Abu Dhabi’s real estate market recorded transactions worth Dhs117 billion during the first six months of 2026, with both transaction value and volume rising sharply compared with the same period last year, according to official data released by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC).
The regulator said total transaction value increased by 112 per cent year-on-year, while the number of transactions rose by 61.7 per cent.
Sales growth
Sales transactions reached Dhs86.1 billion across 16,838 deals in the first half of 2026, marking a 163.7 per cent increase in value from a year earlier.
Mortgage transactions totalled Dhs26.7 billion through 8,876 deals, up more than 33 per cent in value. Musataha and long lease transactions reached Dhs4 billion, while gift transactions were valued at Dhs311.5 million.
Foreign investment
Foreign direct investment in Abu Dhabi’s property market climbed to Dhs13.8 billion during the first half of 2026, a 309 per cent increase compared with the same period last year. ADREC said the figure exceeded the total foreign direct investment recorded during the whole of 2025.
Non-resident investors from 116 nationalities invested in the emirate’s real estate market, up from 82 nationalities a year earlier. The United Kingdom, China, the Russian Federation, the United States, Germany and France were among the leading sources of foreign investment.
Investment zones open to buyers of all nationalities attracted Dhs75 billion in investments during the six-month period, up from Dhs26.7 billion in the same period last year.
Market expansion
During the first half of 2026, ADREC approved eight new investment zones, increasing the total across Abu Dhabi to 50. It also registered 28 new real estate projects, a 16 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.
The centre issued 2,040 licences for real estate professionals during the first half of the year, up 34 per cent year-on-year. The total number of licensed real estate brokers in Abu Dhabi reached 3,302.
“Investment decisions begin long before a transaction takes place. They begin with a clear understanding of the market, its direction and the rules that govern it. Our focus at ADREC is to provide that visibility from the outset through transparent regulation and reliable, up-to-date data, giving investors a stronger basis on which to assess opportunities and make long-term decisions,” said Rashed Al Omaira, Director General of ADREC. “As Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector evolves, what matters is not only how much it grows, but how it grows. This requires a regulatory environment that responds to changing needs while supporting the sector’s long-term direction.”
ADREC said its Madhmoun platform has issued more than 41,200 regulated real estate advertising permits since its launch, supporting greater transparency and improving the quality of property listings available to investors.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
