Is Property Insurance Necessary in Turkey?

Is Property Insurance Mandatory in Turkey: a Short Answer

Yes, property insurance in Turkey is a mandatory requirement for every property owner, including foreigners. Without a valid DASK policy, you cannot register ownership (TAPU), connect water and electricity, or obtain a mortgage. Moreover, the mandatory policy alone is often not enough for full protection — here's why.

Turkey's home insurance system is two-tier: state mandatory earthquake insurance (DASK) and voluntary home insurance (Konut Sigortası). The former protects the building's structure, the latter — your property inside. Let's examine both types in detail.

What is DASK and Why You Can't Do Without It

DASK (Doğal Afet Sigortaları Kurumu) — the Natural Disaster Insurance Institution, established by the Turkish government in 1999 after the devastating earthquake in Izmit. It is a state insurance system operating nationwide and regulated by Law No. 587 on Mandatory Earthquake Insurance. Today, the Turkish DASK is recognized as one of the world's most successful natural disaster insurance systems: as of 2025, over 11.2 million policies are in force with an average cost of about 37 US dollars.

When DASK Policy Is Mandatory

• When registering TAPU — without a valid policy, ownership cannot be registered at the Land Registry;
• When connecting utilities — contracts with water, electricity, and gas providers are only concluded with DASK;
• When selling property — transferring the title to a new owner is impossible without current insurance;
• When obtaining a mortgage — Turkish banks require DASK as a mandatory lending condition.

What DASK Covers and What It Doesn't

Many buyers mistakenly believe that a DASK policy protects against absolutely everything. This is not the case. The insurance applies only to the structural elements of the building: foundation, load-bearing walls, floors, roof, windows, staircases, and common areas. Coverage is triggered by damage caused directly by an earthquake, as well as fire, explosion, tsunami, and landslides that are a direct consequence of the earthquake.

DASK DOES NOT cover

• Furniture, household appliances, and electronics;
• Personal belongings, clothes, interior decoration items;
• Finishing — flooring, wallpaper, wall painting;
• Damage from flooding not related to an earthquake;
• Theft, vandalism, and illegal acts by third parties;
• Expenses for temporary accommodation when the property is damaged;
• Loss of rental income during restoration.

Additionally, DASK has a coverage limit — the maximum compensation amount, which is revised annually by the government considering inflation and construction costs per square meter. If the market value of your property exceeds this limit, DASK will not compensate the difference.

How Much Does DASK Insurance Cost

The cost of a DASK policy is relatively low and depends on several factors:

1. The region where the property is located. Turkey is divided into seismic zones. In Alanya and Antalya, the earthquake risk is minimal, so insurance is cheaper. In Istanbul, Izmir, or Bursa, located in high seismic activity zones, the policy costs more.
2. Area of the property. The more square meters, the higher the premium.
3. Year of construction and type of structure. Reinforced concrete buildings built to modern seismic standards are insured at lower rates.

On average in Turkey, the cost of DASK is from 15 to 150 euros per year. For example, for a 1+1 apartment (about 50–60 sq. m.) in Alanya, the annual policy will cost approximately 900–1200 TL (about 30–40 euros). For comparison, a similar apartment in Istanbul may cost 2–3 times more. The policy is issued for 1 year and requires annual renewal.

Voluntary Home Insurance — Konut Sigortası

Mandatory DASK only protects the building's 'shell'. If you want to insure everything inside — furniture, appliances, finishing, personal belongings — you need to take out voluntary home insurance (Konut Sigortası). This type of insurance is purchased from private insurance companies and can include a wide range of risks:

• Fire, explosion, lightning strike;
• Flooding and water damage from plumbing systems;
• Burglary and illegal acts by third parties;
• Damage to glass, mirrors, stained glass;
• Civil liability to neighbors;
• Temporary living expenses in case of an insured event.

The cost of Konut Sigortası depends on the chosen set of risks, sum insured, and deductible. On average, a comprehensive voluntary insurance package costs 500–2000 TL per year (about 15–60 euros). Moreover, many insurance companies offer a discount when taking out DASK and Konut Sigortası together.

Do You Need Additional Insurance: Three Scenarios

1. Apartment for Own Residency

If you live in Turkey permanently, voluntary insurance is not a formality but a real necessity. Fire, a burst pipe, or theft can cause damage comparable to the cost of repairs. In this case, Konut Sigortası pays for itself many times over.

2. Investment Property for Rent

If the apartment is rented out, a voluntary policy protects not only your property but also covers civil liability to tenants. Additionally, some programs include compensation for loss of rental income during the restoration period — this is critically important for investors.

3. Property for Obtaining Turkish Citizenship

When purchasing property worth $400,000 or more to obtain Turkish citizenship, having DASK is a mandatory condition of the transaction. However, the DASK policy itself does not affect the safety of the investment: if you do not plan to live in the property permanently, without voluntary insurance, the apartment remains vulnerable to everyday risks.

How to Get DASK: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Prepare documents: a copy of the TAPU (or sales contract), identity document (passport or ikamet), exact address of the property and its area.
2. Contact an insurance company — DASK policies are issued by most Turkish insurance companies (Allianz, AXA, Anadolu Sigorta, etc.), and many real estate agencies can also assist with the process.
3. Get a cost calculation — the insurance company will determine the rate based on the region, area, and type of building.
4. Pay for the policy — the issuance process takes from 15 minutes to a few hours.
5. Keep the policy — you will need it when connecting utilities and re-registering TAPU.

Conclusion

Property insurance in Turkey is not just a legal obligation, but a tool for real protection of your investments. DASK is mandatory by law and costs pennies relative to the property price: 30–50 euros per year for basic protection of the building's structural elements against the region's main natural threat — earthquakes. However, DASK alone is not enough: furniture, appliances, finishing, and personal belongings remain uncovered. Voluntary insurance (Konut Sigortası) fills these gaps and costs about the same. In total, a full insurance protection package costs 60–100 euros per year — a negligible amount compared to potential damage and the cost of restoring the property.

Top tip: take out both policies at once when buying property. This will save time, nerves, and money in the future.