Forget bonuses and beanbags — Integer Consulting is tackling Portugal’s tech talent challenge with a bolder move: giving people somewhere to live.
Faced with Lisbon’s brutal housing market, the IT outsourcing and cybersecurity firm launched the Integer Living Hub: six fully furnished apartments and a coworking space in Portela, 10 minutes from downtown. It’s more than a perk — it’s a strategic fix for what the company calls a “constant obstacle” to hiring and retaining skilled international professionals.
“The goal wasn’t just comfort. It was onboarding without stress,” says Rúben Santos, Head of Outsourcing Services. “No one can code properly while wondering where they’ll sleep.”
The Living Hub isn’t just about a roof — it’s also a soft landing. Integer supports newcomers with everything from opening bank accounts and navigating Portugal’s healthcare system to finding schools for kids. The result? Faster integration, happier hires, and a tight-knit community that accelerates team bonding from day one.
Internally, Integer also leans on gamified culture-building (Game IN), skills development (Better IN), and strong referral pipelines (BFF). Cybersecurity remains a major growth pillar, especially as defense investments rise in Europe. Still, the sector’s challenges persist: talent shortages, late-stage cybersecurity spending, and barriers to hiring international workers.
Integer’s 2025+ plan: scale sustainably, invest in people, stay boutique, and keep making Lisbon a little more livable — one hire (and apartment) at a time.
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