the borrower. When offering a loan with insurance, the bank must also offer a version without it. Borrowers are free to provide a policy from any insurance company, provided the amount and term match the loan and the bank is listed as the loss payee (dain-i mürtehin). The bank is obligated to accept such a policy without changing the loan conditions.
These rules do not apply to DASK: it is mandatory in any case, and the bank will renew it automatically if the borrower fails to do so. Therefore, it is advisable to compare the bank's insurance package with policies from other providers before signing the credit agreement.
What to do in an insurance event
- After an earthquake, report the damage by calling ALO DASK 125. Provide your policy number and address.
- Take photos of the damage before starting any repairs and do not begin work on structural elements until a professional assessment is conducted.
- Prepare a copy of your identification (for foreigners, a passport or ikamet residence permit) and an up-to-date Tapu (property title deed).
- By law, DASK pays the indemnity no later than 30 days after the damage assessment is completed and documents are filed. A 2% deductible is subtracted from the final amount.
- For konut sigortası claims (water damage, fire, theft), notify your insurance company using the contact number provided in your policy. For theft, insurers typically require a police or gendarmerie report; for water damage, proof of the cause is required. Notification timelines are specified in your policy terms.
If you do not live in Turkey, arrange a power of attorney in advance for a representative who can meet with the expert and submit the necessary documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a foreigner required to have DASK?
Yes. The obligation rests with the property owner regardless of nationality. Without a policy, you cannot finalize a transaction in the Tapu office or open new water and electricity contracts.
Does the DASK policy transfer to the buyer upon purchasing an apartment?
No. For sales occurring on or after September 5, 2026, the seller's policy expires on the day of the transaction, and the buyer must obtain a new policy in their name in advance.
Can I insure an apartment in a building under construction?
Unfinished buildings do not fall under DASK. A policy is issued once the apartment is registered in the land registry as a residential unit, including properties with kat irtifakı (construction servitude).
Does DASK cover furniture and appliances?
No, only the building structure itself. Personal property should be covered by a separate voluntary konut sigortası.
What happens if I don't renew DASK?
There is no legal fine, but without a valid policy, you cannot complete transactions in the Tapu office or renew utility contracts. Most importantly, you will not be compensated for damages in the event of an earthquake. Renewing within 30 days of the expiration date provides a 20% discount.
Who pays for DASK in a rental scenario?
By law, it is the responsibility of the owner. A tenant may pay the policy on the owner's behalf, but they cannot legally take out a DASK policy in their own name.
Sources
- Law No. 6305 "Afet Sigortaları Kanunu" — mevzuat.gov.tr
- Zorunlu Deprem Sigortası Tarife ve Talimat Tebliği (revised 31.12.2025) — mevzuat.gov.tr
- DASK: Tariffs, m² rates, and maximum coverage limits 2025–2026
- DASK: Coverage and exclusions
- DASK: Frequently asked questions (sales, Tapu, utilities, deductibles, 125)
- Konut Finansmanı Sözleşmeleri Yönetmeliği — mevzuat.gov.tr
- Yangın Sigortası Genel Şartları — Türkiye Sigorta Birliği