What is a Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate (DAB)? 2026 Updated Guide

The foreign exchange purchase certificate (DAB) is an official document certifying that the foreign currency, which is the transaction price, has been sold to the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) through a bank during the real estate purchase process of foreign nationals in Turkey. According to the legislation that came into force at the beginning of 2022 and is meticulously implemented in 2025/2026, it is legally impossible to transfer the title deed without this document.

What is a Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate (DAB)?

The legal definition of what is a DAB is a receipt issued in accordance with the Communiqué Regarding Decree No. 32 on the Protection of the Value of Turkish Currency and the CBRT Circular on Capital Movements. The point to be noted regarding what a DAB document is is that this document is not just a foreign exchange receipt, but a “certificate of conformity” that must contain certain legal statements. By definition of a foreign exchange purchase and sale certificate, it proves that the foreign currency of the foreign investor has entered the country’s reserves. This practice was introduced to ensure financial transparency, especially in Turkish citizenship by investment applications.

What is the Purpose of a Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate?

• Title Deed Registration: It is a mandatory document for foreigners’ real estate acquisition in accordance with the instructions issued by the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (TKGM).
• Citizenship Process: It ensures the verification of the investment amount in Turkish citizenship applications. It is the proof of the investment amount for people who have acquired Turkish citizenship through real estate investment.
• VAT Exemption: By proving that the transaction was made in foreign currency, it helps to fulfill the requirements of Turkish real estate VAT exemption.
• Legal Compliance: It proves full compliance with capital market and foreign exchange legislation.

How to Obtain a Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate?

The how to obtain a foreign exchange purchase certificate process consists of operational steps that must be carried out without errors. The answer to the question of where to obtain a foreign exchange purchase certificate is deposit banks operating in Turkey.

Step-by-Step DAB Acquisition Process

1. Foreign Currency Transfer: The buyer transfers the real estate price from their own account to a bank account in Turkey.
2. Bank Instruction: A written instruction is given to the bank to sell the foreign currency to the CBRT and issue a DAB.
3. Sale of Foreign Currency to the CBRT: The bank performs the transaction instantly via CBRT Exchange Rates.
4. Approval of the Document: The bank creates the document with the statement “Issued under Decree No. 32”.

Which banks issue foreign exchange purchase certificates? This document can be obtained from all private deposit banks, especially public banks such as Ziraat Bankası, Vakıfbank, and Halkbank. Foreign exchange purchase certificate Ziraat Bankası transactions are usually concluded quickly through the bank’s foreign trade services.

DAB Requirement in Title Deed Transactions

In the 2025 and 2026 projections, no sales transaction involving foreigners is approved via Web-Tapu without submitting a title deed foreign exchange purchase certificate. TKGM digitally performs foreign exchange purchase certificate controls via the QR code on the document or the bank confirmation mechanism.

The foreign exchange purchase certificate requirement 2025/2026 is subject to the following critical rules:

• The foreign currency must be exchanged before the title deed transaction.
• The amount on the DAB cannot be lower than the sale price declared in the title deed.
• The buyer’s Name-Surname, Passport No or YKN (Foreigner Identification Number) information must be written in the explanation section during the foreign exchange transaction.
• For more details, you can review our comprehensive real estate sales guide in Turkey content.

Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate Sample and Completion

When examining a foreign exchange purchase certificate sample, it is essential that the following information is complete for the document to be considered valid:

• Name Surname / Title: Information of the foreign person exchanging the foreign currency.
• Passport / ID No: Foreign identification number or passport number.
• Currency Amount: Amount of foreign currency exchanged (USD, EUR, GBP, etc.).
• CBRT Exchange Rate Equivalent: The Central Bank exchange rate at the time of the transaction.
• Explanation Note: The statement “Issued under the Circular on Capital Movements in accordance with Decree No. 32”.

How to fill out a foreign exchange purchase certificate? This process is usually done by bank personnel through the system; however, it is critical for the investor to check the legal statements in the explanation section in order to avoid “loss of rights”.

Bank Instruction Sample

“… To the [Bank Name] Authority, I request that the amount of [Amount] [Currency] in my account number [IBAN No] be sold to the Central Bank in accordance with Article 13 of the CBRT Circular on Capital Movements and that a Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate (DAB) be issued in my name. Explanation: [Name Surname, Passport No, Real Estate Information]”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Professional Support: Reduce the Margin of Error to Zero in Your Title Deed Processes

The Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate (DAB) process is a technical financial operation and a legal procedure that leaves no room for error. As MFY Legal, we manage all banking and title deed processes of our foreign investors in compliance with the legislation with our experienced Turkish citizenship lawyer staff.

Our Services:

• Preparation of DAB instructions in 100% compliance with the legislation.
• Complete monitoring of Web-Tapu applications.
• Financial reporting compatible with citizenship and residence.