Annual leave, flexible hours and hybrid models
This reality calls for a reassessment of corporate property requirements: it's no longer simply a matter of having sufficient square footage, but rather ensuring spaces can adapt to fluctuating occupancy patterns throughout the year. Moreover, the office is no longer understood solely as a place of work, but as the environment where cohesion, culture and collaboration are generated.
This evolution is supported by employee preferences themselves. According to the JLL Workforce Preference Barometer 2025 Spain, 71% of Spanish workers view structured hybrid policies favourably, and 46% believe collaborative work is more effective when there's face-to-face interaction in the office.
Remote working throughout the year
INE data shows the following percentages:
Key figures from the Spanish market
| Indicator | Data | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish companies with 10 or more employees permitting remote working | 37.4% | INE 2025 [ine.es] |
| Employees working remotely on a regular basis | 20.0% | INE 2025 [ine.es] |
| Average remote working days per week | 2.4 days | INE 2025 [ine.es], [europapress.es] |
| Companies with over 250 employees permitting remote working | 78% | INE 2025 [europapress.es] |
| SMEs viewing remote working as a competitive advantage | 42% | Emprende Holded-Visma-Kantar Report [finanzasyeconomia.es] |
| Workers saving over €100/month through remote working | 47% |
Traditional office versus flexible workspace
There's a growing trend amongst businesses to combine traditional offices with flexible workspace, allowing greater agility when resizing their corporate footprint.
Comparison
| Aspect | Traditional office | Flexible workspace |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed costs | Higher | More adaptable |
| Summer scalability | Limited | High |
| Variable occupancy management | Less flexible | Highly flexible |
| Shared services | Limited | Extensive |
| Capacity for hybrid models | Medium | High |
| Contractual commitment | Long-term | Short or medium-term |
It's worth noting that various studies demonstrate workers place particular value on workplace flexibility. Indeed, a significant proportion consider remote working a decisive factor when remaining with an employer or accepting new professional opportunities.
In fact, the importance of flexibility continues to grow. The JLL Workforce Preference Barometer 2025 Spain report indicates that work-life balance is now the top priority for 65% of workers, placing it above even salary as a valued employment factor.
Summer represents one of the periods where the advantages of workplace flexibility are most clearly evident.
Principal benefits
- Improved work-life balance.
- Reduced exposure to commuting during periods of extreme heat.
- Savings on transport and food costs.
- More time available for personal activities.
- Lower stress associated with daily commuting.
- Greater autonomy in managing working hours.
The quality of the in-person experience will prove increasingly decisive. JLL's research reveals that 87% of employees satisfied with their office environment hold a positive view of hybrid policies, confirming that better-designed workspaces encourage both attendance and team engagement.
In short, the office is evolving, establishing itself as a space for connection, innovation and culture, complementing workplace flexibility to the benefit of both businesses and employees.
At JLL, we offer a comprehensive office search service so you can focus on what you do best: developing your business.
About this article
This article has been developed through analysis of workplace and property trends transforming Spain's office market, drawing on industry sources, public statistics (INE) and JLL Research's own data. It notably incorporates findings from the JLL Workforce Preference Barometer Spain 2025, research conducted amongst office workers examining the evolution of hybrid working, flexibility preferences, the relationship between wellbeing and productivity, and the impact of office attendance policies on employee experience and corporate space occupation strategies.
Our Expert
Marta Zulueta
Director of Office Leasing Spain – JLL
Marta Zulueta has over 20 years' experience in the property sector, advising landlords and businesses on developing their real estate strategies. As Director of Office Leasing Spain at JLL, she leads the Madrid and Barcelona teams specialising in office asset marketing and advising corporate occupiers across Spain. Her experience encompasses designing strategies to maximise asset value, coordinating complex transactions, advising international clients, and continuously analysing trends reshaping the office market. She holds a law degree and qualification in Corporate Legal Advisory from ICADE (Universidad Pontificia Comillas).
Email: Marta.Zulueta@jll.com
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