Abu Dhabi, UAE – The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Center approved eight new investment zones, bringing the total number of investment zones in the emirate to 50 zones. The center also registered 28 new real estate projects during the first half of the year, a 16% increase compared to the same period last year. Reflecting the continuation of real estate development activity and providing new investment opportunities for local and international investors throughout the emirate.
Real estate professions, in turn, witnessed continuous growth, with the center issuing 2,040 real estate profession licenses during the first half of the year. With an annual increase of 34%, the number of licensed real estate brokers in the emirate reached 3,302.
Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Center continued to implement its initiatives aimed at enhancing transparency and data reliance in the real estate market. By developing the digital services system, the “Mamdoon” platform has contributed, since its launch, to issuing more than 41,200 real estate advertising permits. In a way that enhances the quality and credibility of real estate information available in the market, and consolidates the confidence of investors and dealers in real estate advertisements. Through continued transparency and trust in the real estate sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Increase in the number of nationalities of foreign investors
The center’s data revealed the performance of foreign direct investments. It recorded 13.8 billion dirhams during the first half of 2026, an increase of 309% compared to the same period last year.
The value of foreign direct investments recorded during the first six months of the year also exceeded the total achieved during the entire year of 2025. This marks the highest level of foreign direct investment ever during the first half of the year. Reflecting the growing confidence of international investors and the attractiveness of the real estate market in Abu Dhabi.
In addition, the number of nationalities of non-resident foreign investors in the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Market increased to 116 nationalities during the first half of the year. Compared to 82 nationalities during the same period last year. The United Kingdom, China, Russia, the United States, Germany, and France were at the forefront of markets exporting foreign direct investments.
The value of international investments in various investment zones in the emirate amounted to approximately 75 billion dirhams. An increase of 181% compared to 26.7 billion dirhams during the same period last year.