Transferring money to Turkey for a property: through a bank, with a currency certificate.
// Short answer
A foreign individual buying property in Turkey must sell the price as foreign currency to a Turkish bank before the transfer. The bank then sends a foreign-currency purchase certificate, the DAB, to the land registry by registered e-mail. The deed price must match the lira amount on it. This has applied since January 2022.
Rules and rates as of September 2026. Turkish tax thresholds and fines are revalued every year and the citizenship rules have changed before, so check the dated items again before you sign. Every figure links to its source.
On this page
What is the DAB for buying property in Turkey?
The Döviz Alım Belgesi, a foreign-currency purchase certificate. When a foreign individual buys property, the price must be sold as US dollars or equivalent foreign currency to a bank before the transfer. The bank sends the DAB to the land registry office by KEP, registered e-mail. A paper copy is not accepted.
The deed price must match the Turkish lira amount on the DAB. The requirement rests on Article 13 of the Central Bank's Capital Movements Circular and has applied since 24 January 2022.
Who needs a DAB in Turkey?
Every foreign individual buyer. There is no general exemption: foreigners living in Turkey, those with long-term residence permits and those married to Turkish citizens all need one. It is not required for acquisitions by companies.
- The price may be converted in several tranches, with several DABs.
- The DAB states the buyer's name, passport or foreign ID number, the property number and the dollar equivalent.
- It also states whether it is for citizenship or for the Capital Movements Circular.
Can the price of a Turkish property be agreed in foreign currency?
Not between residents. A 2018 communiqué bars persons resident in Turkey from agreeing the price of a property sale or lease between themselves in foreign currency or indexed to it. Later amendments added exceptions, reportedly including some contracts with non-citizens; the current list was not confirmed for this page.
Ask your lawyer which currency your contract may be written in before you sign. On leases, a foreign-currency clause in a residential lease cannot be changed for five years, subject to the same rules.
Sources
Can a foreigner get a mortgage in Turkey?
Plan on cash. Global Property Guide says Turkish banks will sometimes lend to foreign buyers, at higher rates and shorter terms than for citizens, with down payments usually 30% to 50%, and approval taking up to six weeks. No bank's terms were verified for this page.
A foreign lender can hold a mortgage over Turkish property: the Article 35 caps and zone limits do not apply to mortgages in favour of foreign persons.
Sources
Does paying in foreign currency matter for VAT?
Yes. The VAT exemption on the first sale of a new home to a non-resident foreigner applies only if the price is brought into Turkey in foreign currency. For the citizenship route, the bank transfers must also reach USD 400,000 on their own.
Keep every bank record of the transfer. The details of the exemption: Turkey property buying costs.
Sources
// Buying in Turkey?
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See the $499 report, page by pageFrequently Asked Questions
Can I hand the land registry a paper DAB?
Do foreigners living in Turkey need a DAB?
Can I convert the purchase price in several transfers?
Can I take the sale money out of Turkey?
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