The introduction of the EU Omnibus regulation package* marks a significant shift in European ESG policy. While sustainability regulations are being simplified, Savills expects the Dutch real estate market to continue its strong focus on decarbonisation and quality. The Savills ‘Netherlands Market in Minutes Q1 2025’ report shows that demand for sustainable, future-proof buildings in the Netherlands remains robust. Offices with the highest energy labels are now commanding rental premiums of up to 20% compared to less sustainable alternatives.

Iris Kampers, ESG Advisor at Savills in the Netherlands, says: “The EU Omnibus provides room to simplify ESG reporting, but that doesn’t change the pressure already coming from investors, lenders and benchmarks like GRESB. Many of our clients have embedded ESG deeply in their portfolios – not because they have to, but because it matters for financing, reputation and long-term value.”

Dutch occupier demand remained robust at 1.7 million sq m in the first quarter of 2025, in line with previous quarters. Since 2022, quarterly take-up across all sectors has fluctuated between 1.5 and 2 million sq m, averaging 1.8 million sq m – slightly below pre-pandemic levels of 2.3 million sq m (2019-2022).

Occupiers remain highly selective, favouring sustainable and strategically located properties. Office vacancy continued its downward trend to 5.5% in Q1 2025, while logistics vacancy stood at 5.1%. This was largely driven by higher vacancy outside prime locations. In contrast, vacancy in logistics hotspots reached just 4.2%, reflecting ongoing demand for high-quality assets.

Ellen Waals, Head of Occupier Services at Savills in the Netherlands, says: “Occupiers continue to be active but are increasingly selective. There is a strong demand for prime and energy-efficient spaces. As a result, landlords and developers need to raise their standards: Properties need to be future-proofed regarding performance and positioning to appeal to tenants. Quality has become the new standard in a marketplace characterised by cautious confidence.”

While the EU Omnibus reduces reporting complexity under the CSRD, CSDDD, and EU Taxonomy – particularly benefitting SMEs – Savills highlights that sustainability remains central. The shift is towards smart ESG: aligning environmental performance with business resilience and competitive positioning.

Charlotte de Mos, Head of Data, Intelligence & Strategy at Savills in the Netherlands, adds: “We’re not moving away from ESG – we’re moving towards smarter ESG. Sustainability is no longer a box-ticking exercise. It has become a strategic cornerstone for organisations. Smart ESG means directly linking environmental performance to business success, and our data – from both market analysis and client research – clearly shows that occupiers are willing to pay for it.”

Access the full report at: https://insights.savills.nl/market-in-minutes-q1-2025-nl/p/1 

* The EU Omnibus reduces reporting complexity under the CSRD, CSDDD, and EU Taxonomy – particularly benefitting SMEs. According to Savills, ESG remains central, but the approach is more pragmatic. For an explanation of the EU Omnibus regulation package, please see: 
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_614