Workation in Europe: The Best and Worst Cities

The workation format allows professionals to work from anywhere in Europe while exploring new locations. Analysts at Compare the Market examined European cities based on internet speed, cost of living, and the number of coworking spaces to identify the most and least suitable locations for this format. Learn more about the ranking of European cities for remote work and the criteria used to evaluate them

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Remote work has given professionals the opportunity to combine work with travel throughout Europe. The company Compare the Market analyzed European cities and ranked them based on which are best and worst suited for “workcations”—a format where people work and relax at the same time in a new city.

In this article, we’ll tell you which capitals took the top spots in the ranking, what criteria were used to evaluate the cities, and which places you should avoid for a work vacation.

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Paris Tops the Ranking of Best Cities for Workation

The capital of France took first place in the Compare the Market ranking thanks to its combination of fast internet and extensive tourist infrastructure. Paris has the fastest fixed broadband internet in Europe at 352.77 Mbit/s, as well as stable mobile connectivity at 148.96 Mbit/s. According to TripAdvisor, the city offers visitors 4,550 tourist attractions. The high cost of living and coffee prices remain a drawback.

The connection speed makes the French capital ideal for hosting online meetings, working with large files, and video conferencing with clients. An extensive network of cafes, museums, and parks allows you to combine work hours with cultural activities in your free time.

About the quietest countries in the world in 2026—read more at the link.

Lisbon and London: Which Cities Made the Top 3?

Lisbon, Portugal, took second place in the ranking, while London, United Kingdom, came in third. Lisbon received high marks due to its more affordable prices compared to other European capitals and its abundance of tourist attractions. The British capital made it into the top three thanks to its well-developed network of coworking spaces, although its position is dampened by the overall high cost of living.

The Portuguese capital attracts remote workers with its moderate prices for housing, coffee, and everyday expenses.

In London, the advantages of being a major business hub partially offset the high costs—the city has the largest number of specialized workspaces among the locations surveyed.

The 15 best European destinations for a peaceful vacation—compiled in this article.

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What criteria were used to compile the workation ranking?

Analysts at Compare the Market considered seven metrics to evaluate European cities. The researchers took into account internet connection specifications, a traveler’s living expenses, and leisure opportunities during non-working hours. This approach allows for evaluating a city from the perspective of both the work and travel needs of a professional who combines work with travel.

The list of evaluated parameters included:

• fixed broadband internet speed;
• mobile internet speed;
• number of coworking spaces in the city;
• overall cost of living;
• price of a cup of cappuccino;
• price of a glass of beer;
• leisure options.

Read also: Zumer named the best cities to live in 2026.

Salzburg was named the worst city for work-life balance

Salzburg in Austria came in last place in the ranking of European cities for work-life balance. The city is known for its architecture and musical heritage, but it lags behind its competitors in practical terms. The main drawbacks were high housing costs, a limited number of coworking spaces, and internet connectivity that is weaker compared to other European cities. These conditions make it difficult to work remotely effectively.

The next spots on the “anti-ranking” were taken by the German cities of Munich and Hamburg. Both cities received low scores for internet connection speed and living expenses. Hamburg ranked slightly higher thanks to the greater number of coworking spaces in the city.

About the best countries for digital nomads in 2026 — read here.

Health Insurance for Remote Work Abroad

A long-term stay in another country while working remotely requires arranging health coverage. Standard travel insurance policies do not always cover medical expenses for extended trips or work abroad. The Visit World portal offers health insurance tailored to the needs of travelers, particularly those planning to combine work with leisure in European cities. The policy covers the costs of emergency medical care, doctor’s visits, and other situations specified in the contract.

Get medical insurance on the Visit World portal to protect yourself during your working vacation in Europe!

Reminder! In our previous article, we talked about 5 underrated European cities for budget travel without crowds of tourists.

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