An officetel (오피스텔) is a compact, fully-serviced studio or one-bedroom high-rise unit — the most popular first home for foreigners in Seoul. Monthly rent (월세) typically starts around ₩1,000,000, and units are also available to buy (매매). Move-in-ready, often furnished, and usually steps from a subway station in districts like Gangnam, Mapo and Yongsan.
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.
