Amsterdam ($55/sqft, 7.2% vacancy) and Dubai ($39/sqft, 5.8% vacancy) compete on different axes: Amsterdam on talent depth and Dubai on rent and tax.
Amsterdam ($55/sqft, 7.2% vacancy) and Dubai ($39/sqft, 5.8% vacancy) compete on different axes: Amsterdam on talent depth and Dubai on rent and tax.
| Metric | Amsterdam | Dubai |
|---|---|---|
| Region | EMEA | EMEA |
| Country | Netherlands | United Arab Emirates |
| Class A rent (USD/sqft/yr) | $55 | $39 |
| Class A rent (local) | 50 EUR | 145 AED |
| Vacancy | 7.2% | 5.8% |
| Trend | rising | rising |
| Prime yield | 4.5% | 7.5% |
| Premium flex / seat / month (USD) | $940 | $980 |
| Submarkets covered | 4 | 6 |
| Corporate tax | 25.8% | 9% |
| Metric | Amsterdam | Dubai |
|---|---|---|
| Typical term | 7 yrs | 3 yrs |
| Typical rent-free | 12 mos | 3 mos |
| Lease norms | Dutch leases run 5-10 years with break rights. Rent indexed to CPI annually. Servicekosten (operating expenses) billed separately. Bank guarantees of 3-6 months standard. | Standard lease 3 years with annual rent escalators (typically 5%) and a renewal option. Service charges billed separately. Security deposit of 5-10% standard. Ejari (lease registration) is mandatory. |
| Tax note | Headline corporate tax 25.8% (19% on first €200k). Innovation Box and participation exemption regimes are meaningful. | Federal corporate tax of 9% on profits over AED 375,000 — applied since 2023. No personal income tax. No VAT on commercial leases (5% VAT on most other goods/services). |
| Metric | Amsterdam | Dubai |
|---|---|---|
| Talent index (0–100) | 86 | 78 |
| Talent note | Strong English-fluent professional talent pool. Average all-in compensation indexes 86. | Deepest cross-border financial-services and consulting talent pool in the Middle East. Average all-in compensation indexes 78. |
Amsterdam: Schiphol Airport is 7 minutes by direct train from Zuidas. Strong S-Bahn equivalent (Sprinter / Intercity) coverage.
Dubai: Dubai Metro Red Line connects DIFC, Downtown, Internet City. Etihad Rail commuter network is in development.
Dubai is the cheaper Class A market on a USD basis.
Amsterdam has the deeper talent index (86/100 vs 78/100).
Dubai has the lower headline corporate tax (9% vs 25.8%). Local incentives can change the effective rate materially.
Amsterdam typical term is 7 years with 12 months free; Dubai runs 3 years with 3 months free.
Amsterdam: Schiphol Airport is 7 minutes by direct train from Zuidas. Strong S-Bahn equivalent (Sprinter / Intercity) coverage. Dubai: Dubai Metro Red Line connects DIFC, Downtown, Internet City. Etihad Rail commuter network is in development.
Score Amsterdam, Dubai and up to two more markets side-by-side on Class A rent, vacancy, talent, corporate tax, and premium flex pricing — all in USD.
Reviewed by Samuel Okafor — EMEA contributing editor. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.