Abu Dhabi’s property market recorded AED 155 billion in transaction value between January and August 2026, surpassing the AED 142 billion logged across the whole of 2025. But the more telling part of the story is how that total was built.
The first quarter was the strongest period, averaging roughly AED 22 billion a month, with total Q1 volume reaching approximately AED 66 billion.
Activity then held at an elevated level rather than retreating: the second quarter averaged around AED 17 billion a month, and July and August came in at approximately AED 19 billion a month combined.
Foreign participation has widened alongside the volume growth. Non-resident investors from 116 nationalities were active in the market during the first half of 2026, up from 82 nationalities a year earlier.
Foreign buyers accounted for 70 per cent of residential unit sales value in H1, with the buyer base spanning Emiratis, resident expatriates and international investors. ADREC described the first half as reflecting a “broadening and maturing market”, with residential unit sales reaching AED 70.4 billion.
“Record figures can make buyers feel they have missed their opportunity, but the monthly numbers tell a different story. Activity has remained consistent throughout the year, giving buyers the confidence to make informed decisions without feeling rushed,” Nada Osman, Director of betterhomes Abu Dhabi said in a statement.
The picture that emerges is a market adding scale without leaning entirely on a single strong quarter to carry its annual performance.
