From Dubai to Ajman: Inside UAE’s property surge of 2026
Strong investor confidence drives unprecedented expansion across national property landscape
DUBAI – The UAE real estate sector delivered a record-breaking performance in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting sustained investor confidence and continued demand across residential, commercial, and mixed-use segments.
Market activity expanded significantly across all major emirates, supported by strong economic fundamentals and increasing international participation. Official data highlights a broad-based surge in transactions, values, and investor numbers, reinforcing the country’s position as a leading global property hub.
Growth momentum remained consistent across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ajman, with each emirate reporting notable gains in both volume and value of real estate activity.
Dubai
Dubai continued to anchor the UAE’s property market performance with robust transactional activity in Q1 2026. The Dubai Land Department recorded 718,160 real estate transactions, including 60,303 disposals, representing a 6 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2025.
The total value of transactions climbed to Dh252 billion, reflecting a 31 percent rise year-on-year. Investment activity also strengthened, with 57,744 investments recorded, up 7 percent, carrying a combined value of Dh173 billion. The emirate’s investor base expanded further to 48,448 investors, marking an 8 per cent increase, including 29,312 new investors, a rise of 14 percent compared to Q1 2025.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi posted its strongest quarterly real estate performance on record, driven by a sharp increase in transaction volumes and values. According to the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC), total real estate transactions surged 160.7 percent to Dh66 billion, compared to Dh25.31 billion in the same quarter last year.
The emirate registered more than 13,518 transactions, up from 6,896 in Q1 2025. This substantial increase underscores accelerating demand and reinforces Abu Dhabi’s growing status as a regional and international investment destination, supported by a diversified property portfolio and continued infrastructure expansion.
Sharjah
Sharjah’s property market maintained strong upward momentum, recording a total trading volume of Dh18.5 billion in Q1 2026, compared to Dh13.2 billion in the same period of 2025, marking a 40.7 percent increase.
The Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department reported 29,235 transactions, an 18.9 percent rise year-on-year. Investor diversity also expanded significantly, with participation rising to 113 nationalities compared to 97 in 2025.
UAE nationals accounted for around Dh9 billion across 10,099 properties. Investors from GCC countries, Arab nations, and other foreign markets contributed approximately Dh9.5 billion across 19,136 properties, highlighting Sharjah’s widening international appeal.
Ajman
Ajman’s real estate sector recorded steady growth, reflecting continued investor interest in smaller but high-potential markets. Total real estate transactions reached Dh6.22 billion in Q1 2026, based on 3,890 transactions, marking a 12 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Trading volume stood at Dh4.24 billion across 3,128 transactions, underscoring stable market activity and sustained demand across residential and investment segments. The emirate’s performance reflects its competitive pricing, accessibility, and growing attractiveness to both regional and international buyers.