Abu Dhabi:Abu Dhabi's real estate market experienced significant growth in the first nine months of 2026, with transaction values rising by 76.1% to AED171.26 billion. This increase, reported by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC), marks a substantial rise from AED97.19 billion during the same period in 2025.

According to Wam, the number of transactions also saw a notable increase, climbing 32.8% to 38,483 from 28,977 in 2025. The growth was primarily driven by sales, which contributed 23,749 transactions valued at AED119.33 billion, a 105% increase in value and a 49.2% increase in transaction volume from the previous year.

Mortgage activity contributed to the overall growth, with 14,390 transactions valued at AED45.92 billion. This reflects a 13.2% rise in transaction volume and a 30.2% increase in value compared to 2025. Al Reem Island recorded the highest transaction value at AED29.86 billion, followed by Al Hudayriyat Island and Al Saadiyat Island.

Foreign investment in Abu Dhabi's investment zones surged by 131% year-on-year, reaching AED86.11 billion. Foreign direct investment by non-resident individuals doubled, with investors from 121 nationalities contributing, led by the United Kingdom, China, and Russia. Other transaction categories such as gift transactions and musataha also recorded significant growth.

As the market expands, ADREC continues to enhance the regulatory framework, registering 54 new development projects and issuing 3,677 licences for real estate professionals. The introduction of a new broker licensing course aims to improve service standards, aligning with Abu Dhabi's recognition as the world's most improved market in JLL's 2026 Global Real Estate Transparency Index.