Athens continues to develop as a destination for digital nomads, remote workers, freelancers, startups and corporate teams seeking more flexible working arrangements, as coworking spaces gain ground in Greece’s office market.
According to figures cited by Greek coworking company ViOS, international users now make up between 30% and 40% of members in coworking spaces in Athens, reflecting the city’s growing appeal to professionals from abroad.
The shift comes amid broader changes in the global office market. The pandemic, the rise of remote and hybrid work, higher rents in many European cities, and pressure on companies to reduce fixed costs have all accelerated demand for flexible workspaces. What was once seen as a niche or temporary trend has become an increasingly important part of commercial real estate in major European cities.
Athens is trying to position itself within this changing landscape. Compared with Western European capitals such as London, Paris and Amsterdam, the Greek capital remains more affordable, both in terms of living costs and office-related expenses. At the same time, improved digital infrastructure, stronger air connectivity, increased international arrivals and a developing startup ecosystem have strengthened its appeal.
The city’s geographical position is also seen as an advantage, allowing professionals and companies to work across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Greece’s Digital Nomad Visa, introduced in 2021, has further helped place the country in international guides for remote workers and location-independent professionals.
Most digital nomads choosing Greece are active in technology, digital marketing, design, freelancing and services for startups and scaleups. They come mainly from the United States, Germany, France and Scandinavian countries, with many aged between 30 and 40. According to the article’s figures, they are looking for fast internet, modern infrastructure, a sense of community, flexible housing options and easy access to the sea, culture and everyday urban life.
Coworking spaces themselves are also changing. They are no longer simply shared desks, but organized professional environments offering quiet work areas, meeting rooms, fast internet connections and flexible hosting solutions for individuals and teams. The sector is increasingly linked not only with flexibility, but also with workplace quality, including natural light, ergonomics, clean air, acoustics, energy efficiency, privacy and wellness-related services.
Internationally, the coworking market is expected to continue expanding. Figures cited in the article estimate that the market could exceed $36 billion by 2030, with annual growth of more than 14%, while other projections put its value above $82 billion by 2034. In the United Kingdom, 36% of office space has reportedly already been converted into coworking or flexible offices, with forecasts suggesting that share could rise to 54% by the end of the decade.
Hybrid work is central to this trend. According to the same data, 64% of organizations already operate with a hybrid model, while 76% of employees say they prefer flexible forms of work. Research cited from Cushman & Wakefield and Harvard Business Review indicates that flexible workspaces can increase productivity by up to 20%, while 74% of people working in coworking spaces say they perform better than when working from home.
In Greece, the rise of coworking is also linked to the limited availability of modern category-A office space in central Athens. Many companies are looking for ways to reduce fixed costs without compromising the quality of their working environment. Flexible workspaces allow them to expand or reduce teams more easily and access services that would previously have required significant investment.
ViOS says it is already seeing strong demand. Its coworking centers — ViOS Downtown in central Athens, ViOS Autograph in Marousi and ViOS Co-Lab near OAKA and Golden Hall — are operating at occupancy rates above 98%, hosting companies active in cybersecurity, logistics, B2B commerce, consulting and legal services. The company says it has invested €8 million over the past two years, while in 2026 it launched a new space, ViOS Autograph Psychiko, in Neo Psychiko.
Although Greece’s coworking market remains smaller than those of other European countries, the sector is showing signs of maturity. The growing presence of international professionals, investment in upgraded workspaces, new business models and demand for greater flexibility are reshaping the office market.
For Athens, the challenge now is whether it can turn this momentum into a more permanent role in the regional market for flexible professional infrastructure.
