The Abu Dhabi real estate market demonstrated sharp growth in 2026. In the first nine months, the total value of transactions reached 171.26 billion dirhams (about $46.6 billion), an increase of 76.1% compared to the same period last year. Simultaneously, sales volumes, mortgage lending, and foreign investments grew.

These data were published on November 7 by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) — the regulatory body for the emirate's real estate market.

Abu Dhabi Real Estate Market: 171 Billion AED in Nine Months

From January to September 2026, Abu Dhabi registered 38,483 real estate transactions, which is 32.8% more than a year earlier.

In the same period of 2025, 28,977 transactions were conducted with a total value of 97.19 billion AED.

Thus, the value of transactions grew significantly faster than their number.

Positive dynamics were recorded in all major categories of operations, including real estate sales and mortgage lending.

Real Estate Sales Increased by 105%

Sales transactions made the largest contribution to the overall result.

In nine months, the emirate registered 23,749 transactions worth 119.33 billion AED.

Compared to the same period in 2025:

• Sales value increased by 105%.

• Number of transactions grew by 49.2%.

A year earlier, the market recorded 15,910 sales transactions worth 58.20 billion AED.

The mortgage segment also showed growth. During the reporting period, 14,390 mortgage operations worth 45.92 billion AED were registered.

Their total value increased by 30.2%, and their number by 13.2%.

Foreign Real Estate Investments Increased by 131%

One of the most notable indicators was the inflow of foreign capital.

The volume of foreign investments in Abu Dhabi's investment zones reached 86.11 billion AED, an increase of 131% year-on-year.

Foreign capital accounted for 81% of the total investment value in these zones.

ADREC separately highlighted direct foreign investments by individuals who are not UAE residents.

In the nine months of 2026, their volume amounted to 17.22 billion AED — more than double the result for the entire year 2025, when the figure reached 8.2 billion AED.

Investors of 121 nationalities participated in the operations.

The largest sources of investment by value were the UK, China, Russia, USA, France, and Germany.

Which Abu Dhabi Areas Attracted the Most Capital

The island areas of the emirate demonstrated the highest transaction values.

Al Reem Island was the leader, where the volume of operations reached 29.86 billion AED.

Al Hudayriyat Island took the second position with a result of 28.62 billion AED.

Next were:

• Al Saadiyat Island — 18.69 billion AED.

• Yas Island — 13.4 billion AED.

• Zayed City — 5.36 billion AED.

These indicators reflect the cumulative value of registered transactions in the respective locations, not the change in prices for individual properties.

Where Most New Real Estate Will Appear by 2030

According to ADREC forecasts, 77% of the additional real estate supply by 2030 will be concentrated in six areas of Abu Dhabi.

These include Al Saadiyat Island, Al Reem Island, Yas Island, Zayed City, Khalifa City, and Al Hudayriyat Island.

These territories are expected to provide the main part of the supply increase in the coming years.

However, the forecast in the published news does not contain the exact number of new properties for each area.

54 New Development Projects Registered in Abu Dhabi

In the first nine months of 2026, the regulator registered 54 new real estate projects.

In addition, 3,677 licenses were issued to real estate market professionals, which is 32% more than in the same period last year.

Growth was also noted in other categories of operations.

The number of gift transactions increased by 145% — to 76, and their value reached 440 million AED.

Operations for Musataha land use rights and long-term leases amounted to 268 transactions worth 5.57 billion AED. Their value increased by 52.9%, despite a 18.7% reduction in the number of operations.

What the Growth of the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Market Means

ADREC CEO Rashed Al Omeira noted that the scale of investments reflects the long-term interest of buyers and businesses in the emirate's development.

According to him, market participants expect timely project implementation, quality property management, and the creation of comfortable residential communities.

The regulator's task is to ensure appropriate market operating rules at all stages, from property sales to their management after transfer to owners.

The results for January — September 2026 show a significant increase in activity in the Abu Dhabi real estate market, primarily in the sales and foreign investment segments.

However, the growth in the total value of transactions should not be equated with a similar increase in housing prices: these indicators reflect different market characteristics.

UAE Real Estate Continues to Attract International Investors

In nine months, Abu Dhabi recorded 171.26 billion AED in transactions, a 105% increase in sales, and participation from investors from 121 countries.

At the same time, the emirate is expanding its development activity: dozens of new projects have been registered, and the main part of future supply will be concentrated in six key areas.

For buyers, this data serves as a guide when studying the market, but choosing real estate requires analyzing a specific property, its cost, and acquisition conditions.