Dubai registered about 104 new real estate projects worth more than AED 100 billion in the first half of 2026, 52% more by value than a year earlier, according to figures shared by the Dubai Land Department at the Rise Summit 2026.
01The figures
| Dubai, January to June 2026 | |
|---|---|
| New projects | about 104 |
| Value | more than AED 100bn, up 52% |
| Area covered | about 1 million sq m, double a year earlier |
| New homes added | more than 24,000, up 36% |
Dubai Land Department, as reported on 14 October 2026.
The count has kept rising since June. The department said it now stands at more than 150 projects, with a further announcement expected.
For the full year 2025, Dubai recorded AED 917 billion of real estate transactions across more than 270,000 deals, and more than 1 million rental contracts worth about AED 100 billion.
02First-time buyers and faster contracts
- First-Time Home Buyer initiative: more than 3,200 buyers used it in its first year, in deals worth AED 5 billion. The department may consider opening it to non-residents.
- Initial sale contracts: a new AI-assisted service, launched last month, lets developers and buyers get the initial sale contract for an off-plan purchase in minutes instead of days.
- Promotion abroad: roadshows in India and a broker conference in the United States are planned.
03What it means if you are buying
More launches mean more choice, and more homes to compete with later. 24,000 homes in six months adds to the pipeline due in 2027 to 2030. See what is handing over in 2027 and 2028.
The initial sale contract is the document that registers your purchase. A faster process means less time between paying a booking amount and holding a registered contract. Our guide to how to buy off-plan property in Dubai walks through each step.
Check the project is registered before you pay. Every new project must be registered with the Dubai Land Department and have its own escrow account. See how to check an off-plan project and developer.
For the latest sales and rents, see Dubai off-plan sales, Q3 2026 and Dubai rents in Q3.
SourcesWhere this story comes from.
Sources
- Khaleej Times: Dubai real estate projects surge 52% to Dh100 billion in the first half of 2026, 14 October 2026
Corrections
- No corrections to this story. If something has changed or is wrong, tell us and we will correct it and log the change here.
14 Oct 2026, 21:15 GST · Reported by OffPlan Insider Newsdesk, checked against the developer's own material before publication.
