RIYADH: Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector posted strong growth in the first half of this year, reaching 117 billion dirhams ($31.9 billion), up 112 percent year on year, official data showed.
In a press statement, the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Center revealed that transaction volume in the emirate rose by 61.7 percent in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
Foreign direct investment in Abu Dhabi’s real estate market also posted strong growth, surging 309 percent to 13.8 billion dirhams in the first half, surpassing the total FDI figure recorded for the whole of 2025.
The latest figures highlight Abu Dhabi’s growing appeal as a regional investment destination, supported by policies aimed at expanding foreign ownership, strengthening market transparency, and accelerating private sector growth.
Rashed Al Omaira, director general of ADREC, said: “Investment decisions begin long before a transaction takes place. They begin with a clear understanding of the market, its direction and the rules that govern it. Our focus at ADREC is to provide that visibility from the outset through transparent regulation and reliable, up-to-date data, giving investors a stronger basis on which to assess opportunities and make long-term decisions.”
He added: “As Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector evolves, what matters is not only how much it grows, but how it grows. This requires a regulatory environment that responds to changing needs while supporting the sector’s long-term direction.”
In terms of FDI flows, non-resident investors from 116 nationalities participated, up from 82 nationalities in the same period last year.
Leading source countries included the UK, China, and Russia, along with the US, Germany, and France.
Abu Dhabi’s investment zones, open to ownership by investors of all nationalities, attracted 75 billion dirhams in the first half of this year, up 181 percent compared with the same period in 2025.
Sales drive growth
Sales transactions led the momentum in Abu Dhabi during the first half, accounting for 86.1 billion dirhams across 16,838 deals, up 163.7 percent in value.
Mortgage transactions added 26.7 billion dirhams through 8,876 deals, up 33.5 percent year on year in value.
Musataha and long lease transactions totaled 4 billion dirhams, while gift transactions reached 311.5 million dirhams.
New projects expand market
ADREC further said it had approved eight new investment zones during the first half, bringing the total number of such zones across Abu Dhabi to 50.
The center also registered 28 new real estate projects, representing a 16 percent increase year on year, further expanding opportunities for both local and international investors.
ADREC issued 2,040 licenses for real estate professionals in the first half of this year, up 34 percent from the same period in 2025. The total number of licensed real estate brokers in the emirate now stands at 3,302.
“The center continued to advance initiatives that support a more transparent and data-driven real estate market. Since its launch, Madhmoun has facilitated the issuance of more than 41,200 regulated real estate advertising permits, helping improve the quality of market information and giving investors greater confidence in the listings they rely on,” the statement concluded.
