Abu Dhabi’s real estate market posted a powerful first half of 2026, with total property transactions reaching 117 billion dirhams, according to the latest market data issued by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC), the authority responsible for regulating the real estate sector in the emirate. The figure represents growth of 112% compared with the same period in 2025, while the number of transactions rose by 61.7%, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global destination for real estate investment.
Sales lead the market activity
Sales transactions dominated the sector in the first six months of the year, surging by 163.7% to 86.1 billion dirhams through 16,838 transactions, compared with the same period last year. The performance points to sustained underlying demand and a broader base of investors entering the market.
Mortgage transactions also recorded notable growth, rising 33.5% to 26.7 billion dirhams across 8,876 transactions. Meanwhile, usufruct and long-term lease transactions reached about 4 billion dirhams, while gift transactions totalled 311.5 million dirhams.
Foreign direct investment reaches record first-half level
ADREC’s data also highlighted a sharp increase in foreign direct investment, which stood at 13.8 billion dirhams in the first half of 2026, up 309% from the same period last year. The value of foreign direct investment recorded in the first six months of the year exceeded the total achieved during all of 2025, marking the highest level ever registered for foreign direct investment in the first half of a year and reflecting growing international investor confidence and the attractiveness of Abu Dhabi’s real estate market.
More nationalities enter the market
The number of nationalities among non-resident foreign investors in Abu Dhabi’s real estate market rose to 116 in the first half of the year, compared with 82 nationalities during the same period last year. The United Kingdom, China, Russia, the United States, Germany and France were among the leading source markets for foreign direct investment.
Investment zones open to ownership by investors of all nationalities in Abu Dhabi recorded total investments of 75 billion dirhams in the first half of 2026, an increase of 181% compared with 26.7 billion dirhams in the same period last year.