Abu Dhabi property market H1 2026: what the ADREC numbers say

Abu Dhabi just had the biggest first half in its property history. The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) recorded AED 117 billion of real estate transactions between January and June 2026, up 112% on the same period last year. Here is what sits behind that headline, and what it means if you are buying.

1. Sales more than doubled

Sales alone reached AED 86.1 billion across 16,838 transactions, up 163.7% in value. Residential units made up AED 70.4 billion of that, against AED 25.3 billion in H1 2025. Mortgages added another AED 26.7 billion across 8,876 transactions.

2. Off-plan is the market

Off-plan made up 89% of residential sales value and 82% of deals. The ten largest developers took 90% of off-plan primary sales, about AED 51 billion. In practice, that means most buyers in Abu Dhabi today are buying from a payment plan, not a finished building.

3. Prices and rents are rising together

ADREC's repeat-sales index shows prices up 20% year on year for apartments and 12% for villas. New-lease rents rose 17% for apartments and 9% for villas, and faster inside the investment zones: 21% and 16%.

One thing to note for landlords: from June 2026 the permitted rent increase on renewals was set at 0% until further notice. Rental growth now shows up mainly on new leases, not renewals.

4. Foreign money is pouring in

Foreign direct investment into Abu Dhabi real estate reached AED 13.8 billion, up 309%, already more than all of 2025. Non-resident buyers came from 116 nationalities, up from 82, led by the UK, China, Russia, the US, Germany and France. Resident expats and overseas buyers together made up 70% of residential sales value.

5. Four districts did most of the work

Together these four supplied about two-thirds of all sales. Reem leads on volume because it is the most liquid apartment market in the city. Hudayriyat leads on value because its villas start where most other areas end.

6. Supply is coming, but slowly

Abu Dhabi has about 409,000 homes today. ADREC projects around 71,000 more by 2030, peaking at roughly 21,800 units in 2028. Six districts will deliver 77% of that pipeline: Saadiyat, Al Reem, Yas, Zayed City, Khalifa City and Hudayriyat. If you are buying in one of these, check what is handing over near you in the same year as your unit.

The takeaway

Demand is broad, international and still growing, and prices are rising alongside rents rather than ahead of them. The opportunity is real, but area choice matters: each district suits a different strategy. My area guides score all 14 major areas for Airbnb, long-term rental, appreciation and selling before handover.

Keep reading