AED 117 billion in transactions and buyers from 116 countries. What the record half-year tells investors, and what it does not.
The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre reported AED 117 billion in property transactions for the first six months of 2026, up 112% on the same period of 2025. Here is how we read it.
What stands out
- Sales drove the growth. Sales transactions reached AED 86.1 billion, up 163.7%, while mortgage transactions grew a more modest 33.5%. Much of the buying is with cash.
- The buyer base is widening. Investors came from 116 nationalities, up from 82 a year earlier, led by the United Kingdom, China, Russia, the United States, Germany and France.
- Foreign money is accelerating. Foreign direct investment into property reached AED 13.8 billion, up 309%.
- More land is open to foreigners. Eight new investment zones were approved, bringing the total to 50.
What it does not tell you
Headline totals are pushed up by large off-plan launches and land deals. They do not tell you what a particular apartment will rent for, or how much supply is due in a given district. That is why we look at district yields and handover schedules before recommending anything.
Sources
- Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre, H1 2026 results, reported by WAM and Gulf News, July 2026
- Bayut Abu Dhabi rental market report, H1 2026