Abu Dhabi real estate market is showing strong growth and resilience, supported by the growing demand, government policies, and economic diversification. According to the data released by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC), a total of 13,518 transactions, amounting to AED 66.01 billion, were recorded. This demonstrates an increase of 96% in volume and 161% increase in value compared to Q1 2025.
Sales dominated the market with approximately 9,000 transactions, valued at AED 49.05 billion. This demonstrates a 228.6% increase in value and a 134% increase in volume compared to Q1 2025. The Emirate recorded approximately 5,000 mortgage deals with a combined value of AED 15.03 billion. More than 8,000 residential sales were recorded, amounting to over AED 44 billion. 69 commercial deals were closed in the emirate, totaling AED 476.38 million.
Residential Sales Breakdown
Here’s the breakdown of residential sales of Q1 2025 and Q1 2026:
| Property Type | Total Sales in Q1 2025 | Total Sales Value in Q1 2025 | Total Sales in Q1 2026 | Total Sales Value in Q1 2026 |
| Apartment | 2,000 | AED 6.25 billion | 6,000 | AED 16.97 billion |
| Villa | 808 | AED 5.04 billion | 2,000 | AED 18.91 billion |
| Duplex | 55 | AED 232.25 million | 132 | AED 1.02 billion |
| Penthouse | 2 | AED 51.75 million | 6 | AED 212.30 million |
| Plot for Townhouse / Attached Villa | 1 | AED 1.20 million | 1 | AED 800,000 |
| Plot for Villa | 156 | AED 408.41 million | 511 | AED 1.53 billion |
| Townhouse / Attached Villa | 344 | AED 794.92 million | 368 | AED 1.04 billion |
Top Performing Areas by Value in Q1 2026
| Area | Total Value in AED |
| Hudayriyat Island | AED 11.97 billion |
| Reem Island | AED 9.45 billion |
| Saadiyat Island | AED 8.8 billion |
| Yas Island | AED 5.5 billion |
Top Performing Areas by Volume
| Area | Total Sales |
| Reem Island | Approximately 2,000 |
| Yas Island | Approximately 2,000 |
| Hudayriyat Island | More than 1,000 |
| Saadiyat Island | 816 |
Rashed Al Omaira, Director General of ADREC, said, “This quarter’s performance is a clear reflection of the confidence Abu Dhabi continues to earn from investors both locally and internationally. Reaching a record level of activity is not only a sign of demand, but it also signals a market that is becoming more disciplined, with a clear focus on long-term investment.”
“Our role as ADREC is to ensure this growth is supported through consistent oversight and a regulatory framework that upholds trust and accountability across the sector. This is what gives Abu Dhabi its strength. It is not about short-term momentum, but a market built on strong fundamentals, positioning it as a reliable investment destination,” he added.
Abu Dhabi Housing Supply Growth
With demand exceeding supply, the Abu Dhabi real estate market is bolstered by 16 new real estate projects in this quarter, reflecting an increase of 60% from last year. The housing market will see a 3.3% growth in 2026, with residential supply increasing by 10,272 units to 325,248. Residential supply is expected to reach 333,564 by 2027, reflecting steady growth.
Strong Foreign Direct Investment
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) showed strong growth in Q1 2026, with individual investments hitting AED 8.27 billion, a 423% increase compared to Q1 2025 and equaling the total FDI for the last year. The capital of the UAE attracted foreign investment from 99 nationalities, up from 68 last year. FDI in Abu Dhabi’s investment zones remained robust, representing 84% of total FDI and surpassing AED 36.4 billion in value. This marks a 242% YoY increase, backed by investors from the United Kingdom, China, the Russian Federation, India, Jordan, France, and Egypt.
