Abu Dhabi’s property market has just posted its strongest nine months on record. New figures from the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) show AED 171.26 billion in real estate transactions between January and September 2026, up 76.1% on the same period last year. Here is what the Q3 2026 numbers say, where buyers are spending and what it means if you are planning to buy.
The Headline Numbers: January to September 2026
ADREC recorded 38,483 real estate transactions in the first nine months of 2026, up 32.8% year on year. Sales led the growth, more than doubling in value.
| Indicator (Jan to Sep 2026) | Value | Change vs 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Total transaction value | AED 171.26 billion | +76.1% |
| Number of transactions | 38,483 | +32.8% |
| Sales | 23,749 deals worth AED 119.33 billion | Value +105% |
| Mortgages | 14,390 deals worth AED 45.92 billion | Value +30.2% |
| New development projects registered | 54 | – |
With AED 117 billion recorded in the first half of the year, the third quarter alone added roughly AED 54 billion, which shows the momentum carried through the summer months.
Where Buyers Are Spending: The Top 5 Areas
Five districts captured most of the money spent in 2026. Al Reem Island took first place by value, with Al Hudayriyat Island close behind.
| Rank | Area | Transaction value (Jan to Sep 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al Reem Island | AED 29.86 billion |
| 2 | Al Hudayriyat Island | AED 28.62 billion |
| 3 | Saadiyat Island | AED 18.69 billion |
| 4 | Yas Island | AED 13.4 billion |
| 5 | Zayed City | AED 5.36 billion |
The same names appear in ADREC’s supply outlook: Saadiyat, Reem, Yas, Zayed City, Khalifa City and Hudayriyat are expected to deliver 77% of new homes through 2030. Not sure which island suits you? Read our Yas Island vs Saadiyat Island comparison.
Foreign Investors Keep Arriving
- AED 86.11 billion of foreign investment went into Abu Dhabi’s investment zones, up 131% and 81% of all investment value in those zones.
- Non-resident individuals invested AED 17.22 billion, more than double their total for the whole of 2025.
- Buyers came from 121 nationalities, led by the UK, China, Russia, the US, France and Germany.
- Abu Dhabi climbed from 41st to 33rd in JLL’s 2026 Global Real Estate Transparency Index, the biggest jump of any market.
If you are buying from overseas, our guide on whether foreigners can buy property in Abu Dhabi explains freehold areas and the steps involved, and the Golden Visa for property investors guide covers residency.
Villas vs Apartments in 2026
According to Savills Middle East, residential sales reached about AED 96.8 billion between January and September 2026. Villas made up 55.6% of that value (around AED 53.8 billion) and apartments 44.4% (around AED 43 billion). In Q3 alone, Savills counted 6,085 residential transactions worth AED 21.5 billion.
Savills notes a shift towards higher-value homes, especially in off-plan and luxury projects, and says “buyers are becoming increasingly selective”. Location, build quality and long-term value now matter more than speed.
What New Supply Is Coming
ADREC estimates Abu Dhabi has about 409,000 homes today, with roughly 71,000 more expected by 2030. Between 7,562 and 8,000 units are scheduled for completion in 2026. Much of the new supply is sold off plan, so buyers who move early can choose better units and spread payments over construction. Browse current launches on our off-plan properties in Abu Dhabi page, or compare ready vs off-plan homes.
IREIS 2026 Is on This Week at ADNEC
The International Real Estate and Investment Show (IREIS) 2026 runs from 10 to 12 November at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. Organised by Dome Exhibitions, it expects more than 4,000 buyers, investors, developers and brokers, with Knight Frank and JLL as conference partners. Sessions cover AI and PropTech, fractional ownership and foreign investment, and a Citizenship Expo pavilion covers residency and citizenship-by-investment programmes.
What This Means If You Are Buying
- Demand is real, not speculative. Sales value doubled while mortgage value rose about 30%, so many buyers are paying cash or large deposits.
- Prime islands lead. Reem, Hudayriyat, Saadiyat and Yas took most of the value. Expect tighter availability in the best units there.
- Payment plans matter. With most new supply coming off plan, compare handover dates and post-handover plans, not just the starting price.
- Check the developer and the registration. Buy from established developers and make sure your contract is registered with ADREC.
For a wider view of the year, see our Abu Dhabi real estate market 2026 outlook.
FAQs
How much real estate was sold in Abu Dhabi in 2026?
ADREC recorded AED 171.26 billion in real estate transactions from January to September 2026, including AED 119.33 billion in sales.
Which area of Abu Dhabi had the highest transaction value?
Al Reem Island, with AED 29.86 billion in the first nine months of 2026, followed by Al Hudayriyat Island at AED 28.62 billion.
Are foreigners buying property in Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Investors from 121 nationalities bought in 2026, and foreign investment in investment zones reached AED 86.11 billion.
When is IREIS 2026?
IREIS 2026 takes place from 10 to 12 November 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
Sources: Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) via Abu Dhabi Media Office, Savills Middle East, IREIS 2026 organisers. Figures as published in October and November 2026.
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