BUYER & SELLER GUIDES

Abu Dhabi Property Market 2026: Transactions, Prices and Top Areas

Abu Dhabi’s property market in 2026 is running well ahead of a record 2025. ADREC reported AED 117bn of transactions in H1 2026, up 112% year on year, and AED 155bn from January to August, already above the AED 142bn recorded for all of 2025. Foreign direct investment reached AED 13.8bn in H1 2026, and off-plan deals made up 89% of residential sales value.

Last reviewed 8 October 2026 by the ODZ Properties advisory team

AT A GLANCE

2025 transactions (ADREC): AED 142bn, up 44%
H1 2026 transactions (ADREC): AED 117bn, up 112%
January–August 2026 (ADREC): AED 155bn
FDI, H1 2026: AED 13.8bn, up 309%
Off-plan share, H1 2026: 89% of residential sales value
Apartment prices, Q2 2026 (JLL): Up 19.4% year on year
Top area, H1 2026: Hudayriyat Island, AED 19bn

How did the Abu Dhabi property market perform in 2025?

ADREC reported AED 142bn of real estate transactions for 2025, up 44% on 2024, from 42,814 transactions, up 52% (released 20 February 2026). Sales and purchases accounted for AED 99.4bn across 25,604 deals, and mortgages for AED 42.7bn across 17,210 deals. Foreign direct investment reached AED 8.2bn in 2025, up 13%, from more than 100 nationalities. Activity in investment zones, where foreigners can buy freehold, was AED 54.13bn, up 65%, and 56 new projects were registered. On prices, ValuStrat’s Q2 2025 index showed values up 8.1% year on year, with villas up 10.1% and apartments up 5.9%.

What are the Abu Dhabi property market figures for 2026 so far?

Q1 2026 alone recorded AED 66bn from more than 13,518 transactions, up 160.7% on Q1 2025. ADREC’s H1 2026 total was AED 117bn, up 112% year on year, with volume up 61.7% (July 2026). Sales accounted for AED 86.1bn from 16,838 deals, mortgages AED 26.7bn from 8,876 deals, and musataha and long lease AED 4bn. By the end of August 2026, the year-to-date total had reached AED 155bn, already above the whole of 2025 (reported 3 September 2026). The 12 months to 30 June 2026 came to about AED 204bn. As of 8 October 2026, ADREC had not released Q3 or nine-month figures.

Are Abu Dhabi property prices rising in 2026?

Yes, according to consultancy data. JLL figures for Q2 2026, reported in September 2026, show apartment prices up 19.4% and townhouse prices up 11.2% year on year. That follows the 8.1% annual rise ValuStrat recorded in Q2 2025. ADREC does not publish an official price-growth percentage in its transaction releases, so price movements come from private indices that differ in method and coverage. Asking prices on portals are a further, separate measure. When comparing figures, check which index, which property type and which quarter each refers to.

Who is buying property in Abu Dhabi?

International demand has grown sharply. Foreign direct investment into Abu Dhabi real estate reached AED 13.8bn in H1 2026, up 309% and more than the whole of 2025, with buyers from 116 nationalities (ADREC, July 2026). Investment zones, the areas open to foreign freehold, recorded AED 75bn of activity in H1 2026. The supply side has expanded to match. ADREC approved eight new investment zones in H1 2026, bringing the total to 50, and the zones hold about 72,000 units, more than 22% of the emirate’s residential stock.

Which areas recorded the most sales in H1 2026?

Hudayriyat Island led for a second consecutive period with AED 19bn of residential sales, about 27% of the total. Saadiyat Island followed with AED 13.3bn, then Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands together with AED 10.5bn, and Yas Island with AED 7.3bn (WAM-reported figures, 21 August 2026). The ranking reflects the off-plan pipeline as much as established demand. Off-plan deals made up 89% of residential sales value in H1 2026, and Hudayriyat’s stock is mainly off-plan villas and plots. Al Reem, by contrast, has the largest existing stock of any investment zone, about 27,500 units.

What does the 2026 market mean for buyers and sellers?

For buyers, strong transaction growth and a high off-plan share mean more choice but also more need for discipline. Developer credibility, payment plans and the supply due in each district matter more when so much of the market is selling homes that do not yet exist. Rising prices also make it more important to buy on comparable evidence rather than momentum. For sellers of ready property, a market where most new sales are off-plan can favour finished homes that buyers can occupy or let immediately. Pricing still needs to reflect real comparable transactions, not headline growth figures.

How ODZ helps clients read the Abu Dhabi market

Headline numbers describe the whole emirate; decisions are made on a single building or community. ODZ translates market data into district-level judgements on pricing, supply, rental demand and exit depth, and states where each figure comes from and when. Whether you are deciding when to buy, what to pay or how to price a sale, we base our advice on dated evidence rather than market sentiment.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Abu Dhabi property market in 2026?

ADREC reported AED 117bn of real estate transactions in H1 2026, up 112% year on year, and AED 155bn from January to August 2026. That year-to-date total already exceeded the AED 142bn recorded for the whole of 2025. ADREC had not released Q3 2026 figures as of 8 October 2026.

Are Abu Dhabi property prices going up?

Consultancy data says yes. JLL figures for Q2 2026 show apartment prices up 19.4% and townhouse prices up 11.2% year on year. ValuStrat’s Q2 2025 index had risen 8.1% year on year. ADREC does not publish an official price-growth percentage in its transaction releases, so figures vary by index.

What share of Abu Dhabi property sales are off-plan?

Off-plan deals accounted for 89% of residential sales value in H1 2026, according to ADREC figures reported in September 2026. Hudayriyat Island, the top area for residential sales in H1 2026 with AED 19bn, is made up mainly of off-plan villas and plots.

Which area of Abu Dhabi had the most property sales in 2026?

Hudayriyat Island, with AED 19bn of residential sales in H1 2026, about 27% of the total and the top position for a second consecutive period. Saadiyat Island was second with AED 13.3bn, followed by Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands together with AED 10.5bn and Yas Island with AED 7.3bn.

How much foreign investment is going into Abu Dhabi property?

Foreign direct investment in Abu Dhabi real estate reached AED 13.8bn in H1 2026, up 309% year on year and more than the AED 8.2bn recorded for all of 2025. Buyers came from 116 nationalities. Activity in investment zones, where foreigners can own freehold, totalled AED 75bn in the same period.

Sources

General information, not legal or financial advice. Fees and rules change — confirm current requirements with ADREC or speak with an advisor before you commit.