Abu Dhabi property deals reach AED 171.3bn in nine months of 2026, up 76%, led by Al Reem Island

The figures come from the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) and were released on 7 November. They cover January to the end of September.

Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre, 7 November 2026.

Sales drove most of the growth. Their value more than doubled, and the number of sales rose by 49.2%. Mortgage deals rose 13.2% in number.

Gifted property also rose, to 76 transactions worth AED 0.44 billion. Musataha and long-lease deals fell 18.7% in number, even as their value grew.

Al Reem Island recorded the highest transaction value of any district, at AED 29.86 billion. Hudayriyat Island came close behind.

Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre, 7 November 2026.

ADREC said six districts will account for 77% of the new supply coming to market up to 2030. They are Saadiyat Island, Al Reem Island, Yas Island, Zayed City, Khalifa City and Al Hudayriyat Island.

Foreign investment in Abu Dhabi's investment zones rose 131% to AED 86.11 billion. That is 81% of all investment value in those zones, where foreign buyers can own property.

Direct investment by non-resident individuals reached AED 17.22 billion. That is more than double the AED 8.2 billion recorded for the whole of 2025.

Buyers came from 121 nationalities. By value, the leading countries were the United Kingdom, China, Russia, the United States, France and Germany.

ADREC registered 54 new real estate development projects in the nine months. It also issued 3,677 licences to real estate professionals, up 32%.

A new mandatory licensing course for brokers, the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Broker Transformation Course, has replaced the earlier broker course. ADREC said it covers regulation, advice to clients and professional conduct.

Separately, JLL's 2026 Global Real Estate Transparency Index named Abu Dhabi the world's most improved market. It moved up eight places to 33rd and into the "Transparent" tier, as our earlier story explains.

The districts with the most deals are also where most new homes are planned. Off-plan projects on sale on Al Reem Island include The Artery Residences. On Hudayriyat Island there is Hudayriyat Golf Estates, and on Yas Island Sama Yas.

Check the basics before you pay. Confirm that the project is registered with ADREC and that your payments go to the project's escrow account. Our ADREC guide shows how to check a project, and our Abu Dhabi off-plan guide covers the buying steps.

If you are buying from overseas, our guide to buying property in Abu Dhabi as a foreigner explains where you can own. For more on Saadiyat, see our Saadiyat Island buyer's guide.