Abu Dhabi Property Deals Hit Dh117B in H1 2026

Abu Dhabi’s property market opened 2026 with striking numbers. Real estate transactions reached Dh117 billion during the first six months, according to ADREC, the emirate’s real estate regulator. That represents a 112 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2025. The number of transactions also rose by 61.7 per cent.

Big totals often make property news sound more dramatic than it feels on the ground. But this increase is not coming from one narrow corner of the market. Sales, mortgages, foreign investment, new projects and professional licences all moved upward during the period. It was broad, not isolated.

Sales transactions led the market, climbing 163.7 per cent year on year to Dh86.1 billion. A total of 16,838 sales were recorded during the first half of 2026.

That matters because sales activity is a clearer sign of buyer commitment than market enquiries or launch-day interest. People were not simply browsing brochures or registering their names. Transactions were being completed across a market that continues to attract a wider pool of investors.

Mortgage activity also increased, though at a calmer pace. Mortgage transactions rose 33.5 per cent to Dh26.7 billion across 8,876 deals. Musataha and long-term lease transactions were valued at about Dh4 billion, while gift transactions were around Dh311.5 million.

The mix is worth noticing. Cash-rich sales may dominate the headlines, but the mortgage figure shows that financed purchases remain a substantial part of Abu Dhabi’s market.

Foreign direct investment in Abu Dhabi real estate reached Dh13.8 billion during the first half of 2026. That was 309 per cent higher than in the same period of 2025.

More strikingly, foreign direct investment during these six months exceeded the total recorded throughout 2025. ADREC described it as the highest foreign investment level ever registered for a first-half period.

The investor base also became more varied. Non-resident buyers represented 116 nationalities, up from 82 nationalities during the first half of 2025. The United Kingdom, Russia, France, the United States, China, and Germany were among the leading sources of foreign direct investment.

This does not mean every overseas buyer is chasing the same apartment or expecting a quick resale. Abu Dhabi attracts end users, long-term landlords, institutional investors, and buyers looking for a base in the UAE.

Abu Dhabi’s investment zones, where buyers of all nationalities can own property, attracted Dh75 billion during the first half of the year. That was an increase of 181 per cent from Dh26.7 billion in the same period of 2025.

ADREC approved eight new investment zones during the period, taking the emirate’s total to 50. The expansion gives international buyers more locations to consider, but it also puts pressure on developers and brokers to explain the differences between projects properly. A sea view, a branded lobby and a payment plan are not substitutes for understanding location, service charges and delivery risk.

The Centre registered 28 new real estate projects in the first half of 2026, a 16 per cent annual increase. That indicates continued development activity and a larger pipeline of opportunities for UAE and overseas investors.

Growth was also visible behind the transactions. ADREC issued 2,040 licences for real estate professionals during the first half, up 34 per cent annually. Abu Dhabi now has 3,302 licensed real estate brokers.

The Madhmoun platform has issued more than 41,200 permits for property advertisements since its launch. The system is intended to improve the reliability of listings and reduce the confusion created by duplicated, outdated, or poorly verified advertisements. Anyone who has called about a property only to hear that it “just went” will understand why this matters.

As per Rashed Al Omaira, the Director-General of ADREC, investment decisions begin long before a transaction is even completed, with investors needing a clear view of market trends and regulations. He stressed the role of transparent rules and regularly updated data in helping people make long-term decisions.

Dh117 billion is a major first-half result, and the increases across sales, foreign investment and investment zones show that Abu Dhabi is gaining more international attention. Still, rapid growth should not make buyers careless.

A rising market can reward good decisions and hide weak ones for a while. Abu Dhabi’s latest figures show scale, confidence and expanding access. They also make accurate data, licensed advice and careful project selection more important, not less.

Reference with Thanks: gulfnews.com