Studios for Sale in Dubai

Yes. Studio apartments remain one of the most resilient and actively traded residential asset classes in Dubai. According to 2025 statistics from the Dubai Land Department (DLD), apartments accounted for the majority of residential transactions by volume, with studios and one-bedroom units representing the highest turnover due to affordability and broad tenant demand. Studios are primarily used for income-focused strategies, benefiting from lower entry prices, consistent rental absorption, and higher resale liquidity than larger residential formats.

Gross rental yields for studio apartments typically range from 6% to 9%, depending on location, acquisition price, level of furnishing, and service charge structure. Studios located near metro stations or within established residential districts generally performed toward the upper end of this range. Investors should assess net yield by factoring in service charges, maintenance costs, and realistic vacancy assumptions, as operating efficiency has a material impact on returns in small-unit investments.

Studio apartments benefit from the widest buyer and tenant pool in Dubai’s residential market. Their lower capital requirement makes them accessible to first-time investors, international buyers, and cash purchasers, while strong demand from professionals and single residents supports leasing. As a result, studios typically experience shorter resale cycles and faster leasing compared to larger, higher-priced apartments, particularly in metro-connected and infrastructure-complete communities.

Dubai operates a tax-efficient framework for residential real estate ownership. There is no annual property tax, no capital gains tax, and no personal income tax on residential rental income for individual owners. The primary government cost at the time of purchase is a 4% Dubai Land Department (DLD) transfer fee, calculated on the purchase price and payable upon registration. Additional one-time costs may include fixed registration and trustee fees, which are transparent and standardised.

Service charges are annual fees payable to cover building operations, including maintenance of common areas, security, cleaning, facilities management, and shared amenities. In 2025, service charges for studio apartments in Dubai typically ranged between AED 12 and AED 25 per sq ft per year, depending on building quality, amenity level, and management efficiency. Because studios have smaller floor areas, service charges can materially impact net rental yield, making cost efficiency a key selection criterion.

While gross rental yields for Dubai studio apartments in 2025 typically ranged between 6% and 9%, net yields depend on operating costs. Service charges, utilities, maintenance, and occasional vacancy should be factored into realistic return expectations. From an investment standpoint, studios with efficient layouts, moderate service charges, and strong tenant demand tend to deliver more predictable net performance than larger but cost-heavy residential assets.

Yes. Foreign nationals are permitted to purchase studio apartments in designated freehold areas of Dubai with full ownership rights. Ownership is registered with the DLD and grants unrestricted rights to hold, lease, resell, mortgage, or transfer the property. Property ownership is not dependent on UAE residency status, although qualifying investments may support eligibility for long-term residency programmes under applicable regulations.