An officetel (오피스텔) is a uniquely Korean property type: a compact, fully-serviced studio or one-bedroom unit in a high-rise that blends office and residential use. They are the most popular first home for foreigners and young professionals in Seoul — typically move-in-ready, often furnished, steps from a subway station, and available both to buy (매매) and to rent monthly (월세).
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![[Suite Double] Furnished and Serviced Apartment near Yeouido - photo 1](/cdn-cgi/image/width=2560,quality=70,format=webp,fit=scale-down,onerror=redirect/https://data.expertsapiens.com/storage/v1/object/public/property-images/e455fc74-335c-438d-ade2-c51d3f9441b1/properties/1781070972794-9n05.webp?t=1781070973310)
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![[Urban Suite] Furnished and Serviced Apartment near Yeouido - photo 1](/cdn-cgi/image/width=2560,quality=70,format=webp,fit=scale-down,onerror=redirect/https://data.expertsapiens.com/storage/v1/object/public/property-images/e455fc74-335c-438d-ade2-c51d3f9441b1/properties/1781070553265-pwqi.webp?t=1781070553737)
![[Urban Suite] Furnished and Serviced Apartment near Yeouido - photo 2](/cdn-cgi/image/width=2560,quality=70,format=webp,fit=scale-down,onerror=redirect/https://data.expertsapiens.com/storage/v1/object/public/property-images/e455fc74-335c-438d-ade2-c51d3f9441b1/properties/1781070552060-g65n.webp?t=1781070552857)
![[ARC possible] Furnished Studio Apartment with City view near Gangnam Station - photo 1](/cdn-cgi/image/width=2560,quality=70,format=webp,fit=scale-down,onerror=redirect/https://data.expertsapiens.com/storage/v1/object/public/property-images/e455fc74-335c-438d-ade2-c51d3f9441b1/properties/1781069082573-1foq.webp?t=1781069083028)
![[ARC possible] Furnished Studio Apartment with City view near Gangnam Station - photo 2](/cdn-cgi/image/width=2560,quality=70,format=webp,fit=scale-down,onerror=redirect/https://data.expertsapiens.com/storage/v1/object/public/property-images/e455fc74-335c-438d-ade2-c51d3f9441b1/properties/1781069116692-g2vf.webp?t=1781069117298)
An officetel ("office" + "hotel") is a multi-purpose building registered for both residential and business use. Units are compact and efficient — most are studios or one-bedrooms — and buildings usually include an elevator, security, parking, and on-site management. For foreigners, officetels are the easiest way into the Seoul market: they are plentiful near transit, commonly rented furnished, and the paperwork is straightforward.
Apartments (아파트) are larger family homes in big complexes; officetels are smaller, more central, and cheaper to enter. If you want a low-maintenance home near work or campus, an officetel usually wins. If you need space for a family, look at apartments.
You can buy an officetel outright (매매) or rent it on a monthly basis (월세, a deposit plus monthly rent) or via jeonse (전세, a large refundable lump-sum deposit and no monthly rent). Foreigners can do all three.
Yes. South Korea places no residency requirement on foreign property buyers — you can purchase an officetel with a passport, a local bank account, and an Alien Registration Card or the appropriate reporting to the local district office. Many of our listings are handled by English-speaking, verified realtors.
Entry-level officetels in outer districts start around the low hundreds of millions of won, while new units in Gangnam or near major stations command more. To rent, expect a deposit plus monthly rent (월세), or a larger refundable lump sum under jeonse (전세). Use the filters above to see current prices.
Officetels are smaller, more central, mixed-use units — ideal for singles, couples, and students — and are cheaper to enter. Apartments are larger residential homes in dedicated complexes, better suited to families.
Many are. Officetels are commonly offered fully furnished and move-in ready, which is why they are popular with foreigners arriving on short notice. Each listing notes whether it is furnished.
