Dubai ($39/sqft, 5.8% vacancy) and Madrid ($42/sqft, 8.6% vacancy) compete on different axes: Dubai on talent depth and Madrid on talent depth.
Dubai ($39/sqft, 5.8% vacancy) and Madrid ($42/sqft, 8.6% vacancy) compete on different axes: Dubai on talent depth and Madrid on talent depth.
| Metric | Dubai | Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Region | EMEA | EMEA |
| Country | United Arab Emirates | Spain |
| Class A rent (USD/sqft/yr) | $39 | $42 |
| Class A rent (local) | 145 AED | 38 EUR |
| Vacancy | 5.8% | 8.6% |
| Trend | rising | rising |
| Prime yield | 7.5% | 4.6% |
| Premium flex / seat / month (USD) | $980 | $780 |
| Submarkets covered | 6 | 5 |
| Corporate tax | 9% | 25% |
| Metric | Dubai | Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Typical term | 3 yrs | 7 yrs |
| Typical rent-free | 3 mos | 14 mos |
| Lease norms | 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. | Standard 5-year lease with 5-year extension option (5+5). Rent indexed to CPI annually. Service charges billed separately. Tenant typically pays IBI (real estate tax) and basura (waste tax). Bank guarantee of 3-6 months standard. |
| Tax note | 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). | Headline corporate tax 25%. Madrid region offers some of Spain's most competitive personal income tax rates. |
| Metric | Dubai | Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Talent index (0–100) | 78 | 78 |
| Talent note | Deepest cross-border financial-services and consulting talent pool in the Middle East. Average all-in compensation indexes 78. | Iberian peninsula's deepest financial-services and tech talent pool. Average all-in compensation indexes 78. |
Dubai: Dubai Metro Red Line connects DIFC, Downtown, Internet City. Etihad Rail commuter network is in development.
Madrid: Madrid Metro covers all Class A clusters. AVE high-speed rail to Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, and Lisbon. Madrid-Barajas Airport is 12-25 minutes from CBD by Metro.
Dubai is the cheaper Class A market on a USD basis.
Talent indices are tied at 78/100.
Dubai has the lower headline corporate tax (9% vs 25%). Local incentives can change the effective rate materially.
Dubai typical term is 3 years with 3 months free; Madrid runs 7 years with 14 months free.
Dubai: Dubai Metro Red Line connects DIFC, Downtown, Internet City. Etihad Rail commuter network is in development. Madrid: Madrid Metro covers all Class A clusters. AVE high-speed rail to Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, and Lisbon. Madrid-Barajas Airport is 12-25 minutes from CBD by Metro.
Score Dubai, Madrid 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.