Foreign investors poured further into UAE real estate during the first half of 2026, with transaction volumes climbing across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah and developers reporting some of their strongest sales figures to date.
Dubai recorded approximately AED419.9 billion in total real estate transactions during H1 2026, including AED286.4 billion in property sales. The emirate had already logged AED148.35 billion in foreign real estate investment in the first quarter alone, up 26 percent year-on-year.
Abu Dhabi's transactions more than double
Abu Dhabi's total transactions reached AED117 billion, a rise of 112 percent year-on-year, while sales transactions increased 163.7 percent to AED86.1 billion. Foreign direct investment into Abu Dhabi real estate reached AED13.8 billion, up 309 percent annually, with non-resident investors from 116 nationalities taking part in the market.
Sharjah recorded AED29.5 billion in transactions, an annual growth rate of 9.3 percent, and attracted investors from 121 nationalities. Since introducing its updated ownership framework, the emirate has approved fifty developments for ownership by non-UAE and GCC nationals, including six approved during H1 2026 alone.
