Al Reem Island is entering Spanish radars for a very simple reason: buying “similar” to Dubai, but in Abu Dhabi. Price increases of 22-28% in just 18 months have been seen here, and a rental market that, if you choose the right building, sustains the investment.
February 2026 was the turning point. The direct bridge to Saadiyat made for 5-minute journeys, and the narrative shifted from “we’ll see” to “we’re missing out.” If the Abu Dhabi light rail arrives in 2028 as planned, Al Reem Island shifts from an alternative to the main focus.
Abu Dhabi: The magnet attracting international capital
Al Reem Island is no longer just a promise: as of February 2026, it has 55,225 inhabitants and is marketed as premium residential. For a foreigner, the practical side is this: freehold property with 50-year renewable contracts.
To understand the product (towers, surroundings, and what is actually being bought), this breaks it down in two minutes.
In terms of rentals, two figures lead the way: studios starting around 63,000 AED per year and 2-bedroom units around 116,000 AED. With this basis, a 6-7% return appears in many calculations, but only if maintenance and service charges don’t spoil the party.
The timing that won’t return: February 2026 as the final entry point
Rather than a static picture, here the calendar rules. This quarter, three levers align: Reem Mall Phase II adds 120,000 m² in October 2026, the bridge to Saadiyat opened on February 10, and the light rail route places a station in Shams Abu Dhabi for 2028.
- Average studio price: 962,294 AED (€244,000) vs 1.5M AED in Dubai Marina
- Appreciation 2025-2026: 22-28% according to PropertyFinder (Feb 2026)
- Rental yield: 6-7% annual average
- Population growth: +87% since 2023 reaching 55,225 inhabitants
| Area | 2-BR Price (AED) | 18-Month Appreciation |
|---|---|---|
| Al Reem Island | 1,824,507 | 22-28% |
| Dubai Marina | 3,200,000 | 12-15% |
| Yas Island | 2.100.000 | 18-22% |
With that cocktail, the mechanics are well-known: infrastructure arrives, urgency sets in, and prices rise. Someone who bought in January 2025 paying 1.5M AED for a 2-bedroom unit now sees 1.82M; someone who waits until 2027 could end up paying 30-40% more for an equivalent unit.
The hit to the pocket that saves wealth
This situation becomes very concrete when you compare the entry price. Buying on Al Reem means 50% savings compared to equivalents in Dubai: a 2-bedroom with views can cost around 1.82M AED (€462,000) versus 3.2M in Dubai Marina or 2.9M in JBR.
To see how the opportunity is being marketed in 2026 (and what the buyer usually looks for), this video puts it into context.
In terms of cash flow, rentals support the argument: 63,000 AED per year for studios and 116,000 AED for 2-bedroom units, with yields of 6-7% when the asset is well-chosen. Some operations report positive cash flow from month 4-6 after purchase if the apartment enters the rotation quickly.
Why this matters beyond real estate
Beyond the apartment, Al Reem Island aligns with Abu Dhabi 2030: attracting talent, consolidating entire neighborhoods, and sustaining real demand. That doesn’t make you bulletproof, but it does reduce the “it all depends on the hype” factor that consumes many markets when there is only marketing.
It also leaves a difference in pace: Dubai grows on a grand scale and assumes more supply noise; Abu Dhabi tends to modulate to protect rents and values. And the metro, in cities like these, is not a minor detail: it turns location into something measurable and, therefore, more expensive.
Clearing up doubts we all have
Q: Can I buy as a foreigner without residency?
A: Yes, Al Reem Island is a freehold zone with full ownership for non-residents on 50-year renewable contracts.
Q: What hidden costs are there in the purchase?
A: 2% registration fee, 2% agency fees, community maintenance between 12-18 AED/sq ft annually. No property tax (IBI), no local capital gains tax.
Q: Is the 2028 metro confirmed or a rumor?
A: Officially confirmed by the Abu Dhabi DoT in the 2025-2030 Transportation Plan, with the Shams Abu Dhabi station on the published route.
Q: Does rental profitability compensate for vacancies?
A: Occupancy on Al Reem Island exceeds 92% (PropertyFinder 2026), with vacancies averaging 3-4 weeks per year. Net yields are 5.5-6.5% after expenses.
The next 24 months define the winners
Looking ahead, 2026 is the year that decides the entry price. Between Reem Mall Phase II (October 2026) and the expectation of metro works (expected July 2026), demand may continue to tighten.
In April 2025, REEM Partners raised €750M focused on this area: the big money isn’t waiting for 2028. In markets like this, the movement usually happens before the construction, not after.
Meanwhile, the final comparison is simple: with €500,000 you can go for two 2-bedroom units on Al Reem or stick with a studio in Dubai Marina. In a market that rewards connectivity, that difference usually defines who reaches the next stage first.
