What is a DAB Certificate (Döviz Alım Belgesi)?
A DAB certificate — formally called Döviz Alım Belgesi — is an official document issued by a Turkish bank confirming that foreign currency was transferred into Turkey and converted to Turkish Lira (TRY).
In practical terms: when you wire USD, EUR, GBP, or any foreign currency from your bank abroad to your Turkish bank account, the bank converts it to Lira and issues this certificate as proof of the transaction.
For anyone purchasing property in Turkey — especially under the citizenship by investment program — this document is not optional. It is a mandatory requirement at the Title Deed Office (Tapu Müdürlüğü) during ownership transfer.
Without a valid DAB certificate, the property sale cannot proceed toward a citizenship application.
Why is the DAB Certificate Required?
The Turkish government introduced the DAB requirement to serve two purposes:
1. Anti-money laundering compliance. The certificate creates a verifiable paper trail showing where the purchase funds originated. It proves the money entered Turkey through legitimate banking channels — not cash, not cryptocurrency, not informal transfer networks.
2. Citizenship eligibility verification. For the $400,000 minimum investment threshold, authorities need documented proof that the buyer brought foreign capital into the country. The DAB certificate links the specific amount, the exchange rate, and the buyer’s identity together in a single auditable document.
This is not a bureaucratic formality. In recent years, applications have been rejected specifically because of missing, incomplete, or incorrectly issued DAB certificates.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Your DAB Certificate
Step 1 — Open a Turkish Bank Account
Before anything else, you need a bank account at a Turkish bank in your own name. Bring your passport, Turkish tax number (vergi numarası), and proof of address. Most major banks can open accounts for foreign nationals within 1-2 business days.
Step 2 — Initiate the International Wire Transfer
From your home country bank, send the required amount in foreign currency (USD, EUR, etc.) to your Turkish bank account. The transfer must come from an account in your name — transfers from a company account, a relative’s account, or a third party will not be accepted.
Important: include clear reference details in the wire transfer (your name, passport number) to avoid processing delays.
Step 3 — Currency Conversion at the Turkish Bank
Once the funds arrive in your Turkish account, the bank converts the foreign currency to Turkish Lira at the daily exchange rate. You do not choose the rate — it is the bank’s posted rate at the time of conversion.
Some investors time their transfers based on exchange rate movements. While this can affect how many Lira you receive, the critical factor for citizenship is the foreign currency amount — the $400,000 threshold is measured in USD equivalent, not in Lira.
Step 4 — Bank Issues the Döviz Alım Belgesi
After conversion, the bank issues the DAB certificate. This document contains:
- Full name of the account holder (must match the property buyer)
- Amount in foreign currency (e.g., $420,000 USD)
- Amount in Turkish Lira (the converted sum)
- Exchange rate applied
- Date of transaction
- Bank name, branch, and stamp
Request multiple original copies. You will need them for the Tapu office, your lawyer, and your own records.
Step 5 — Present at Title Deed Transfer
The DAB certificate is submitted at the Tapu Müdürlüğü during the property ownership transfer. The Land Registry official verifies that the certificate amount matches or exceeds the declared purchase price.
Critical Rules You Must Follow
The certificate must be in the buyer’s name. If you are the person applying for citizenship, the DAB must show your name — not your spouse’s, not a business partner’s, not a family member’s.
The amount must match the purchase price. If you are buying a $430,000 property, your DAB must show at least $430,000 in converted funds. A shortfall — even by $1,000 — can stall the entire process.
The DAB must be obtained BEFORE the title deed transfer. This is the most common timing mistake. You cannot buy the property first and get the DAB afterward. The sequence is: transfer money → get DAB → then proceed to Tapu.
The bank account must be in Turkey. A conversion certificate from a foreign bank does not count. The exchange must happen through a bank licensed and operating in Turkey.
Bank fees apply. Most Turkish banks charge a small commission on foreign currency conversion, typically 0.1% to 0.2% of the total amount. On a $400,000 transfer, expect $400 to $800 in conversion fees. Factor this into your budget.
Common Mistakes That Delay or Block Applications
Transferring to someone else’s account. The wire must go from your foreign account to your Turkish account. If your brother sends money on your behalf, the DAB will be in his name — useless for your application.
Getting the DAB after the title deed transfer. Once the Tapu is done, a post-dated DAB will not be accepted. The chronological order matters and is checked.
Not keeping certified copies. The original goes to the Tapu office. If you do not have copies, you will face delays when the immigration authority requests documentation. Always get 3-4 stamped copies from the bank.
Using cryptocurrency or cash. Neither is accepted. The funds must enter Turkey via an international bank wire (SWIFT transfer). Cash deposits — regardless of the amount — do not qualify for a DAB certificate.
Multiple small transfers without consolidation. If you send $100,000 in four separate transfers, make sure the bank issues either a consolidated DAB or that all four individual certificates are presented together. Partial documentation causes confusion and delays.
Which Turkish Banks Issue DAB Certificates?
All major Turkish banks can issue the Döviz Alım Belgesi. Banks commonly used by foreign property buyers include:
- Ziraat Bankası — state-owned, largest branch network
- Halkbank — state-owned, experienced with foreign buyers
- İş Bankası — largest private bank in Turkey
- Garanti BBVA — strong international banking infrastructure
- Yapı Kredi — part of Koç Group, good English-language support
- Akbank — reliable processing times
Choose a bank with a branch near your property location or your lawyer’s office. Some banks have dedicated “foreign investor desks” in Istanbul — these tend to process DAB certificates faster and with fewer errors.
How Long Does It Take?
If your international wire transfer has already arrived in your Turkish bank account, the DAB certificate can be issued the same day — often within a few hours.
The bottleneck is usually the wire transfer itself, which takes 1-3 business days depending on the sending bank and intermediary banks involved.
Realistic timeline:
- Wire transfer: 1-3 business days
- DAB issuance: same day (after funds arrive)
- Total: 2-4 business days from initiation
DAB in the Context of Your Full Citizenship Timeline
The DAB certificate is one piece of a larger process. Here is where it fits:
- Property selection and due diligence
- SPK valuation (independent appraisal)
- → DAB certificate (currency exchange proof)
- Title deed transfer at Tapu
- Citizenship application submission
- Residence permit (while application is processed)
- Citizenship approval (typically 4-12 months)
Each step depends on the previous one. The DAB must come after your funds arrive but before the Tapu transfer — there is no flexibility on this sequence.
Not Sure About the DAB Process?
The DAB certificate seems straightforward, but the details matter. A wrong name, a missing stamp, or a timing error can delay your citizenship application by months.
Book a free consultation with IDEX — we walk you through every document, every step, and every deadline before you transfer a single dollar.
Book a Free Consultation on WhatsApp →
Disclaimer: This content is educational and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Laws and procedures are subject to change. We recommend verifying information with a qualified lawyer before making any investment decision. IDEX Real Estate does not guarantee specific outcomes.
IDEX Real Estate | Istanbul | idexrealestate.com
Last updated: April 2026
