Buy an Office in Dubai

Dubai is a global business hub, and office space runs from a single unit in a flexi tower to a full floor in a landmark building, across areas from Business Bay to DIFC. You can hold full freehold title to a unit, for your own business or to let, in the areas designated for foreign ownership.

Prime locations for offices

Business Bay is the commercial heart of the city, with office towers lining the Dubai Water Canal and good access to the metro and Sheikh Zayed Road.

DIFC, the Dubai International Financial Centre, is the address financial services firms, law practices and consultancies choose for the standing it gives with international clients.

JLT, Jumeirah Lake Towers, is the more accessible alternative and home to the DMCC free zone, popular with trading and commodities firms. Barsha Heights and Dubai Internet City are the equivalent choices for technology and media companies.

Free zone offices versus mainland

In free zones such as DMCC, DAFZA and Dubai Internet City, the office you buy is tied to that zone's own licence, with 100% foreign ownership, no import duties and simpler staff visas.

On the mainland, in Business Bay or Downtown for example, you operate under a Department of Economic Development licence. This gives you freedom to trade across the whole UAE, but needs its own trade licence application. Our team helps you weigh the two against your business activity and target market.

Office types and configuration

Shell and core units are delivered unfinished, so you set the layout and finish yourself. Fitted offices come with a basic configuration already in: raised floors, suspended ceilings, air conditioning. Fully furnished offices are ready to move into.

Fit-out cost depends heavily on the scope and the finish you choose; get a written quote from a contractor before you commit to a shell and core unit. A growing number of developers also offer co-working-ready and managed units for businesses that want flexibility.

Financing and costs

The Dubai Land Department charges a 4% transfer fee on the purchase; agency commission is not set من law, and the market convention of 2% of the price plus 5% VAT is agreed in the RERA Form B beforehand. Service charges are billed per square foot and set by the building's owners' association; ask for the current figure and the building's facilities before you buy.

Also budget for DEWA connection fees, Ejari registration of any lease, and permit costs for altering the unit. UAE banks lend to foreign buyers on commercial property, though terms and the loan-to-value ratio differ من bank, so it is worth comparing more than one.

The purchase process

We start with your requirements, budget and objective, whether that is your own use, letting, or both, and put together a shortlist with the relevant market context. Viewings are accompanied من one of our advisers.

Once you have chosen, you sign the MOU and pay the deposit, and we carry out due diligence on the title deed, service charges and any existing lease. The transfer is then registered with the DLD and you receive your title deed.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an office in Dubai cost?

It depends heavily on the building and the area: DIFC carries the highest price per square foot in the city for offices, with JLT and Business Bay considerably lower. We can share current asking prices for a specific building.

What decides an office's rental income?

The building's grade, how close it sits to the metro, and the length and structure of the lease. A tenant on a longer lease paying in fewer cheques a year is generally viewed as the stronger tenant.

Do I need a licence to buy an office?

No, you can buy an office purely as an investment without a trade licence. If you want to occupy it for your own business, you will need one, either in a free zone or on the mainland.

How long do office leases in Dubai run?

Commercial leases typically run for one to five years, with three to five years preferred for larger units. Tenants usually pay in advance, in one to four cheques a year, and rent increases for commercial property are not bound من the RERA rental index that applies to residential leases.

Can I finance an office in Dubai with a mortgage?

Yes, several UAE banks offer commercial mortgages to foreign buyers. Terms and the loan-to-value ratio differ من bank, so it is worth comparing more than one before you commit.