UAE property sector sees broad-based growth as foreign investment rises

The United Arab Emirates' property market has maintained strong momentum in 2026, with rising transaction values, increased foreign investment and expanding development activity across several emirates, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

Authorities have attributed the growth to a diverse investor base, expanding property opportunities and stronger regulatory frameworks, which they say have reinforced the country's appeal as an international investment destination.

How is the UAE property market performing in 2026?

Real estate authorities across the UAE have reported increased transactions and investment activity, alongside a growing pipeline of development projects.

Investors from a wide range of nationalities are entering local property markets, reflecting continued domestic and international demand.

The authorities say improvements in regulatory and legislative frameworks, along with a broader range of investment opportunities, have helped strengthen the sector and support the country's economic diversification.

How much did Abu Dhabi property transactions reach in 2026?

Abu Dhabi recorded AED171.26 billion ($46.65 billion) in real estate transactions during the first nine months of 2026, up 76.1% from the same period last year. The transactions numbered 38,483, an increase of 32.8%.

Data from the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) showed that foreign investment in designated investment zones rose 131% year-on-year to AED86.11 billion, accounting for 81% of total investment value in those areas.

Investment by non-resident individuals reached AED17.22 billion during the period, more than double the AED8.2 billion recorded throughout 2025.

Property sales rose 105% in value to AED119.33 billion across 23,749 transactions, while mortgage transactions totalled AED45.92 billion.

ADREC also registered 54 new development projects during the first nine months of the year. The number of licensed real estate professionals reached 3,677, up 32% from a year earlier.

What do Dubai property market figures show?

Dubai recorded nearly AED625 billion in real estate transactions during the first 10 months of 2026, across 181,866 deals, according to Dubai Land Department data.

Property sales accounted for approximately AED411.98 billion, while mortgage transactions totalled about AED164 billion. Gifts, or property transfers classified as gifts, were valued at around AED49 billion.

The emirate also recorded an increase in completed development projects. A total of 104 projects worth more than AED111 billion were completed in the first half of 2026, compared with 75 projects valued at AED73 billion during the same period last year.

The figures highlight continued activity in Dubai's property market, supported by a broad range of property offerings and investment opportunities for domestic and international buyers.

How are property markets performing in Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah?

Sharjah recorded AED46.8 billion in real estate transactions during the first nine months of 2026, compared with AED44.3 billion in the same period last year, an increase of 5.6%.

The number of transactions rose 14% to 91,560, with investors from 130 nationalities participating in the market. A total of 46,125 properties were traded across investment categories, while 9,891 new investors entered the market.

Property sales accounted for 24,749 transactions worth AED35 billion. Mortgage activity reached approximately AED10.2 billion across 3,839 transactions.

In Ajman, 1,140 real estate transactions were recorded in October, with a combined value of AED1.95 billion. Property trading accounted for AED1.22 billion across 900 transactions, while 139 mortgage transactions were valued at AED373 million.

Ras Al Khaimah recorded approximately AED2.89 billion in real estate transactions during the first half of 2026.

Property sales reached AED1.353 billion across 1,274 transactions, while mortgages totalled AED1.160 billion through 463 transactions. Property transfers classified as waivers accounted for approximately AED380 million across 348 transactions.