Dubai Real Estate Market in H1 2026: Record Figures Analysis and H2 Outlook

July 9, 2026

The Dubai real estate market continued its brilliance in the first half of 2026, registering sales exceeding AED 286 billion, achieving the second-highest semi-annual performance in the emirate's history, surpassed only by the exceptional record registered in the first half of 2025. These figures do not reflect a passing momentum, but rather confirm the market's maturity and its ability to continue growing despite comparison with a record year. In this analysis, we review the most prominent data of the first half and expectations for the second half for Arab and foreign investors.

Key Figures for the First Half of 2026

According to a report by W Capital, based on data from the Dubai Land Department (DLD), the most prominent indicators for the first half were as follows:

Indicator	Value
Total Real Estate Sales	AED 286.44 billion
Number of Sale Transactions	86,005 deals
Total Real Estate Transactions (Inclusive)	AED 419.94 billion
Total Number of Transactions	112,850 transactions
Residential Unit Deals	Around 71,500 deals
Building Deals	7,296 deals
Land Deals	7,129 deals

It is clear from the figures that the sales value (AED 286.44 billion) came slightly lower than the record high registered in the first half of 2025, which reached AED 326.6 billion. However, the resilience of the value at this high level, despite comparison with an exceptional year, reflects the continuation of real demand and the confidence of local and international investors.

Off-Plan vs. Ready Properties

The first half of 2026 witnessed a remarkable balance between the two segments of the market:

Ready Properties: Accounted for the largest share of total sales with a value exceeding AED 146.7 billion across around 27,200 deals.
Off-Plan Properties: Sales reached around AED 139.8 billion across 58,800 deals, constituting the largest share in terms of the number of deals.

Despite the close value between the two types, the dominance of off-plan properties in the number of deals (accounting for nearly three-quarters of residential transactions) reflects investors' preference for flexible payment plans and lower entry prices, especially with the influx of new qualitative launches.

Financing Depth: Real Estate Mortgages and Gifts

One of the indicators demonstrating market maturity is the expansion of real estate financing activity during the first half:

Real Estate Mortgages: Their value exceeded AED 102 billion across more than 22,000 transactions, distributed over residential units, buildings, and land.
Real Estate Gifts: Reached AED 31.4 billion across 4,501 transactions.

This financing depth reflects the confidence of both banks and investors alike, pointing to a market that does not solely rely on cash speculation but rests on a stable financial base that supports its sustainability.

The Largest Project Launch Cycle in Dubai's History

The first half of 2026 was distinguished by registering the largest project launch cycle in the emirate's history, as the value of launched projects exceeded AED 275 billion across 250 new projects registered with the Dubai Land Department.

The most prominent of these launches was Emaar's announcement of an integrated master plan worth approximately AED 200 billion, described as a "city within a city" designed to accommodate around 150,000 residents over an area exceeding 4.5 million square meters, distributed across five zones including residential towers, luxury villas, commercial offices, retail, and hospitality. This launch alone reflects the scale of confidence in the future of Dubai's real estate market.

Performance Reading: Maturity or Decline

Some may wonder: Does the decline in sales from the record high of 2025 mean the beginning of a slowdown? The answer, according to the interpretation of indicators, is no, it is not the start of a slowdown.

While the number of monthly deals decreased compared to the peak of late 2025, the total value remained high and steady, indicating a shift among buyers toward higher-value units rather than withdrawing from the market. Moreover, the market absorbed regional geopolitical challenges at the beginning of the year and recovered from them quickly, resuming its strong momentum in the second quarter, where quarterly sales exceeded AED 110 billion across 38,300 deals.

Among the notable indicators is that foreign buyers accounted for nearly six out of every ten residential deals, confirming the continued attractiveness of Dubai as a global investment destination.

Expectations for the Second Half of 2026

Current data indicates that the second half of 2026 carries positive indicators, supported by several factors:

Continued population growth and rising demand for residential units.
Expansion of global companies establishing their regional headquarters in Dubai.
Inflow of foreign direct investment and growth of non-oil sectors.
Continued launch of major qualitative projects.
Improvement in global geopolitical conditions and its reflection on investment appetite.

According to indicators, 2026 remains poised to be among the best years for Dubai's real estate market, with the possibility of reaching new record levels in the second half.

What Does This Mean for the Investor?

In light of this data, Skyline Holding provides the following reading for the investor:

First, the market is in a stage of maturity, not a bubble, as growth is based on real demand and financing depth, rather than short-term speculation.

Second, the diversification of choices between ready properties with immediate rental income and off-plan properties with capital growth allows for building a balanced portfolio.

Third, the importance of early entry into major qualitative projects before infrastructure completion to benefit from capital growth during the construction phase.

Fourth, coupling the investment with the advantage of the Golden Visa enhances the overall value of the investment decision.

Conclusion

The first half of 2026 confirms that Dubai real estate has entered a phase of sustainable maturity, where value is more important than just the number of deals, and real demand is stronger than speculation. With the largest project launch cycle in the emirate's history and positive expectations for the second half, Dubai's real estate market remains one of the most attractive destinations for investors seeking stability, yield, and growth combined.