Dubai Real Estate Projects Cross Dh100 Billion in H1 2026, Rising 52% Year on Year
More than 24,000 new property units were added as Dubai expands digital services, supports first-time buyers and strengthens international investor outreach.
Dubai’s real estate sector recorded significant growth in the first half of 2026, with approximately 104 projects valued at more than Dh100 billion registered during the period. The combined value represented a 52% increase compared with the first half of 2025, while the developments introduced over 24,000 additional property units, marking a 36% annual rise.
Figures shared by Dubai Land Department (DLD) officials at the Rise Summit 2026 highlighted the emirate’s continued focus on expanding its property market and attracting long-term investment.
Omar Bu Shehab, Director General of the Dubai Land Department, attributed the sector’s progress to Dubai’s long-term development plans, infrastructure investment, business-friendly environment and cooperation between public authorities and private companies.
Real estate continues to play an important role in Dubai’s economic development, supporting new communities, creating investment opportunities and contributing to residents’ quality of life. The sector’s direction is also aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033 and Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040.
These initiatives aim to strengthen the emirate’s economic position, guide urban expansion and maintain its attractiveness to local and international investors.
Dubai Real Estate Transactions Reached Dh917 Billion in 2025
Dubai’s property market recorded Dh917 billion in real estate transactions across more than 270,000 deals in 2025, according to Majid Sager Al Marri, CEO of Corporate Support and Real Estate Promotion at the Dubai Land Department.
The emirate’s rental sector also remained active, registering more than one million transactions valued at approximately Dh100 billion during the year.
Al Marri said the number of registered real estate projects had subsequently increased beyond the 104 recorded during the first half of 2026, reaching more than 150. The projects collectively cover around one million square metres, representing a 100% increase in area compared with the previous year.
The expansion reflects continued development activity across Dubai, supported by efforts to attract investment and improve the experience of property buyers and other market participants.
AI Technology Aims to Make Property Transactions Faster
Dubai is introducing additional digital solutions to reduce the time and effort required to complete real estate transactions.
One initiative highlighted by the Dubai Land Department allows developers and investors to obtain initial sale contracts within minutes rather than waiting several days. Launched in September 2026, the service uses artificial intelligence to speed up the process and simplify the procedures involved.
The initiative forms part of the department’s wider digital transformation programme, which seeks to improve service delivery and make property transactions more efficient for developers, investors and buyers.
Greater use of AI and digital services could help reduce administrative delays while supporting Dubai’s ambition to develop a more accessible and technology-driven real estate ecosystem.
First-Time Home Buyer Programme Records Dh5 Billion in Transactions
Dubai’s First-Time Home Buyer initiative is helping more residents explore property ownership through benefits offered by participating developers, banks and other partners.
Introduced in collaboration with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the programme provides eligible buyers with benefits that may include preferential pricing and customised payment plans.
According to Al Marri, more than 3,200 first-time buyers benefited from the initiative during its first year, with the resulting transactions reaching Dh5 billion.
The programme is designed to lower some of the barriers faced by people entering the housing market for the first time. The Dubai Land Department may also explore extending the initiative to non-resident buyers in the future.
By broadening access to homeownership, the initiative could help support demand while encouraging more residents to consider purchasing homes in the emirate.
Dubai Plans More International Campaigns to Attract Investors
The Dubai Land Department is preparing further international outreach activities to promote the emirate’s real estate market and attract additional investment.
Planned activities include roadshows in India and participation in a conference with US-based brokers. The department also intends to work with industry partners to strengthen Dubai’s position among international investors and investment funds.
The outreach programme complements the emirate’s wider strategy of combining new property developments with improved digital services and initiatives that make homeownership more accessible.
With project values rising, additional housing units entering the market and technology playing a growing role in property transactions, Dubai continues to expand its real estate offering for residents, developers and global investors.
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