A Korean apartment (아파트) is a unit in a large residential complex — the most common family home in Seoul. Complexes bundle parking, security, playgrounds and management, and range from compact two-bedrooms to spacious high-floor homes with river or city views. Foreigners can both buy (매매) and rent (전세 / 월세).
Apartment prices vary widely by district, age, size and floor. The clearest way to compare is price per pyeong (3.3㎡): central and southern districts such as Gangnam command the highest figures, while northern and outer districts are markedly cheaper. For the median apartment price and price-per-pyeong in every Seoul district, see our Seoul home prices guide.
Foreigners face no residency requirement to buy. You will need a passport, a Korean bank account, and to file the standard foreign-acquisition report at the district office. Our listings are handled by English-speaking, verified realtors who can walk you through the contract and registration.
Jeonse (전세) is a large, fully-refundable lump-sum deposit with no monthly rent. Wolse (월세) is a smaller deposit plus monthly rent. Both are open to foreigners; wolse is usually easier to arrange on a shorter timeline. See all apartments and homes for rent in Seoul.
Unlike a standalone building, a Korean apartment (아파트) sits in a managed complex (단지) with underground parking, 24-hour security, landscaped grounds, playgrounds and often a gym or library. A monthly management fee (관리비) covers shared services. The scale of the complex and its brand (e.g. major builders) heavily influence price and resale value.
Families and professionals cluster in Gangnam and Seocho for schools and business access, Mapo and Yongsan for central living, and Songpa for newer large complexes near parks. Use the filters above to narrow by district, price and size.
Apartments are larger and family-oriented, in dedicated complexes. Officetels are smaller, more central mixed-use units that are cheaper to enter — better for singles and couples.
It varies widely by district, age, size and floor. The clearest comparison is price per pyeong (3.3㎡): central districts like Gangnam command the highest figures, outer districts much less. See the median apartment price and price-per-pyeong for every Seoul district on our Seoul home prices guide.
A Korean apartment is a unit in a large managed residential complex (단지) — the most common family home in Seoul. Complexes include underground parking, security, landscaped grounds and playgrounds, with a monthly management fee (관리비) for shared services.
Yes. South Korea has no residency requirement for foreign property buyers. With a passport, a local bank account, and the standard foreign-acquisition filing at the district office, you can purchase an apartment.
Jeonse (전세) is a large refundable lump-sum deposit with no monthly rent; wolse (월세) is a smaller deposit plus monthly rent. Foreigners can use either.
Yes — renting has no residency requirement either. You'll need a passport and, for wolse (monthly rent), usually a local bank account and sometimes a Korean guarantor or larger deposit if you lack a Korean credit history. Jeonse is harder for foreigners to arrange due to the large lump-sum deposit, so most foreign renters use wolse.
