Abu Dhabi's real estate transactions surged by 76.1% during the first nine months of 2026 to hit AED171.26 billion ($46.6 billion) in value, according to figures released by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC).

The number of transactions increased 32.8% to 38,483, compared with 28,977 transactions worth AED97.19 billion in the same period of 2025.

Sales were the main contributor to growth, with 23,749 transactions valued at AED119.33 billion, a 105% increase in value and a 49.2% increase in transaction volume year-on-year, up from 15,910 transactions worth AED58.2 billion in the same period of 2025.

Mortgage activity also registered growth, with 14,390 transactions valued at AED45.92 billion, reflecting a 13.2% rise in transaction volume and a 30.2% increase in value compared to 12,706 transactions totalling AED35.26 billion in the same period of 2025.

At a district level, Al Reem Island recorded the highest transaction value at AED29.86 billion, followed by Al Hudayriyat Island at AED28.62 billion, Al Saadiyat Island at AED18.69 billion, Yas Island at AED13.4 billion and Zayed City at AED5.36 billion.

Looking ahead, six districts are projected to account for 77% of incremental real estate supply through 2030, including Al Saadiyat Island, Al Reem Island, Yas Island, Zayed City, Khalifa City and Al Hudayriyat Island.

Rashed Al Omaira, Director-General of ADREC, said the scale of investment shows how many people and businesses are making a long-term commitment to Abu Dhabi. "That commitment extends well beyond the transaction itself. Buyers expect projects to be delivered, businesses need space to grow, and residents want communities that work well over time,” he stated.

"Our responsibility is to make sure the rules governing the market reflect those expectations, from how property is sold to how developments are managed after handover," he stated.

ADREC said the foreign investment in Abu Dhabi’s investment zones increased by 131% year-on-year to AED86.11 billion in the first nine months of 2026, accounting for 81% of total investment value within those zones.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) by non-resident individuals in Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector reached AED17.22 billion during the same period, more than double the AED8.2 billion recorded for the full year of 2025.

Investors from 121 nationalities contributed to this FDI, with the United Kingdom, China, Russia, the United States, France, and Germany representing the leading sources by investment value.

Other transaction categories also recorded growth in value. Gift transactions increased by 145% in number to 76, with their total value rising by 389% to AED0.44 billion. Musataha and long-lease transactions reached 268 deals valued at AED5.57 billion, representing a 52.9% increase in value despite an 18.7% decline in transaction volume compared to the same period in 2025.-TradeArabia News Service