Abu Dhabi’s property market delivered record growth during the first half of 2026. Real estate transactions reached 117 billion dirhams, or about $31.9 billion, marking a 112 percent increase compared with the same period last year.
The latest figures show strong demand across the market. More buyers entered the sector, while higher foreign investment and new development projects helped boost overall activity. The results also strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as one of the leading real estate investment destinations in the region.
The number of real estate transactions also increased during the first six months of the year. Total deals rose by 61.7 percent compared with the first half of 2025. The steady rise reflects growing confidence among both local and international investors.
Property sales remained the largest contributor to market activity. Sales transactions reached 86.1 billion dirhams through 16,838 completed deals. The value of sales climbed by 163.7 percent compared with the same period last year.
The strong increase in sales suggests that demand for homes, commercial buildings, and investment properties remained healthy throughout the first half of the year. A larger investor base also supported the market’s rapid expansion.
Mortgage activity continued to grow as well. Mortgage transactions reached 26.7 billion dirhams across 8,876 deals. This represented annual growth of 33.5 percent, showing that financing remained an important part of the property market.
Other transaction types also contributed to the market. Musataha agreements and long-term lease transactions totaled around 4 billion dirhams during the first half of the year. Gift transactions added another 311.5 million dirhams.
Foreign investment reached a new milestone during the reporting period. Foreign direct investment in Abu Dhabi’s property market climbed to 13.8 billion dirhams. That marked a 309 percent increase compared with the same period in 2025.
The first-half foreign investment total also exceeded the amount recorded during the entire 2025 calendar year. It became the highest level of foreign direct investment ever recorded during the first six months of a year in Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector.
The strong rise in overseas investment reflects growing confidence in the emirate’s property market. Investors continue to view Abu Dhabi as a stable location that offers long-term opportunities supported by clear regulations and expanding economic activity.
The market also attracted buyers from more countries than before. Non-resident investors from 116 nationalities participated during the first half of 2026. During the same period last year, the number stood at 82 nationalities.
The largest sources of foreign investment included the United Kingdom, China, Russia, the United States, Germany, and France. Interest from these major economies highlights Abu Dhabi’s growing appeal in the global property market.
Investment zones also experienced strong growth. These zones allow investors from all nationalities to own property. During the first half of 2026, they attracted investments worth 75 billion dirhams. That represented an increase of 181 percent compared with the same period last year.
Authorities continued expanding investment opportunities across the emirate. Eight new investment zones received approval during the first half of the year. This increased the total number of investment zones in Abu Dhabi to 50.
Real estate development also remained active. A total of 28 new property projects were registered during the first six months of 2026. That represented annual growth of 16 percent and added more choices for buyers and investors.
The professional real estate sector expanded alongside market growth. Authorities issued 2,040 new licenses for real estate professionals during the first half of the year. This marked a 34 percent increase compared with one year earlier.
The total number of licensed real estate brokers in Abu Dhabi has now reached 3,302. The growing number of professionals is expected to support rising demand while improving services across the market.
Officials also continued efforts to strengthen transparency through digital services. The Madhmoun platform has now issued more than 41,200 permits for regulated real estate advertisements since its launch. The platform helps improve the quality and accuracy of property listings while increasing confidence among investors and buyers.
The strong first-half results show that Abu Dhabi’s real estate market continues to grow across several areas. Rising property sales, record foreign investment, expanding investment zones, new development projects, and stronger market transparency are helping build a stable and attractive environment for long-term investment while supporting the emirate’s continued economic growth.
