DASK Mandatory Earthquake Insurance in Turkey: A Complete Guide for Property Owners

Anyone who has bought or sold property in Turkey will have encountered the question: "Do you have a DASK policy?" It comes up at the land registry, at the bank, and even when setting up utilities. Yet many foreign buyers are surprised to discover that this is not optional — it is a legal requirement backed by Turkish law, and without it a property transaction simply cannot be completed. Here is everything you need to know.

What Is DASK and What Is Its Legal Basis?

DASK is the Turkish acronym for Doğal Afet Sigortaları Kurumu — the Natural Disaster Insurance Institution. It was established as a public legal entity under Article 3 of the Disaster Insurance Law (Law No. 6305), which entered into force on 18 May 2012. DASK replaced the earlier Mandatory Earthquake Insurance Decree-Law No. 587, which was formally repealed by Article 15 of the new law.

DASK's core purpose is to cover structural damage to buildings caused by earthquakes. The coverage includes damage caused directly by an earthquake and damage resulting from fire, explosion, tsunami, or landslide triggered by an earthquake.

Who Must Have Earthquake Insurance in Turkey?

Article 10 of Law No. 6305 defines the properties that are subject to mandatory earthquake insurance:

Covered (mandatory) properties:

• Independent units (flats, offices) registered under the Condominium Ownership Law (Law No. 634)
• Residential buildings constructed on privately owned and registered land
• Commercial units (shops, offices) located within residential buildings
• Dwellings built by or with loans from the state following a natural disaster

Excluded from mandatory coverage:

• Public housing under Law No. 2946 and public service buildings
• Buildings in village settlement areas constructed by residents registered in that village
• Buildings used entirely for non-residential purposes

The obligation to obtain and annually renew the policy rests with the property owner or the holder of the usufruct right.

Why Is DASK Required for Title Deed Transfers?

Article 11 of Law No. 6305 creates a legal gate at the land registry: title deed transactions for properties subject to mandatory earthquake insurance cannot be processed unless a valid DASK policy is presented and confirmed. This rule applies to:

• Property sales: No title transfer can proceed without a current DASK certificate.
• Mortgage transactions: Banks must verify DASK coverage before registering a mortgage lien.
• Utility subscriptions: Water and electricity providers must check for DASK coverage when processing new subscriptions for qualifying buildings.

This means that if you are buying a property in Turkey and the DASK policy has lapsed, the seller must renew it before the land registry appointment — or you must factor this into the handover arrangements.

What Does DASK Cover and How Much?

Under Article 13 of Law No. 6305, the maximum insured amount is set annually by the relevant minister and published in the Official Gazette. The premium and coverage limit are calculated based on:

• The gross floor area of the unit
• The construction type (reinforced concrete, masonry, timber, etc.)
• The seismic risk zone and soil class
• The age of the building

A key protection for policyholders: once a damage claim is submitted and the required documents and damage assessment are complete, the law requires that compensation be paid within a maximum of 30 days.

What DASK does not cover: Contents, furniture, personal belongings, loss of rent, and alternative accommodation costs are excluded. For those risks, a voluntary earthquake insurance policy (ihtiyari deprem sigortası) should be obtained separately.

DASK for Foreign Property Owners in Turkey

Foreign nationals who own property in Turkey are subject to exactly the same DASK requirement as Turkish citizens. The policy can be purchased from any authorized insurer operating in Turkey or directly through DASK's online platform. The process is straightforward: you need the property's title deed number (tapu no) and takes just a few minutes online.

In cities like Antalya, İstanbul, and Bodrum, where foreign buyers are active, it is standard practice for the buyer to arrange DASK before — or on the day of — the title deed transfer. Foreign buyers who visit Turkey briefly for the transaction should arrange the DASK policy in advance to avoid last-minute delays.

How to File a DASK Damage Claim

If your property is damaged by an earthquake:

1. Ensure your safety first and contact emergency services.
2. Do not re-enter a damaged building until it has been declared structurally safe.
3. Contact DASK's claim line (125) or your insurer to report the damage promptly.
4. An authorized loss adjuster will inspect the property and prepare a damage assessment report.
5. Compensation is paid within 30 days of the assessment being finalized and the required documents submitted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a tenant need to take out DASK? No. The obligation falls on the property owner or usufruct holder, not the tenant. However, tenants should confirm that the owner has a valid policy — without it, the owner's ability to sell or refinance the property will be blocked.

What happens if DASK lapses? Coverage ceases when the policy expires. Any earthquake damage occurring after the expiry date is not covered. Also, an expired policy will block the next title deed transaction until it is renewed.

I own several apartments — do I need a separate policy for each? Yes. Each independent unit (bağımsız bölüm) requires its own DASK policy.

Is DASK coverage always enough? Not always. The maximum insured amount set by DASK may be below the actual rebuild cost of your property, particularly for larger or higher-specification homes. Under the provisions of Law No. 6305, you can top up with a voluntary earthquake insurance policy from any private insurer once the mandatory DASK is in place.

Does DASK cover common areas of the building? DASK policies are issued per unit. Building-wide common area risks are addressed through the individual policies taken out by each unit owner. In practice, the structural damage assessment covers the affected unit and its connection to the load-bearing structure.

How Mona Hukuk Can Help

DASK compliance is one of several insurance and legal obligations that foreign property owners in Turkey must manage. If you are buying, selling, or financing a property in the Antalya region and have questions about DASK, title deed procedures, or your obligations as a foreign owner, our team can provide straightforward guidance in English.

Contact us at contact@monahukuk.com or call +90 (242) 606 14 32 to schedule a consultation in Antalya.