Amsterdam ($55/sqft, 7.2% vacancy) and Paris ($102/sqft, 7.6% vacancy) compete on different axes: Amsterdam on rent and tax and Paris on talent depth.
Amsterdam ($55/sqft, 7.2% vacancy) and Paris ($102/sqft, 7.6% vacancy) compete on different axes: Amsterdam on rent and tax and Paris on talent depth.
| Metric | Amsterdam | Paris |
|---|---|---|
| Region | EMEA | EMEA |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Class A rent (USD/sqft/yr) | $55 | $102 |
| Class A rent (local) | 50 EUR | 95 EUR |
| Vacancy | 7.2% | 7.6% |
| Trend | rising | rising |
| Prime yield | 4.5% | 4% |
| Premium flex / seat / month (USD) | $940 | $1,180 |
| Submarkets covered | 4 | 6 |
| Corporate tax | 25.8% | 25% |
| Metric | Amsterdam | Paris |
|---|---|---|
| Typical term | 7 yrs | 9 yrs |
| Typical rent-free | 12 mos | 18 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. | The bail commercial is the standard lease — 9 years with tenant break rights at year 3 and year 6. Rent is indexed annually to the ILAT or ICC indices. Rent-free of 12-24 months on a 9-year term is standard. Service charges and tax foncière are typically passed through. Restoration to original is the default obligation. |
| Tax note | Headline corporate tax 25.8% (19% on first €200k). Innovation Box and participation exemption regimes are meaningful. | Headline corporate tax 25%. Local cotisation foncière des entreprises (CFE) and contribution sur la valeur ajoutée des entreprises (CVAE) add a meaningful local layer. Île-de-France tertiary tax (TSB) applies to office occupiers. |
| Metric | Amsterdam | Paris |
|---|---|---|
| Talent index (0–100) | 86 | 90 |
| Talent note | Strong English-fluent professional talent pool. Average all-in compensation indexes 86. | Strong financial-services and luxury-brand talent pool. Average all-in compensation indexes 90 vs. New York's 100. |
Amsterdam: Schiphol Airport is 7 minutes by direct train from Zuidas. Strong S-Bahn equivalent (Sprinter / Intercity) coverage.
Paris: RER A and the Métro span the entire QCA. The Grand Paris Express network is materially reshaping Greater Paris commute economics through 2030.
Amsterdam is the cheaper Class A market on a USD basis.
Paris has the deeper talent index (90/100 vs 86/100).
Paris has the lower headline corporate tax (25% vs 25.8%). Local incentives can change the effective rate materially.
Amsterdam typical term is 7 years with 12 months free; Paris runs 9 years with 18 months free.
Amsterdam: Schiphol Airport is 7 minutes by direct train from Zuidas. Strong S-Bahn equivalent (Sprinter / Intercity) coverage. Paris: RER A and the Métro span the entire QCA. The Grand Paris Express network is materially reshaping Greater Paris commute economics through 2030.
Score Amsterdam, Paris 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.