Discover a hand-picked selection of apartments for sale in Dubai, from studio investments to family-sized homes across the city's most sought-after communities. As a UAE brokerage operating since 2004, Footprint Real Estate® pairs every flat for sale in Dubai with direct access to a named, RERA-registered consultant — so you buy with clear, accountable local guidance rather than an anonymous listing feed. Browse the apartments below, or read our guide to prices, areas, and the buying process.
Apartment prices in Dubai vary widely by community, building, view and whether a unit is ready or off-plan. As a general guide for buyers, prices and typical sizes by unit type currently look like this:
Studio apartments — from around AED 400,000 in value communities, with a city-wide average near AED 790,000; typically 400–500 sq ft, and among the highest-yielding units at roughly 7.5%–9%.
1-bedroom apartments — from around AED 650,000, with a typical price of AED 1.3–1.5 million; usually 700–800 sq ft, yielding around 7%–8.5%.
2-bedroom apartments — from around AED 900,000, with a typical price near AED 2 million; usually 1,050–1,400 sq ft, yielding around 6.5%–7.5%.
3-bedroom apartments — from around AED 1.4 million for entry-to-mid-range units, rising well beyond AED 4.5 million in prime waterfront areas; typically 1,500–2,200 sq ft, yielding around 5.5%–7%.
Across the market, Dubai apartments currently average a gross rental yield of roughly 7%, which compares very favourably with mature global cities such as London, New York and Hong Kong. Entry-level studios and one-bedroom flats tend to deliver the strongest returns, which is why they remain popular with investors, while larger two- and three-bedroom apartments appeal to families and owner-occupiers. Off-plan apartments often start at lower entry prices with phased payment plans, whereas ready units let you move in or rent immediately. For a tailored view of what your budget buys in a specific community, speak to our team — or explore current off-plan apartments in Dubai.
The right community depends on whether you are buying to live or to invest. Some of the most popular areas for apartments for sale in Dubai include:
Downtown Dubai — the city's prestige address, home to Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, favoured by buyers wanting capital-city living and strong short-let demand.
Business Bay — a central, canal-side business and residential hub, popular with professionals and investors for its connectivity.
Dubai Marina — waterfront high-rise living with a vibrant lifestyle, consistently one of the most in-demand rental areas.
Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) — one of the most accessible freehold communities for first-time buyers, known for value entry prices and some of the city's highest apartment yields.
Dubai Sports City — affordable, well-connected apartments with strong tenant demand and consistently high rental returns.
Arjan — a fast-growing freehold community offering competitively priced units and good ROI potential.
Damac Lagoons — a master-planned waterfront destination with resort-style living and flexible payment plans.
Dubai South — an emerging growth corridor near Al Maktoum Airport and Expo City, attractive to long-term investors.
Each area links through to the apartments we currently have available there. If you are weighing lifestyle against rental return, our investment advisory team can help you compare options.
Buying a flat in Dubai is a well-regulated, straightforward process. Here is how a typical purchase works:
Set your budget and arrange financing. Decide between a cash purchase or a mortgage, and obtain a pre-approval if you plan to finance. See our mortgage services for help.
Choose your area and apartment. Shortlist communities and units that match your goals, then arrange viewings with our consultants.
Make an offer and sign the MoU (Form F). Once buyer and seller agree terms, both parties sign the Memorandum of Understanding and the buyer typically pays a deposit of around 10% of the purchase price, usually held by the agent until transfer.
Apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC). The seller obtains an NOC from the developer confirming there are no outstanding service charges.
Complete the transfer at the DLD. The transfer is finalised at a Dubai Land Department trustee office, fees are settled, and the title deed is issued in the buyer's name.
Handover. You receive the keys and access details and can move in or list the unit for rent.
A typical resale transaction completes within around 30 days of signing the MoU, and the transfer must be registered with the DLD within 60 days. Our team manages each step on your behalf, including coordination with developers, conveyancers and mortgage providers.
Beyond the purchase price, budget for the following typical costs when you buy an apartment in Dubai:
DLD transfer fee — 4% of the purchase price, paid to the Dubai Land Department, plus an admin fee (around AED 580 for ready property) and trustee office fees of roughly AED 4,000–4,200.
Agency commission — usually 2% of the purchase price, plus 5% VAT.
NOC fee — paid to the developer to confirm service charges are cleared; typically AED 500–5,000 (most fall between AED 1,000 and AED 3,000), and usually the seller's cost.
Mortgage registration fee (if financing) — 0.25% of the loan amount plus AED 290, paid to the DLD, alongside a bank arrangement fee (around 1% of the loan) and a valuation fee (around AED 2,500–3,500).
Down payment — residents financing a first property under AED 5 million can typically borrow up to 80% (a 20% down payment), with 20–25% common overall; non-residents are generally required to put down more.
As a rule of thumb, budget roughly 7%–8% of the purchase price in transaction costs on top of your down payment. Note that since a 2025 UAE Central Bank directive, these fees must be paid in cash at closing rather than added to the mortgage. Dubai charges no annual property tax or capital gains tax, which keeps long-term ownership costs competitive.
For a precise cost breakdown on a specific unit — including service charges and expected net yield — request a property valuation or speak to a consultant.
Yes. Any nationality, whether resident or based overseas, can buy a flat in Dubai within designated freehold areas, owning the property outright with a title deed. Most of Dubai's popular apartment communities — including Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Business Bay, JVC and Arjan — sit within these freehold zones.
The main distinction to understand is freehold versus leasehold ownership. Freehold gives you full, permanent ownership of the unit and the right to sell, rent or modify it. Leasehold grants the right to occupy a property for a fixed term (commonly up to 99 years) without owning the underlying land. For most buyers seeking long-term value or investment flexibility, freehold apartments are the preferred choice. Our consultants can confirm the ownership status of any unit before you commit.
Footprint Real Estate® has been an active part of the UAE property market since 2004, offering a one-stop solution across the entire property journey. When you buy an apartment in Dubai with us, you get:
Named, accountable experts — every listing is handled by a RERA-registered consultant you can contact directly by phone, email or WhatsApp.
End-to-end service — from mortgage and property valuation to investment advisory, property management and snagging, we support you well beyond the sale.
Two decades of local market knowledge — practical, on-the-ground guidance on pricing, communities and timing.
Book an appointment with our team to discuss your requirements.
Q. How much does an apartment in Dubai cost?
A. Prices depend on community, size and whether the unit is ready or off-plan. As a guide, studios start from around AED 400,000, one-bedroom apartments from around AED 650,000, and two-bedroom units from around AED 900,000, rising in prime areas. Contact us for current pricing in a specific area.
Q. Can foreigners buy a flat in Dubai?
A. Yes. Buyers of any nationality can own apartments outright in Dubai's designated freehold areas, which include most popular apartment communities such as Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, JVC and Business Bay. Our consultants confirm a unit's ownership status before you proceed.
Q. What fees apply when buying an apartment in Dubai?
A. Expect a 4% DLD transfer fee, around 2% agency commission plus VAT, an NOC fee paid to the developer, and mortgage registration costs (0.25% of the loan plus AED 290) if you finance. Budget roughly 7%–8% of the price in total transaction costs.
Q. What is the best area to buy an apartment in Dubai?
A. It depends on your goal. Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina suit lifestyle buyers and short-let investors, while JVC, Arjan and Dubai Sports City offer stronger entry-level yields. Our team can match areas to your budget and objectives.
Q. What rental yield do Dubai apartments offer?
A. Dubai apartments average a gross yield of around 7%, among the highest of major global cities. Studios and one-bedroom flats typically deliver the strongest returns at roughly 7.5%–9%. Ask us for current figures on a specific property.
Q. Can I get a mortgage to buy an apartment in Dubai as a non-resident?
A. Yes, several UAE banks lend to non-residents, though down-payment requirements are usually higher than the 20–25% common for residents. Our mortgage services team can advise on eligibility and pre-approval.
Q. Is it better to buy off-plan or ready apartments in Dubai?
A. Off-plan apartments often offer lower entry prices, phased payment plans and no agency commission, while ready units provide immediate occupancy or rental income. Compare current off-plan projects in Dubai with our ready listings above.
