Abu Dhabi real estate sales jump 112pc as overseas investors pour in
Foreign capital from 116 nationalities boosts emirate’s property sector
ABU DHABI – Abu Dhabi's real estate market recorded transactions worth Dh117 billion during the first half of 2026, marking a sharp rise in activity as property sales, foreign investment and development projects all reached new milestones.
The latest figures released by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC), the regulator of the emirate's real estate sector, showed the total value of transactions increased by 112 percent compared with the same period in 2025.
The number of transactions also climbed by 61.7 percent, underlining continued momentum across the market and reinforcing Abu Dhabi's appeal as a global real estate investment destination.
Sales surge
Sales transactions dominated the market during the first six months of the year, with their value soaring by 163.7 percent year-on-year to Dh86.1 billion across 16,838 transactions.
The figures point to sustained end-user demand alongside a widening investor base. Mortgage activity also remained strong, with transactions worth Dh26.7 billion completed through 8,876 deals, representing annual growth of 33.5 percent.
Musataha and long-term lease transactions totalled around Dh4 billion during the period, while gift transactions reached Dh311.5 million.
Foreign inflows
ADREC also reported record levels of foreign direct investment (FDI), with overseas investment reaching Dh13.8 billion during the first half of 2026. The figure represents a 309 percent increase compared with the corresponding period last year.
According to the Centre, the value of foreign direct investment recorded during the first six months of 2026 exceeded the total achieved throughout the whole of 2025. It is also the highest level of FDI ever recorded during the first half of any year, reflecting growing international confidence in Abu Dhabi's property market.
The number of nationalities represented by non-resident foreign investors increased significantly to 116, compared with 82 during the same period in 2025. Investors from the United Kingdom, China, Russia, the United States, Germany and France ranked among the leading contributors to foreign investment.
Investment zones across Abu Dhabi, which allow ownership by investors of all nationalities, attracted Dh75 billion in investment during the first half of the year. That represented a 181 percent increase from Dh26.7 billion recorded in the same period last year.
Market expansion
Commenting on the latest results, Rashed Al Omaira, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre, said investment decisions begin well before a transaction takes place and depend on clear market information, reliable data and transparent regulation.
He said ADREC remains focused on providing investors with continuously updated market information and a transparent regulatory framework that enables long-term investment decisions. Al Omaira added that the real measure of success lies not only in the scale of market growth but also in ensuring that development remains aligned with Abu Dhabi's long-term strategic objectives.
As part of efforts to support sustainable market expansion, ADREC approved eight new investment zones during the first half of 2026, bringing the total number of investment zones across the emirate to 50.
The Centre also registered 28 new real estate projects during the period, an increase of 16 percent compared with the first half of 2025, highlighting continued development activity and expanding investment opportunities for local and international buyers.
Digital progress
Growth was also evident across the real estate profession. ADREC issued 2,040 licences for real estate professions during the first half of the year, representing annual growth of 34 percent. The total number of licensed real estate brokers in Abu Dhabi reached 3,302.
The Centre also continued expanding its digital services to improve transparency and strengthen confidence across the property market. Since its launch, the Madhmoun platform has facilitated the issuance of more than 41,200 permits for real estate advertisements, supporting the availability of credible property information while enhancing trust among investors and other market participants through greater transparency.