Apartments for sale in Dubai — from AED 450,000
Buy a Dubai apartment with 5–9% rental yield. Full foreign ownership, no income tax, and a remote deal in 2–3 weeks. We match you to the right unit and handle the paperwork.
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Apartments for sale in Dubai start from about AED 450,000 (≈$122,000) for a studio, with 5–9% gross rental yield and no tax on rental income. Foreigners get full freehold ownership in designated zones and can buy remotely by power of attorney in 2–3 weeks. The most affordable areas are JVC and Business Bay; Dubai Marina and Downtown are prime; Dubai Creek Harbour and Dubai Hills lead on capital growth. Registered reality check: across the 77,666 apartment sales the Dubai Land Department registered in January–July 2026 the median was AED 1,250,000, and nine deals in ten fell between AED 538,544 and AED 4,547,130. The largest single apartment deal of the period was AED 422,000,000. These are prices paid, not asking prices.
Best areas for apartments in Dubai
Apartment prices in Dubai by area
The cheapest apartments in Dubai start in JVC and Business Bay, while Dubai Marina and Downtown command a premium. Here is how entry price and gross rental yield compare across the most-bought areas (data as of June 2026).
| Area | Price / sq.ft | 1-bed from | Gross yield | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JVC | ~AED 1,100 | AED 500,000 | 7–9% | Lowest entry, top yield |
| Dubai Marina | AED 2,058 | AED 1,600,000 | 5.5–7.2% | Lifestyle, rental liquidity |
| Business Bay | AED 2,547 | AED 1,000,000 | 5.5–7% | Central, strong yield |
| Dubai Creek Harbour | ~AED 2,100 | AED 1,300,000 | 5–6% | Capital growth, new waterfront |
| Downtown Dubai | AED 3,011 | AED 2,200,000 | 5–6% | Prestige, prime tenants |
Price per sq.ft and yields as of 2026. Sources: Engel & Völkers, Property Finder, DLD.
What it costs to buy, on top of the price
Budget about 7–8% over the purchase price in one-off fees: the Dubai Land Department transfer fee (4%), agency commission (≈2%), trustee registration and admin (≈AED 5,000–10,000), plus a title-deed fee. There is no annual property tax and no tax on rental income or resale gains — a key reason Dubai apartments out-yield London (≈3%) or New York (≈3–4%).
Buy from abroad — in 2–3 weeks, remotely
Four things to know before you buy
Golden Visa from AED 2M
An apartment with a DLD-assessed value of AED 2 million qualifies you and your family for a 10-year UAE residency (Golden Visa). Since February 2026 the old rule — paying at least 50% or AED 1M upfront — has been removed: only the total value matters, and mortgaged and off-plan units from approved developers also count. Source ↗
Mortgage for non-residents
Non-residents can finance a Dubai apartment with most banks: typically up to 50–60% of the value (so a 40–50% down payment), at rates of about 4–6% depending on fixed vs variable. Many buyers under AED 3M skip the mortgage and use a developer payment plan instead. Source ↗
Service charges affect net yield
Owners pay an annual service charge of roughly AED 12–25 per sq.ft for apartments (building upkeep, security, amenities). On a 700 sq.ft studio that's ~AED 8,400–17,500 a year — always check the RERA Service Charge Index for the exact building before you buy, as it turns a 9% gross yield into a lower net. Source ↗
Off-plan payment plans
Off-plan drove about 70% of Dubai deals in 2026. Plans usually start with a ~20% down payment, then instalments during construction and on handover (common 60/40 or 80/20 splits); some developers offer 1% per month. It lowers the entry cash but adds construction/handover risk — we vet the developer's track record first. Source ↗
Estimate your rental return
Gross estimate based on typical Dubai yields by unit type (studio ~9%, 1-bed ~8%, 2-bed ~7.2%). Net yield is lower after service charges (~AED 12–25/sq.ft). Actual rent varies by building and area.
Get apartments that match this
A shortlist of 5–7 units at this yield — to your WhatsApp within the hour.
Dubai apartments with yield estimates
Studio, JVC
1 Bed, Dubai Marina
2 Bed, Business Bay
Sample listings for illustration. We'll send a live shortlist for your budget on request.
One of the world's highest-yield apartment markets
In Q1 2026 Dubai recorded AED 252 billion in real-estate transactions — up 31% in value year on year — including AED 176.7 billion in property sales across nearly 48,000 deals. The average price reached AED 1,759 per sq.ft, up 12.5% on the year to January 2026 — the most valuable month in the city's history, and the peak before the spring correction.
Apartments here yield 5–9% gross — versus roughly 3% in London or New York — with no tax on rental income or capital gains. Population growth keeps demand deep — even through the 2026 correction — and freehold ownership lets foreigners buy, rent out and resell freely. Off-plan drives about 70% of all deals, so payment plans are widely available.
For rental income, look at JVC or Business Bay (7–9% gross). For price growth, Dubai Creek Harbour and Dubai Hills led the market through 2024–2025; since the correction began in February 2026 they are holding better than the mass segment rather than still climbing. We'll tell you which fits your budget and how the net yield actually lands — and most buyers close the whole deal remotely, without flying in.
Source: Dubai Land Department, Q1 2026 (DLD / Zawya ↗).
Dubai · skyline
Common questions
How much does an apartment in Dubai cost?
Studios start from about AED 450,000; one-bedrooms from ~AED 750,000; two-bedrooms from ~AED 1.1M. The biggest factor is the area — JVC and Business Bay are most affordable, Downtown and Dubai Marina cost more.
Can a foreigner buy an apartment in Dubai?
Yes. In freehold zones foreigners get full ownership. The deal can be done remotely by power of attorney in 2–3 weeks — no residency or visa required to buy.
Which area is best for an apartment?
For yield: JVC and Business Bay (7–9%). For lifestyle & liquidity: Dubai Marina, Downtown. For capital growth: Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai Hills. We match the area to your goal.
What rental yield do Dubai apartments give?
Typically 5–9% gross per year — among the highest of major global cities — with zero tax on rental income.
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