In EU countries, remote work has already become the new norm, but its prevalence varies significantly. The Netherlands and Germany lead the way, while in other parts of Europe this work arrangement is rarely used. Find out where in the EU people most often work from home and what factors influence this

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In the wake of the pandemic, remote work has become an established part of the European labor market. However, its prevalence varies significantly: in some countries, the majority of workers have already transitioned to hybrid models, while in others, remote work remains rare. According to Eurostat, a clear divide has emerged in the EU between leaders and laggards in terms of remote work. In this article, we will examine which countries top the rankings, where the rates are lowest, and what factors drive these differences.

Earlier, we talked about the European countries where it is easiest to get a work visa and start a career abroad.

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The Netherlands – The Undisputed Leader in Remote Work in the EU

The Netherlands has remained the country with the highest level of remote work in the European Union for several years in a row. In 2026, 52% of employees work remotely at least part-time—the highest rate among all EU countries.

Despite this, a complete transition to remote work has not taken place. Most companies use a hybrid model: employees spend about 65% of their working hours in the office, which averages to just over three days a week. Interestingly, an informal standard has already taken shape in the country: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are days for working in the office, while Monday and Friday are increasingly reserved for working from home.

Remote work is most actively used in sectors where physical presence is not critical. This primarily refers to the financial sector, business services, and public administration. This economic structure, combined with a high level of digitalization, allows the country to consistently maintain its leading position in the EU.

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Germany – Rapid Growth in Remote Work Post-Pandemic

Germany is demonstrating one of the fastest growth rates in remote work among EU countries. In 2026, about 25% of employees work from home at least part-time—this is significantly higher than the EU average.

Even before the pandemic, the situation was quite different: in 2019, only 13% of employees had the opportunity to work remotely. Thus, the figure has nearly doubled in just a few years, indicating that businesses are adapting quickly to new work formats.

The main reason for this growth is the active digitalization of the economy and the large share of sectors where a hybrid format is possible: IT, engineering, finance, and consulting. At the same time, German companies are more likely than those in the Netherlands to maintain a balance between office and remote work, relying specifically on flexible models rather than full “remote” work.

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EU countries with the lowest levels of remote work

Unlike in Northern and Western Europe, remote work has not yet become widespread in the southern and eastern EU countries. Its prevalence here is several times lower, which clearly illustrates the overall imbalance within the EU.

The lowest rates are recorded in Romania and Bulgaria, where only about 4% of workers work remotely at least part-time. In Greece, this figure is slightly higher but also remains low — approximately 7%.

This difference is primarily explained by the structure of the economy. In these countries, a significantly larger share of the workforce is employed in sectors where physical presence is mandatory—namely, industry, agriculture, tourism, and the service sector. Additionally, lower levels of digitalization and a less developed corporate culture of flexible work also hinder the spread of remote work.

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Why does the level of remote work in the EU vary so much?

The difference in the prevalence of remote work among EU countries is not accidental—it is shaped by several systemic factors. It is their combination that determines whether remote work will become the norm or remain a niche format.

First and foremost, the level of digitalization of the economy plays a key role. In countries with well-developed online services, electronic document management, and digital infrastructure, companies are transitioning to hybrid or fully remote models much more quickly.

The structure of the workforce is no less important. In countries with a large share of IT, finance, and business services, the opportunity to work from home is much broader. In contrast, in countries where manufacturing, tourism, or the agricultural sector predominate, remote work is physically limited.

Corporate culture also plays a role. In some countries, employers actively support flexible schedules and trust employees to work outside the office. In others, the traditional approach—with a focus on physical presence—still dominates.

Another factor is urban infrastructure and transportation. If the commute to the office takes a long time, employees and companies are more likely to choose remote work as the more efficient option.

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Who in the EU Works Remotely Most Often

Remote work in the EU has a clear employee profile—and it’s quite predictable. People aged 25–44 are the most active users of flexible work arrangements. It is this group that drives the main demand for remote and hybrid work.

This is because these employees already have sufficient experience and qualifications, but at the same time often balance work with personal responsibilities—particularly childcare. Remote work allows them to better balance career and family without sacrificing productivity.

In addition to age, the field of work also plays an important role. Most often, professionals in sectors where all processes can be moved online—such as IT, finance, consulting, marketing, and administrative services—work from home. In these sectors, physical presence in the office is not critical, so companies are actively implementing flexible work models.

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We remind you! New economic indicators show which countries have been able to increase their GDP and which have lost ground due to inflation and slowing growth. Ranking of the richest countries in the world in 2026 — follow the link.

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