Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre records AED117bn in real estate transactions in H1 2026
The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) has reported that the total value of real estate transactions in the emirate reached AED117 billion during the first half of 2026. According to ADREC's verified official market data, transaction value increased by 112 per cent and transaction volume rose by 61.7 per cent compared with the same period last year.
Sales transactions accounted for AED86.1 billion across 16,838 transactions during the first half of 2026, representing a 163.7 per cent increase in value compared with the same period last year. Mortgage transactions reached AED26.7 billion through 8,876 transactions, increasing by over 33 per cent in value. Musataha and long lease transactions totalled AED4 billion, while gift transactions reached AED311.5 million[AA1] .
Foreign direct investment (FDI) reached AED13.8 billion during the first half of 2026, increasing by 309 per cent compared with the same period last year. The value recorded during the first six months of the year exceeded the total foreign direct investment recorded during the full year of 2025.
Non-resident investors from 116 nationalities invested in Abu Dhabi's real estate market during the first half of 2026, compared with 82 nationalities during the same period last year. The UK, China, the Russian Federation, the US, Germany and France ranked among the leading sources of foreign direct investment. Abu Dhabi's investment zones, which are open to ownership by investors of all nationalities, attracted total investment of AED75 billion during the first half of 2026, an increase of 181 per cent compared with AED26.7 billion in the same period last year.
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**.**
“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.”
During the first half of 2026, ADREC approved eight new investment zones, bringing the total number of investment zones across Abu Dhabi to 50. The centre also registered 28 new real estate projects, representing a 16 per cent increase compared with the same period last year, creating new opportunities for local and international investors across the emirate.
ADREC issued 2,040 licences for real estate professionals during the first half of the year, a 34 per cent increase compared with the same period last year. The total number of licensed real estate brokers in the emirate reached 3,302. The centre 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.