Abu Dhabi's real estate market continues to impress experts with its remarkable momentum. According to the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC), the emirate's property regulator, the total value of real estate transactions reached AED 117 billion in the first half of 2026. This represents an impressive 112% increase compared with the same period last year. The number of transactions also rose by 61.7%, confirming not only higher property values but also a genuine expansion of the investor base and increased market activity.
The emirate is recording the strongest official growth among the UAE's major markets, outperforming even traditionally more dynamic Dubai. This momentum is largely driven by the launch of major new developments and the rapid expansion of island communities, which are attracting both end-users and institutional investors.
Sales transactions and mortgages
Property sales accounted for the largest share of activity. The total value of sales transactions surged by 163.7% to AED 86.1 billion, with 16,838 transactions completed. This reflects strong genuine demand and growing confidence among end-buyers. Mortgage lending also recorded solid growth, with the value of mortgage transactions increasing by 33.5% to AED 26.7 billion across 8,876 deals.
This rapid growth is driven not only by the attractiveness of the properties themselves but also by a favourable macroeconomic environment. The UAE has no personal income tax and no capital gains tax on property sales, making real estate investment in the emirate one of the most attractive in the world. In addition, Abu Dhabi offers more conservative investors more predictable capital appreciation than Dubai, along with a lower entry threshold for premium developments.
Foreign investment
Particularly noteworthy is the growth in foreign direct investment (FDI). During the first six months of 2026, FDI in Abu Dhabi's real estate market reached AED 13.8 billion, a 309% increase compared with the first half of 2025. Remarkably, this figure has already exceeded the total FDI recorded throughout the whole of 2025, setting a new all-time record for the first half of any year. This clearly demonstrates rising confidence among international investors and the growing appeal of Abu Dhabi's property market.
The diversity of investors has also expanded significantly, with the number of nationalities represented among non-resident property investors increasing from 82 to 116. This further confirms Abu Dhabi's emergence as a global investment hub. The largest sources of foreign direct investment were the United Kingdom, China, Russia, the United States, Germany, and France. Growing interest from investors in these countries is a direct result of the emirate's open investment policies, including the increasingly accessible Golden Visa programme for investors.
Investment zones and infrastructure for growth
Abu Dhabi's investment zones, where property can be purchased by investors of all nationalities, remain the key driver of capital inflows. During the first half of 2026, these zones attracted AED 75 billion in investment, up 181% from AED 26.7 billion during the same period last year. This reflects the government's strategic commitment to creating transparent and investor-friendly conditions for international capital.
Institutional improvements have also contributed to market growth. In the first half of 2026, the Centre approved eight new investment zones, bringing the total to 50, while also registering 28 new real estate projects. The professional sector continues to expand, with the number of real estate licences increasing by 34% to 2,040 and the number of licensed brokers reaching 3,302. Since its launch, the Madhmoun platform has issued more than 41,200 property advertising permits, significantly improving the quality and reliability of market information.
Abu Dhabi's real estate market in 2026 demonstrates how effective regulation, transparent data, and a long-term strategic vision can transform a region into one of the world's most attractive destinations for global investment.