Berlin ($48/sqft, 7.4% vacancy) and Paris ($102/sqft, 7.6% vacancy) compete on different axes: Berlin on rent and tax and Paris on talent depth.
Berlin ($48/sqft, 7.4% vacancy) and Paris ($102/sqft, 7.6% vacancy) compete on different axes: Berlin on rent and tax and Paris on talent depth.
| Metric | Berlin | Paris |
|---|---|---|
| Region | EMEA | EMEA |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Class A rent (USD/sqft/yr) | $48 | $102 |
| Class A rent (local) | 44 EUR | 95 EUR |
| Vacancy | 7.4% | 7.6% |
| Trend | flat | rising |
| Prime yield | 4.3% | 4% |
| Premium flex / seat / month (USD) | $580 | $1,180 |
| Submarkets covered | 5 | 6 |
| Corporate tax | 30% | 25% |
| Metric | Berlin | Paris |
|---|---|---|
| Typical term | 5 yrs | 9 yrs |
| Typical rent-free | 4 mos | 18 mos |
| Lease norms | Net leases dominate. 5-10 year terms; tenants frequently negotiate break options at year 3 or 5. Free rent of 3-6 months on a 5-year deal; TI of €60-€100/sqm typical. | 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 | 15% federal corporate income tax plus 5.5% solidarity surcharge plus Berlin trade tax (Gewerbesteuer) of about 14.35% for an effective combined rate of about 30%. | 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 | Berlin | Paris |
|---|---|---|
| Talent index (0–100) | 88 | 90 |
| Talent note | Deepest tech and creative talent pool in Germany. Strong feed from TU Berlin, HU, FU, and the rapidly growing Hertie School. Multilingual talent base supports non-German European HQs. | Strong financial-services and luxury-brand talent pool. Average all-in compensation indexes 90 vs. New York's 100. |
Berlin: BVG U-Bahn (10 lines), S-Bahn (15 lines), tram, and bus. Berlin is highly walkable and U-Bahn-served. BER airport (opened 2020) is connected via the S-Bahn S9.
Paris: RER A and the Métro span the entire QCA. The Grand Paris Express network is materially reshaping Greater Paris commute economics through 2030.
Berlin is the cheaper Class A market on a USD basis.
Paris has the deeper talent index (90/100 vs 88/100).
Paris has the lower headline corporate tax (25% vs 30%). Local incentives can change the effective rate materially.
Berlin typical term is 5 years with 4 months free; Paris runs 9 years with 18 months free.
Berlin: BVG U-Bahn (10 lines), S-Bahn (15 lines), tram, and bus. Berlin is highly walkable and U-Bahn-served. BER airport (opened 2020) is connected via the S-Bahn S9. 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 Berlin, 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.