The Abu Dhabi property market recorded AED 171 billion of transactions in the first nine months of 2026, up 76% on last year. Here is where the money went and what it means for buyers, investors and tenants.
Quick Answer
The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) reported AED 171.26 billion of real estate transactions from January to September 2026, a 76% annual rise. Sales more than doubled to nearly AED 120 billion across 23,749 deals. Al Reem Island led by value, followed by Al Hudayriyat Island, Saadiyat Island and Yas Island, while foreign investment in investment zones rose 131% to AED 86.11 billion.
Abu Dhabi has spent most of the past decade in Dubai’s shadow, at least in the headlines. However, the 2026 figures change that conversation. Even with regional uncertainty weighing on sentiment, the capital has recorded its strongest run of transactions to date, driven by international buyers and a handful of island communities.
Key Takeaways
- Abu Dhabi recorded AED 171.26 billion of real estate transactions in the first nine months of 2026, up 76% year on year, according to ADREC.
- Sales more than doubled to nearly AED 120 billion, with the number of sales deals up almost 50% to 23,749.
- Al Reem Island led all districts at AED 29.86 billion, ahead of Al Hudayriyat Island at AED 28.62 billion and Saadiyat Island at AED 18.69 billion.
- Foreign investment in Abu Dhabi’s investment zones rose 131% to AED 86.11 billion, or 81% of total investment value.
- Rents for residential, commercial and industrial property have been frozen until further notice, outside ADGM-managed areas such as Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island.
Table of Contents
- How big was the Abu Dhabi property market in 2026?
- Where buyers spent their money
- Who is buying in Abu Dhabi?
- The rent freeze and what it means for landlords
- What the Abu Dhabi property market means for investors
- Expert View From Our CEO
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Big Was the Abu Dhabi Property Market in 2026?
According to ADREC figures reported by The National, Abu Dhabi recorded 38,483 real estate transactions worth AED 171.26 billion between January and September 2026.
| January to September 2026 | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total transaction value | AED 171.26 billion, up 76% |
| Total transactions | 38,483, up nearly a third |
| Sales value | Nearly AED 120 billion, more than double |
| Sales transactions | 23,749, up almost 50% |
| Mortgage value | About AED 46 billion, up more than 30% |
| New developments approved | 54 |
Source: Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre, via The National, 7 November 2026.
In other words, sales rather than mortgages or other registrations drove most of the growth. In addition, licences issued to real estate professionals rose by a third, which suggests the industry expects activity to stay high.
Where Buyers Spent Their Money
In particular, five districts accounted for the bulk of the value.
| District | Transaction value |
|---|---|
| Al Reem Island | AED 29.86 billion |
| Al Hudayriyat Island | AED 28.62 billion |
| Saadiyat Island | AED 18.69 billion |
| Yas Island | AED 13.4 billion |
| Zayed City | AED 5.36 billion |
Source: Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre, via The National, 7 November 2026.
For example, Al Reem Island remains the capital’s most established apartment market, close to the business district on Al Maryah Island. By contrast, Al Hudayriyat Island is a much newer story, and its jump to second place reflects the scale of recent launches there. Our guide to why Hudayriyat Island is Abu Dhabi’s top investment explains what is being built.
Looking ahead, ADREC expects these five districts plus Khalifa City to account for 77% of new real estate supply through 2030. As a result, buyers who want to understand where Abu Dhabi is heading should start with these six areas.
Who Is Buying in Abu Dhabi?
Above all, international money is now the main driver. Foreign investment in Abu Dhabi’s investment zones, where non-UAE nationals can buy, rose 131% to AED 86.11 billion. In other words, that is 81% of total investment value.
Even more striking, direct investment by non-resident individuals reached AED 17.22 billion in nine months. That is already more than double the AED 8.2 billion recorded for the whole of 2025.
Meanwhile, prices are moving up. ValuStrat reported that Abu Dhabi apartment prices rose sharply in the third quarter, as The National reported. For the wider case for the capital, see our Abu Dhabi property investment guide for 2026.
The Rent Freeze and What It Means for Landlords
Separately, ADREC announced earlier this year that rents for residential, commercial and industrial property in Abu Dhabi will not increase until further notice, and that position still stands. However, communities managed by Abu Dhabi Global Market, such as Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island, are excluded.
For tenants, therefore, the freeze offers welcome certainty on costs. For landlords and investors, it changes the maths in three ways.
- Plan on today’s rent. Outside ADGM areas, model your returns on the current rent rather than an annual increase.
- Focus on price. With rental growth paused, the price you pay matters even more to your yield.
- Check the area. Because ADGM-managed areas sit outside the freeze, the same budget can lead to different rental outcomes depending on the community.
What the Abu Dhabi Property Market Means for Investors
Taken together, the 2026 figures show a market that is growing fast, increasingly international and concentrated in a few island districts.
As a result, for buyers comparing the two emirates, the choice is no longer simply Dubai or nothing. Abu Dhabi offers a smaller market with a large share of new supply on master-planned islands, while Dubai offers more depth, liquidity and choice. Our top 10 Abu Dhabi projects investors are chasing is a useful starting point for specific developments.
Above all, check three things before you buy: whether the community is in a designated investment zone, how much new supply is due nearby, and whether the rent freeze applies to it.
Expert View From Our CEO
“Abu Dhabi is no longer the quiet alternative to Dubai. International buyers have clearly discovered the capital’s island communities, but with rents frozen outside ADGM, the entry price now does more of the work, so buyers should be disciplined about what they pay.”
Iseeb Rehman, CEO, Sherwoods International Property
Iseeb Rehman has 40 years of experience in real estate and leads Sherwoods, which has advised clients in Dubai and London for more than 38 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much property was sold in Abu Dhabi in 2026?
From January to September 2026, Abu Dhabi recorded AED 171.26 billion of real estate transactions, up 76% year on year. Sales more than doubled to nearly AED 120 billion across 23,749 deals, according to the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre.
Which area of Abu Dhabi has the most property transactions?
Al Reem Island led by value with AED 29.86 billion in the first nine months of 2026. Al Hudayriyat Island followed with AED 28.62 billion, then Saadiyat Island with AED 18.69 billion.
Are rents frozen in Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Rents for residential, commercial and industrial property will not increase until further notice. However, communities managed by ADGM, such as Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island, are excluded.
Can foreigners buy property in Abu Dhabi?
Yes, foreign nationals can buy in Abu Dhabi’s designated investment zones. In fact, foreign investment in these zones rose 131% to AED 86.11 billion in the first nine months of 2026, or 81% of total investment value.
Is Abu Dhabi a good place to invest in property in 2026?
On the evidence so far, transaction values, foreign investment and apartment prices all rose strongly in 2026. Even so, the rent freeze means returns depend more on the purchase price, so compare yields and new supply in each community before you buy.
Speak to Sherwoods About Abu Dhabi
Whether you are comparing Abu Dhabi with Dubai or choosing between island communities, we can help you weigh price, supply and rental rules before you commit.
UAE: +971 4 355 0094 or +971 50 591 5762
UK: +44 20 3962 9980
Email: info@sherwoodsproperty.com
About Sherwoods
Sherwoods International Property has advised buyers, sellers, landlords and investors for more than 38 years, with offices in Dubai and London. The firm is led by CEO Iseeb Rehman, who has 40 years of experience in real estate. Sherwoods is registered with Dubai’s Real Estate Regulatory Agency under RERA number 1238.
Sources
- The National, Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre nine-month transaction figures and rent freeze, 7 November 2026
- The National, Abu Dhabi apartment prices in the third quarter of 2026
Sherwoods Property, since 1988.
This article is general information and not investment advice. Figures are as reported by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre and may be revised. Figures correct as of November 2026.
General information, not legal or financial advice.