H1 2026 Sales Overview

Dubai's property market closed the first half of 2026 with total transaction values exceeding AED 286 billion, spread across more than 79,000 deals. On average, that works out to roughly AED 66 million changing hands every hour, or close to AED 1.58 billion per day over the six-month period.

Land sales formed a notable part of this activity, with transactions surpassing AED 107 billion in the second quarter alone, pointing to sustained developer appetite for new plots and future project pipelines despite a wider economic and geopolitical backdrop that has remained mixed across the region.

• Over AED 286 billion in total transactions during H1 2026
• More than 79,000 deals recorded
• Average of about AED 66 million traded per hour
• Land transactions exceeded AED 107 billion in Q2 alone

What's Driving the Growth

A large share of this momentum has been tied to the off-plan segment, where a steady stream of new project launches and increasingly flexible, staged payment plans have made it easier for a wider pool of buyers to enter the market. This has broadened demand beyond traditional cash buyers to include investors who prefer to spread payments across the construction period.

Alongside off-plan activity, demand for villas, office space and higher-end residential product has remained firm, adding to overall transaction value even where unit counts have grown more slowly than sales figures. Continued investment in infrastructure and a regulatory environment that is seen as relatively predictable have also supported buyer confidence throughout the period.

• Off-plan launches and flexible staged payment plans widened the buyer base
• Strong demand for villas and higher-end residential product
• Office space demand also contributed to overall activity
• Continued infrastructure investment supported buyer confidence

A Maturing, Diversified Investor Base

International buyers continue to play an outsized role in Dubai's market, accounting for an estimated 60% to 70% of total transaction activity, with their presence particularly pronounced in the luxury and off-plan segments. This level of foreign participation is often cited as evidence that the market has moved beyond a purely local growth story.

The buyer base itself has also become more varied, spanning international investors, residents, end users, high-net-worth individuals and institutional portfolios. Long-term residency options such as the Golden Visa are frequently pointed to as a factor that has deepened the connection between overseas investors and the emirate, alongside Dubai's broader positioning as a stable, well-connected hub for capital from Europe, North America and Asia.

• International buyers estimated at 60-70% of total activity
• Strong foreign presence in luxury and off-plan segments
• Buyer base spans investors, residents, end users and institutions
• Golden Visa and global positioning support foreign investor ties

Outlook for the Second Half of 2026

Looking ahead to the second half of 2026, expectations point toward continued activity supported by population growth, ongoing infrastructure expansion and sustained foreign direct investment inflows. At the same time, growth is widely expected to become more selective than in previous years, with performance increasingly tied to the specifics of each project and location rather than a uniform, market-wide trend.

Projects in strong locations, delivered by established developers, priced reasonably and backed by flexible payment terms are generally seen as best positioned to keep performing well. Conversely, some developments that were priced aggressively from launch, or that do not reflect their underlying value or achievable rental yields, may see softer demand and a period of price rebalancing, which is considered a normal part of the market's natural cycle rather than a sign of broader contraction.

• Continued activity expected in H2 2026, supported by population and infrastructure growth
• Growth expected to become more project-specific and selective
• Strong locations, reputable developers and fair pricing seen as best positioned
• Some overpriced projects may see demand soften and prices rebalance