DASK and Property Insurance in Alanya: Complete Guide for Foreign Homeowners (2026)

Quick answer: DASK is Türkiye’s compulsory earthquake insurance for eligible residential properties. It applies to foreign and Turkish homeowners alike. During a property sale, the Land Registry checks for a valid, newly issued DASK policy in the buyer’s name. DASK protects the building against specified earthquake-related damage, but it does not insure furniture, personal belongings or every risk a homeowner may face.

If you are buying an apartment or villa in Alanya, understanding the difference between DASK and private home insurance will help you complete the title deed process correctly and protect your property after the purchase.

What Is DASK in Türkiye?

DASK is the commonly used name for Türkiye’s Compulsory Earthquake Insurance, officially known as Zorunlu Deprem Sigortası. It provides financial protection for direct material damage caused by an earthquake and certain events resulting from it, within the limits stated in the policy.

DASK is connected to the insured residential property, not the nationality of its owner. Therefore, foreign property owners are generally subject to the same requirement as Turkish owners.

Is DASK Mandatory for Foreign Property Buyers?

Yes. If the property falls within the scope of compulsory earthquake insurance, a foreign buyer must have DASK just like any other property owner in Türkiye.

A valid DASK policy is required at important control points, including:

• Residential property title deed transactions
• New electricity subscriptions
• New water subscriptions
• Certain housing finance and mortgage procedures

DASK should therefore be included in the preparation for the title deed appointment, together with the other documents needed to buy property in Türkiye.

What Happens to DASK During a Title Deed Transfer?

For a property sale, the Land Registry checks whether a valid and newly issued DASK policy exists in the buyer’s name. The seller’s existing policy does not simply continue as the buyer’s policy.

Once ownership is registered at the Land Registry, the seller’s insurable interest and DASK contract end. The former owner should contact the issuing insurance company, agency, broker or bank to request the appropriate cancellation adjustment.

To avoid delays, the buyer, seller, real estate consultant and insurance provider should coordinate the policy before the title deed appointment. You can review the complete transaction sequence in our step-by-step guide to buying property in Alanya.

What Does DASK Cover?

DASK covers direct material damage caused by an earthquake and by earthquake-related fire, explosion, tsunami or landslide, subject to the policy terms and coverage limit.

Covered building elements may include:

• Foundations and main structural walls
• Walls separating independent units
• Floors and ceilings
• Stairs, corridors and landings
• Roofs and chimneys
• Elevators
• Retaining and garden walls
• Comparable structural components of the building

Both partial and total structural damage may be considered within the insured amount and applicable policy conditions.

What Is Not Covered by DASK?

DASK is not a complete home insurance policy. It generally does not cover:

• Furniture, electronics and personal belongings
• Loss of rent or business interruption
• Temporary accommodation expenses
• Debris removal costs
• Bodily injury or death
• Non-material compensation claims
• Damage unrelated to an earthquake
• Damage that develops over time because of the building’s own defects

DASK also does not confirm that a property is structurally safe or legally problem-free. Buyers should still carry out appropriate legal and property due diligence before purchasing.

DASK vs Private Home Insurance

DASK

DASK is compulsory for eligible homes and focuses primarily on specified earthquake-related structural damage. Its protection is limited to the insured building value and the maximum coverage applicable under the official tariff.

Private home insurance

Private home insurance is usually optional and may provide broader protection depending on the selected policy. It can include furniture, electronic equipment, theft, water damage, fire, glass breakage, liability and additional earthquake coverage above the DASK limit.

For furnished homes, holiday properties and rental investments in Alanya, relying only on DASK may leave significant risks uninsured. Policy terms, exclusions and limits should always be compared before purchase.

How Is the DASK Premium Calculated?

There is no single fixed DASK price for every home in Alanya. The premium is calculated using official tariff factors that may include:

• The property’s gross floor area
• The building’s construction type
• The building’s age
• The total number of floors
• The risk classification of the location
• The applicable insured value and tariff

Premiums and coverage limits can change. For this reason, homeowners should request a current quotation or use the official DASK calculation service instead of relying on an older online price.

DASK should also be considered separately from the taxes and transactional expenses explained in our guide to property taxes and buying costs in Alanya.

What Information Is Needed for a DASK Policy?

The insurer or authorised agency will normally request information about the owner, the building and the independent residential unit. This may include:

• Owner’s name and contact details
• Identity or tax information, where applicable
• Full address and address code
• Title deed details
• Construction year and building type
• Total number of floors
• Damage status of the building
• Gross area and usage type of the residence

DASK is issued on the basis of declared information. Incorrect details, especially the address, gross area or construction type, may affect a future claim. The policy should therefore be checked carefully before payment and again after issuance.

Does DASK Need to Be Renewed?

Yes. DASK policies are issued annually and should be renewed before they expire. Homeowners should also update their insurer if relevant policy or property information changes.

Renewal is particularly important for owners who live abroad and use their Alanya property seasonally. A calendar reminder and up-to-date contact details can prevent the policy from expiring unnoticed.

Practical Insurance Checklist for Foreign Homeowners

1. Confirm that the property details match the title deed and actual residence.
2. Arrange the buyer’s DASK policy in coordination with the title deed process.
3. Check the owner’s name, address code, gross area and building information.
4. Ask for the policy number and keep a digital copy.
5. Compare DASK protection with a suitable private home insurance policy.
6. Consider furniture, rental, liability and additional earthquake risks.
7. Set a reminder before the annual expiry date.
8. Update electricity, water and other ownership-related records after purchase.

For a broader post-purchase plan, see our guide on what to do after buying property in Türkiye.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a foreigner obtain DASK in Türkiye?

Yes. The obligation is linked to the eligible residential property rather than the owner’s nationality. The required identity, tax and property details should be confirmed with the authorised insurer.

Can the buyer use the seller’s existing DASK policy?

No. During a sale, a valid and newly issued policy in the buyer’s name is checked. The seller’s policy ends when the transfer is registered and should be handled with the issuing insurer.

Does DASK cover furniture inside the property?

No. Furniture, electronics and other movable belongings are outside standard DASK coverage. These risks may be insured through an appropriate private home insurance policy.

Is DASK required for electricity and water subscriptions?

Yes. A valid DASK policy is required for electricity and water subscription procedures relating to properties within its scope.

Is one DASK policy enough for several apartments?

No. A separate policy is required for each independent residential unit.

Does DASK replace legal and technical property checks?

No. DASK is an insurance product, not proof that a property has no legal, title deed, construction or structural issues.

Final Advice

DASK is a necessary part of owning and transferring an eligible home in Türkiye, but it should be viewed as the minimum layer of earthquake protection rather than complete property insurance. Foreign homeowners in Alanya should combine an accurately issued DASK policy with suitable private coverage based on how the property will be used.

M² Real Estate assists international buyers throughout the property purchase and post-purchase process in Alanya. Insurance coverage is provided by authorised insurers, and individual policy terms should always be reviewed before purchase.