Portugal is no longer just a postcard-perfect destination — it’s a strategic hotspot for remote work. With over 320 coworking spaces nationwide, the country offers more than infrastructure. It offers perspective: that modern work doesn't require skyscrapers, but connection — to people, purpose, and place.
And while Lisbon often leads the narrative, the real story is a nationwide shift. Coworking is becoming a cornerstone of regional development, creative economies, and lifestyle-driven work models. Here's a closer look at where — and why — it's happening.
Lisbon
With 130+ coworking spaces, Lisbon is Portugal’s coworking capital. Over 115 are in the city center, reflecting Lisbon’s density of startups, scaleups, digital agencies, and remote teams. These spaces range from global operators to boutique lofts, often housed in repurposed buildings rich with character.
Lisbon’s suburbs are catching up. Areas like Oeiras, Sintra, and especially Cascais (home to at least 6 well-known coworking hubs) offer a balance of tranquility and proximity. Cascais, in particular, is fast becoming a tech and remote work enclave, with its coastline, expat infrastructure, and international schools creating a "Silicon by the Sea" vibe.
Porto
Portugal’s second-largest city is a model of reinvention. With 100+ coworking spaces — about 89 in the center and 14 in nearby towns like Matosinhos and Gaia — Porto is integrating innovation into its historic fabric.
Creative and tech communities here enjoy access to talent from universities, a growing VC ecosystem, and a cost advantage over Lisbon. Add the Douro River, cultural depth, and excellent wine — and you’ve got a city that makes work-life balance feel effortless.
Algarve
Best known for beaches, the Algarve is now catching the attention of international founders and freelancers. The Faro district hosts 16 coworking spaces, with growth hubs in Lagos, Loule, and Aljezur. These spaces are often integrated with coliving, surf lodges, or wellness retreats — reflecting a hybrid model of work and lifestyle.
Here, remote work doesn’t compete with leisure. It blends with it.
Madeira
When Madeira launched its Digital Nomad Village in Ponta do Sol, it sent a signal: remote work can be a lever for regional development. Today, the island supports several coworking hubs in Funchal and Calheta, with a focus on community, events, and integration into island life.
The result? A self-sustaining ecosystem where nomads stay longer, contribute more, and become part of the local fabric.
The Azores
The Azores, often seen as off-grid, now host 5 coworking spaces, including one in Angra do Heroísmo. This archipelago offers something rare — solitude with structure. Coworking here is still niche, but ideal for creatives, writers, researchers, or tech workers needing quiet and inspiration.
Coimbra
With just two main coworking hubs, Coimbra may seem underdeveloped in comparison. But its strength lies in quality over quantity. Anchored by Portugal’s oldest university, the city’s coworking spaces often support research projects, academic startups, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Braga
Braga, home to at least 6 coworking hubs, is a rising star for young tech professionals. With strong university connections (notably to UMinho), a vibrant student population, and city-level digitalization policies, it’s attracting early-stage ventures and remote workers alike.
Aveiro
Aveiro, known as Portugal’s "Venice", is growing its coworking presence through innovation labs and startup hubs. With a reputation in telecommunications and IoT (thanks to Universidade de Aveiro), it offers tech-focused spaces that appeal to engineers and digital nomads.
With 9 coworking spaces in total — 6 in the city center and 3 in nearby suburbs like São João da Madeira, Albergaria-a-Velha, and Esmoriz — Aveiro balances lifestyle with innovation.
Leiria
Once known mainly for manufacturing, Leiria is now fostering a digital transformation. The region hosts 12 coworking spaces in total — 4 within the city center and 8 spread across surrounding towns like Peniche, Caldas da Rainha, Salir do Porto, and Fátima. Coworking spaces are popping up in refurbished factories and tech parks, aimed at bridging traditional industry with digital talent.
Underrated but Rising
Even in Portugal’s quieter and more rural areas, coworking has begun to anchor regional development.
Here's a snapshot:
Viana do Castelo – ~2 spaces, appealing to creative and environmental professionals
Santarém – ~2–3, with ties to agri-tech and local incubators
Portalegre – ~1–2, small-scale but vital for freelancers and early-stage founders
Guarda – ~2 coworking hubs, university-linked and community-focused
Castelo Branco – ~2, often supported by public innovation programs
Beja – ~2, driven by regional development grants
Évora – ~3–4 spaces, popular with researchers and cultural projects
Faro (revisited) – the Algarve’s capital remains a steady anchor with its 6 coworking spaces, balancing tourism and year-round professional work
Why Portugal?
What makes Portugal’s coworking ecosystem unique isn’t just volume — it’s distribution and diversity:
▪️︎ Climate & lifestyle: Mild winters, a slower pace, and wellness-forward living.
▪️︎ Talent access: Strong universities and international communities.
▪️︎ Affordability: Still more competitive than much of Western Europe.
▪️︎ Policy support: From startup visas to public-private partnerships.
▪️︎ Cultural hospitality: A welcoming atmosphere for global citizens.
Portugal is doing more than supporting remote work — it’s designing for it. From major metros to rural retreats, coworking is no longer a niche. It’s an infrastructure layer — enabling mobility, innovation, and lifestyle alignment.
As Portugal continues this path, it sets a new precedent: that the future of work isn’t just in big cities — it’s everywhere people want to live well and work smart.
Next article preview:“The Best Coworking Spaces in Lisbon: From the City Core to Coastal Suburbs”
Related News