Dubai South and Expo City: living by the future mega airport

In short: Dubai South is the large development area around Al Maktoum Airport (DWC), which Dubai is expanding into the world’s largest airport; the first phase is due to open in 2032. It includes Expo City Dubai on the former Expo site and residential projects such as Emaar South. Here you mostly buy off-plan – with big opportunities and real risks.

Location and access

Dubai South lies in the south-west of the emirate, between Jebel Ali, Dubai Investments Park and the border with Abu Dhabi. The Marina is around 25 minutes away, Downtown about 40 minutes. The metro runs to Expo City. Key roads are Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road.

The airport as the engine

Al Maktoum Airport is currently mainly a cargo airport. But Dubai has decided to expand it into the world’s largest passenger airport: around AED 128 billion is earmarked for the new terminal, and the first phase is due to open in 2032. Flight operations at today’s DXB airport are to move here gradually over the coming years. That would bring tens of thousands of jobs to the region – and with them demand for housing.

The main parts

• Expo City Dubai: The site of the Expo 2020 world fair with the Al Wasl Plaza dome, converted into a district with offices, events and apartments.
• Emaar South: An Emaar community with a golf course, townhouses and apartments.
• Dubai South Residential District: Several projects with apartments and townhouses, many of them affordable.

Living in Dubai South

• Today: Still quiet and partly empty, with growing infrastructure.
• Expo City: Parks, events and restaurants on the Expo site.
• Mobility: Metro to Expo City, otherwise a car.
• Future: With the airport, schools, shopping and jobs are expected to increase significantly.

Property in Dubai South

On offer are apartments, townhouses and villas, largely off-plan, with payment plans during construction. Entry prices are well below those of the central districts.

What matters

• Developer: Experience and financial strength are especially important for projects in a young area.
• Timeline: When is handover – and how far along will the surroundings be by then?
• Position relative to the airport: Proximity means jobs, but under flight paths it also means noise.
• Holding period: The full effect of the airport is likely to kick in only in the 2030s.

How buying in Dubai South works

In Dubai South you mostly buy from the developer, i.e. off-plan. This is how it works:

1. Reservation: a reservation fee secures the unit.
2. Purchase agreement: you sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement with the developer. Ask to see all fees, the payment plan and the planned handover date.
3. Oqood: the purchase is entered in the interim register of the Dubai Land Department; the 4 percent registration fee is due at this point.
4. Payment plan: you pay in instalments according to construction progress into a protected escrow account.
5. Handover: after completion you inspect the unit, pay the final instalment and receive the title deed.

How your money is protected and what to look for in a developer is explained in our guide Buying off-plan in Dubai.

Running costs as an owner in Dubai South

After buying an apartment, these are the main ongoing costs:

• Service charges: for maintenance, security, pools and common areas, calculated by the size of your unit. The approved rates for each building are listed in the Service Charge Index of the Dubai Land Department.
• Electricity and water: via the utility DEWA; many buildings add a separate charge for district cooling.
• Housing fee: 5 percent of the annual rental value, billed through the DEWA account. It is paid by whoever lives in the home – so by your tenant if you let it.
• Ejari: every tenancy contract is registered; via the Dubai REST app this costs AED 177.75.
• Management: if you aren’t on site, a property manager handles letting and upkeep for a fee.

Unlike in many countries, there is no annual property tax in Dubai. All items are explained in our guide Buying costs in Dubai.

A visa through your property

With a property in Dubai South you may also be able to get a residence visa:

• Golden Visa: ten years of residence if your properties in Dubai are worth at least AED 2 million in total – also with a mortgage or, under certain conditions, off-plan.
• Investor visa: a shorter visa for owners who don’t reach the Golden Visa threshold.

The detailed requirements are explained in our guide Golden Visa with property.

Typical mistakes when buying in Dubai South

• Pricing in the airport already: Calculate with today’s rents, not those of 2035.
• Not checking the developer: The risk of default is higher in young areas.
• Ignoring flight paths: Being close to the airport also means noise.

Renting out

Today, tenants are mainly employees from logistics, aviation and Expo City, plus families on a small budget. Demand is likely to rise as the airport expands. Check the numbers with our rental yield calculator.

Pros and cons

Who Dubai South suits

Dubai South suits the portfolio investor with staying power and the tactician who wants to get in on a small budget with a payment plan.

Our verdict

Dubai South is the city’s biggest bet on the future. If you think long-term, choose a solid developer and don’t count on short-term gains, you can get in early on an area that is likely to change dramatically over the coming years.

Frequently asked questions

Updated: October 2026. This article describes the district in general terms. Prices, rents and service charges change all the time; for a specific property we check the current figures with you.