Benefits of Purchasing an Office in Dubai
Dubai offers businesses many advantages making it a great city to purchase an office space. These advantages range from 100% ownership, to high ROIs, low or no taxes, great economy, premium infrastructure, and UAE residency.
- 100% business ownership in Freehold areas and Free Zones for foreigners without the need for a local sponsor.
- High Return on Investment (ROI) ranging from 6-10% which is higher than many global business hubs; as well as capital appreciation for office spaces in prime areas such as Business Bay, Downtown Dubai, and DIFC.
- No property tax, 0% personal income tax, 9% corporate tax, and low business costs.
- Stable and growing market rich in international companies and startups, with premium infrastructure, metro, airports, and business hubs.
- Residency when buying property worth AED 750,000+ as well as easy business licensing and setup in major free zones.
Types of Offices Available for Sale in Dubai
There are various types of office space for sale in Dubai and your choice will depend on your business needs, budget, and investment goals. Below are the most common types of offices you can consider:
These are completely bare office space with no interior finishes, partitions, or ceilings. You can thus fully customize them based on business needs.
These offices are equipped with flooring, ceilings, lighting, and partitions. So they require minimal modifications before moving in.
These are fully furnished with desks, chairs, meeting rooms, and IT setup, making them the ideal solution for businesses that need to start operations immediately.
These managed office spaces are equipped with reception, admin support, IT services, and utilities included. You can usually find them in business centers and shared buildings.
These shared office spaces provide a professional environment with networking opportunities. They offer flexible lease terms as well as access to shared amenities.
If you do not need a physical office, these virtual offices provide a business address, phone answering service, and mail handling.
High-Rise Corporate Offices:
These offices are usually located in premium towers like Burj Khalifa, DIFC, One JLT, and The Opus; and come with high-end amenities and panoramic views.
The Most Popular Areas to Buy Offices in Dubai
In addition to its dynamic real estate market, Dubai is a major business hub in the GCC region. Acquiring an office in this city will surely help your business expand and reach new heights. Here are the most notable areas to buy offices in Dubai:
- Business Bay: It is a central business district with many premium office towers.
- Downtown Dubai: It provides you with a prestigious address near Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall.
- Dubai Marina: As a prime waterfront location, it appeals to high-end businesses.
- Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT): This freehold community is both affordable and offers lake views.
- DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre): It is a financial hub with tax-free incentives for businesses.
- Sheikh Zayed Road: This area enjoys a strategic location with direct access to metros and highways.
- Dubai Hills Estate: This is an emerging business hub with modern office spaces.
- Al Barsha & TECOM (Barsha Heights): This neighborhood offers budget-friendly offices with high connectivity.
Step by Step to Buy Offices in Dubai
Buying in Dubai requires a method. It’s tempting to rush, especially if units are limited. But proceed with structure.
- Define Needs: Establish whether the office is for owner-use or rental income. Set square footage and target zones.
- Get Pre-Approval (if financing): UAE banks finance up to 60–70% for commercial real estate. Pre-approval is critical to avoid delays.
- Shortlist Properties: Use licensed agents. At Driven Properties, we only list verified titles and properties with full legal clearance.
- Inspect and Evaluate: Visit shortlisted offices. Evaluate fire safety, building condition, telecom readiness, and parking.
- Legal Review: Have our legal desk or your lawyer check the SPA (Sale Purchase Agreement), title deed, and building regulations.
- Payment and Transfer: Most deals use escrow accounts. You pay a 10% deposit. Final amount is paid on transfer to the Dubai Land Department.
- Post-Purchase Registration: Once the title deed is issued. Then, register with service providers, DEWA, telecom, and facility management.
From start to finish, the process takes 15 to 45 days depending on whether you're paying cash or financing.
Investing in Off-Plan Offices in Dubai
Investing in off-plan offices in Dubai can offer attractive returns. These yields will surely depend on multiple factors such as location, developer reputation, and market conditions. While specific data on off-plan offices is limited, the rental yields for prime off-plan areas range between 7-10%. Off-plan properties also provide high capital appreciation upon project completion.
Why Buy an Office from Driven Properties
With a wealth of experience, a highly qualified team, and an expansive network of connections among developers, Driven Properties is your ideal partner who helps you scour the real estate market of Dubai and find the office that meets your business needs. We will also streamline the process of acquiring the paperwork, setting up the sales contract, and finalising the legal procedures until ownership is transferred.
What to Consider Before Buying Office Space
Budget and ROI
Capital allocation defines everything. Before considering a furnished office for sale in Dubai, investors must calculate both short and long-term expenses. Purchase costs vary by district. For instance, office space in DIFC can start at AED 7,500 per sqm. Business Bay offices are slightly more affordable at AED 5,000 to AED 6,000 per sqm. Add on registration costs, maintenance, and potential fit-outs.
Many clients we’ve assisted ask about yield. It’s not uniform. In zones like Downtown and DIFC, the average return stands around 7.5–8%. However, less central locations may drop to 5%. It’s still solid if matched with low debt.
Evaluate projected income versus expenses. Factor service charges, property tax (outside free zones), and vacancy risk. If you're acquiring space for self-use, estimate opportunity cost, what leasing would cost you over 5 years versus ownership.
Location and Accessibility
Dubai is split into specialised zones. Picking the right location changes your footfall, visibility, and team productivity. In the context of office real estate Dubai options range from central trade hubs like Sheikh Zayed Road to emerging zones like Dubai South.
Think long-term. Metro access, connectivity to major highways, and ease of commute, all affect workforce retention. For instance, properties near Business Bay metro or Emirates Towers are often fully occupied.
Property Management and Facilities
It’s not only about square meters. It's about what comes with it. A growing number of investors are opting for managed properties. These come with concierge, IT infrastructure, CCTV, elevators, HVAC, and parking.
If you buy in an unmanaged facility, budget for third-party FM services. That includes cleaning, reception, IT backend, and annual maintenance contracts. Most A-grade towers, however, include this. As a reference, maintenance fees in premium buildings can range between AED 25–35 per sq.ft. yearly.
Also look at BMS (building management systems), energy rating, elevators' wait time, and air quality ratings. These are indirect cost factors that affect employee efficiency.
Future Business Expansion Plans
Never buy just for your current team size. Always account for vertical or horizontal scalability. One mistake we see: firms buy based on current needs and outgrow it within 18–24 months. Then comes the pain of reselling or leasing new space.
If you're eyeing long-term operations in Dubai, buy in the towers with multi-unit layouts. That way, as your team scales, you acquire adjacent floors or offices. Co-working layouts or divisible spaces can be a smart buffer.
Also consider legal zoning. Some buildings allow mixed-use. Some don’t. If you're planning to expand into retail or hospitality services later, make sure the building classification permits this.
Why Invest in Office Space in Dubai?
Strategic Global Business Hub
Few cities match Dubai’s centrality. It connects Asia, Europe, and Africa in under eight hours by air. This is one reason the Emirate now hosts over 400,000 active businesses. The infrastructure isn’t just roads and towers, it’s policy, people, and logistics.
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) alone contributes over 5% to the GDP. That's no accident. Office real estate Dubai-wide has become a magnet for legal firms, fintechs, consultancies, and blockchain ventures.
For international firms looking at Middle East expansion, having headquarters in Dubai is often non-negotiable. The address says more than just location, it signals trust and scale.
Tax-Free Business Environment
Corporate tax has entered the scene. But still, many free zones remain exempt. Plus, there's no capital gains tax on property resale. That’s one reason furnished office for sale Dubai listings have surged.
For example, JLT and DMCC zones are still 0% tax zones. You retain profits. There’s VAT (5%), but that's recoverable for VAT-registered entities. Moreover, foreign ownership is allowed in most office locations, something rare in many Gulf countries.
All this means your return isn't just in rental yield or usage efficiency. You also benefit from a low-friction fiscal environment. Over time, that makes capital efficiency higher.
Growing Demand for Commercial Property
Dubai office market trends show firm growth. Office occupancy hit a 15-year high in 2024. Supply is catching up, but slowly. High-quality Grade A spaces are being absorbed rapidly. This is driving prices up but selectively.
For instance, shell-and-core offices in DIFC grew 9.2% in price over the past year. In Business Bay, ready-to-move units appreciated 7.1%.
The demand push is sector-driven. Fintech, logistics, AI, and offshore consultancies are leading space absorption. We expect 2025 to maintain this trajectory unless global capital flows change drastically.
This imbalance of supply-demand makes it a landlord’s market. You benefit if you invest in the right building.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an Office Space
Just like any other purchase, when buying an office space, you need to consider a few factors to ensure it aligns with your business goals, budget, and long-term needs. Location and accessibility are very important factors so you remain close to your clients or enjoy great visibility should you need it. Look for a location that has parking spaces, metro stations, and bus stations. Take into consideration your finances also such as how much you can pay for the office space and don’t forget to account for any fees and services charges. The layout of the office is very important, make sure it’s big enough to meet your business needs. Amenities, services, and infrastructure are equally important factors to think of.
Cost of Offices in Dubai
The price of offices in Dubai depends on the location, the size of the office, its layout, the services and amenities it comes with. Below, we have curated some locations along with their average prices and sizes:
Location | Average Price (AED) | Price per Sq. Ft. (AED) |
Business Bay | 1,786,000 | 1,609 |
Jumeirah Lake Towers | 1,685,000 | 1,326 |
Dubai Silicon Oasis | 847,000 | 704 |
Downtown Dubai | 19,018,000 | 4,792 |
Barsha Heights (Tecom) | 1,934,000 | 1,356 |
ROI for Offices for Sale in Dubai
Investing in offices for sale in Dubai can yield attractive returns (ROI), especially that general commercial properties promise returns of up to 11.1%. Keep in mind that ROI is influenced by many factors such as location, property type, and market dynamics.
Costs Associated with Buying an Office in Dubai
Cost Category | Description | Amount (AED) |
Dubai Land Department (DLD) Fees | Transfer Fee | 4% of property price |
- | Administration Fee | AED 580 (apartments/offices), AED 430 (land), AED 40 (off-plan) |
Property Registration Fees | Below AED 500,000 | AED 2,000 + 5% VAT |
Mortgage Registration Fees | Mortgage Registration Fee | 0.25% of loan amount + AED 290 |
Agency/Brokerage Fees | Commission | 2% of property price + 5% VAT |
Mortgage-Related Costs | Mortgage Arrangement Fee | 1% of loan amount + 5% VAT |
- | Property Valuation Fee | AED 2,500 – AED 3,500 + 5% VAT |
No Objection Certificate (NOC) Fee | Required for a property with an existing mortgage | AED 500 – AED 5,000 |
DEWA Connection Fees | Electricity & Water Setup | AED 2,000 (apartments), AED 4,000 (villas) |
Home Insurance | Annual Premium | 0.5% – 1% of property value |
Service & Maintenance Fees | Annual Charges | Varies by property size & location |
Registration Trustee Fees | Transactions below AED 500,000 | AED 2,100 (incl. VAT) |
- | Transactions above AED 500,000 | AED 4,200 (incl. VAT) |
Conveyancing Fees | Legal Processing Fees | AED 6,000 – AED 10,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How can I open an office in Dubai?
You need to register your business with Dubai Economy (DED) for mainland offices or a free zone authority for free zone offices, then lease or buy office space based on your business needs.
2. How much does it cost to open an office in Dubai?
The cost varies by location and office type but typically ranges from AED 50,000 to AED 500,000+, including rent, licenses, and setup costs.
3. Is buying office space in Dubai a smart investment?
Yes, Dubai offers high ROI (6-10%), strong capital appreciation, and tax-free property ownership for businesses.
4. Is it better to rent or buy an office space in Dubai?
Buying is ideal for long-term investment and stability while renting provides flexibility and lower upfront costs.
5. Can expats buy office space in Dubai?
Yes, expats can buy commercial property in freehold areas with 100% ownership, and without restrictions or the need for a sponsor.
6. Can I open a company while working in Dubai?
Yes, but you may need your employer’s approval or a business license that allows dual employment.
