Key Takeaway
Dublin’s office market strengthened during the first half of 2026, with higher leasing activity, falling vacancy and rising rents for prime space.
For SMEs, however, the right office is not simply about headline rent. Total cost, location, flexibility, facilities and the amount of space your team actually needs are often more important.
What Is Happening in the Dublin Office Market in 2026?
The Dublin office market has become more active during 2026.
According to CBRE’s Dublin Office Market Q2 2026 report, office take-up reached 50,096 sq m across 55 deals in the second quarter, bringing total take-up for the first half of the year to 88,131 sq m. CBRE expects full-year take-up to exceed 200,000 sq m.
CBRE – Dublin Office Market Q2 2026
Colliers also reported improving conditions, including a 57% quarter-on-quarter increase in office take-up during Q2 and an overall Dublin vacancy rate of 13.9%, down from 14.9% a year earlier.
For SMEs looking for office space, this suggests demand for good-quality workspace is strengthening, although availability still varies considerably by location and office type.
Are Dublin Office Rents Increasing?
At the premium end of the market, yes.
CBRE reported prime headline Dublin office rents of €67.50 per sq ft in Q2 2026, while Colliers placed prime rents for existing Grade A offices in the traditional Dublin CBD at approximately €65–€70 per sq ft.
These figures relate to conventional commercial office space and should not be directly compared with the monthly price of a serviced office.
A traditional office may involve costs for furniture, broadband, utilities, cleaning, service charges and other operating expenses in addition to rent. With a serviced office in Dublin, many of these costs are included.
For an SME, the better comparison is therefore the overall monthly cost of occupying the office, rather than rent per square foot alone.
Flexible Offices Continue to Grow
Flexible workspace is also becoming a larger part of Dublin’s office market.
CBRE reported in February 2026 that flexible workspace represented 3.2% of Dublin office stock, up from 2.5%, while occupancy of prime flexible offices was around 90%.
CBRE – Dublin Flexible Office Market 2026
That growth reflects the way many businesses now operate. Hybrid working, changing team sizes and uncertain recruitment plans can make long-term space requirements difficult to predict.
A company with ten employees, for example, may not need ten permanent desks if only part of the team is normally in the office at one time.
We looked at this in more detail in our guide to what size office your team needs in Dublin.
What Should SMEs Look for When Renting an Office in Dublin?
1. Total Monthly Cost
Before comparing offices, check exactly what is included.
Broadband, electricity, heating, cleaning, furniture and shared facilities can all affect the real cost of occupying an office.
Sky Business Centres’ offices to rent in Dublin are furnished and include high-speed fibre broadband, Wi-Fi, utilities, cleaning and reception support.
2. Location
The best location depends on your staff, customers and how the business operates.
Some businesses prioritise a city-centre location, while others value parking, motorway access or proximity to Dublin Airport.
Sky Business Centres has three Dublin locations:
- Clontarf, Dublin 3 – convenient for the city centre and public transport
- Clonshaugh, Dublin 17 – close to Dublin Airport, the M1 and M50
- Damastown, Dublin 15 – convenient for Blanchardstown, the M50 and Navan Road
Free on-site parking is available at Clonshaugh and Damastown.
3. The Space Your Team Actually Needs
Paying for unused space can quickly increase office costs.
Consider how many employees will normally be present, whether the business is recruiting and how much storage or meeting space is genuinely required.
Businesses using serviced offices can also book meeting rooms in Dublin when needed rather than paying permanently for a larger office simply to have a private meeting room.
4. Your Plans for the Next 12 Months
Think about where the business is likely to be a year from now.
A growing company may need room to expand, but taking substantially more space than you currently require can create unnecessary overheads.
The ideal office should meet today’s requirements while allowing reasonable flexibility if the team changes.
How Is Hybrid Working Affecting Office Requirements?
Hybrid working does not automatically mean every business needs a smaller office.
What matters is how often employees are present at the same time. If most of the team comes in on the same two or three days each week, the office still needs to accommodate them comfortably.
Colliers has also noted that businesses continue to invest in offices that support collaboration and employee engagement despite hybrid working remaining established.
For SMEs, the aim is to find enough professional space for employees to work and meet comfortably without paying for areas that remain unused most of the week.
Is a Serviced Office Worth Considering in 2026?
A serviced office can be particularly useful for businesses that want a ready-to-use workspace and greater certainty over monthly costs.
It may suit:
- startups taking their first office
- SMEs expanding their team
- overseas companies establishing a Dublin base
- businesses moving from larger premises
- companies that do not want to manage an office building themselves
A conventional lease may still be the better option for larger organisations that require extensive control over their premises.
The important thing is to compare each option based on the complete cost, location, facilities and flexibility required by the business.
Finding the Right Office in Dublin
Dublin entered the second half of 2026 with stronger office demand, lower vacancy and rising rents for prime accommodation.
For SMEs, that makes it worthwhile to plan ahead, but the most expensive or largest office is not necessarily the best choice.
Consider where your team and customers are travelling from, how many people will regularly use the office, what facilities are required and what the complete monthly cost will be.
Sky Business Centres provides flexible, furnished offices across Clontarf, Clonshaugh and Damastown.
If you are considering moving office or taking your first business premises, our team can help you explore the available options and find a workspace that suits the way your business operates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is demand for Dublin office space increasing in 2026?
Yes. Office activity strengthened during Q2 2026, with CBRE and Colliers both reporting increased take-up. Overall Dublin office vacancy has also fallen compared with 2025.
Are Dublin office rents rising?
Prime Dublin office rents increased during 2026. CBRE reported prime headline rents of €67.50 per sq ft in Q2. These figures relate to conventional commercial offices rather than serviced-office monthly pricing.
What should a small business consider when renting an office?
Consider total monthly cost, location, team size, broadband and utilities, parking, meeting-room requirements and how the business is likely to grow.
Is a serviced office suitable for a small business?
Yes. Serviced offices can suit startups and SMEs because the workspace is furnished and many facilities and operating costs are included.
