Amsterdam ($55/sqft, 7.2% vacancy) and Zurich ($105/sqft, 3.8% vacancy) compete on different axes: Amsterdam on rent and tax and Zurich on talent depth.
Amsterdam ($55/sqft, 7.2% vacancy) and Zurich ($105/sqft, 3.8% vacancy) compete on different axes: Amsterdam on rent and tax and Zurich on talent depth.
| Metric | Amsterdam | Zurich |
|---|---|---|
| Region | EMEA | EMEA |
| Country | Netherlands | Switzerland |
| Class A rent (USD/sqft/yr) | $55 | $105 |
| Class A rent (local) | 50 EUR | 95 CHF |
| Vacancy | 7.2% | 3.8% |
| Trend | rising | flat |
| Prime yield | 4.5% | 3.2% |
| Premium flex / seat / month (USD) | $940 | $1,280 |
| Submarkets covered | 4 | 5 |
| Corporate tax | 25.8% | 19.7% |
| Metric | Amsterdam | Zurich |
|---|---|---|
| Typical term | 7 yrs | 7 yrs |
| Typical rent-free | 12 mos | 6 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 5-10 year leases. Rent indexed to Swiss CPI annually. Nebenkosten billed separately. Cautio (deposit) of 3-6 months standard. Cantonal stamp duty applies. |
| Tax note | Headline corporate tax 25.8% (19% on first €200k). Innovation Box and participation exemption regimes are meaningful. | Effective combined federal + cantonal + municipal corporate tax in Zurich approximately 19.7%. Switzerland's tax cooperation regimes for multinationals (e.g. Patent Box) are meaningful. |
| Metric | Amsterdam | Zurich |
|---|---|---|
| Talent index (0–100) | 86 | 96 |
| Talent note | Strong English-fluent professional talent pool. Average all-in compensation indexes 86. | Deepest financial and pharma talent pool in continental Europe per capita. Average all-in compensation indexes 96. |
Amsterdam: Schiphol Airport is 7 minutes by direct train from Zuidas. Strong S-Bahn equivalent (Sprinter / Intercity) coverage.
Zurich: Zurich Hauptbahnhof anchors SBB and S-Bahn. Tram network covers the central city. Zurich Airport is 12 minutes by S-Bahn.
Amsterdam is the cheaper Class A market on a USD basis.
Zurich has the deeper talent index (96/100 vs 86/100).
Zurich has the lower headline corporate tax (19.7% vs 25.8%). Local incentives can change the effective rate materially.
Amsterdam typical term is 7 years with 12 months free; Zurich runs 7 years with 6 months free.
Amsterdam: Schiphol Airport is 7 minutes by direct train from Zuidas. Strong S-Bahn equivalent (Sprinter / Intercity) coverage. Zurich: Zurich Hauptbahnhof anchors SBB and S-Bahn. Tram network covers the central city. Zurich Airport is 12 minutes by S-Bahn.
Score Amsterdam, Zurich 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.