“Remote Work in Portugal: Challenges and Opportunities for the Future” is the title of the study whose findings will be presented on October 14, at the conference “The Future: Remote Work, Technology and Smart Cities.”
Developed by WORX Real Estate Consultants in collaboration with Gi Group Holding, the study is based on a survey conducted among a wide range of companies of varying sizes and across different business sectors. Its goal is to identify emerging trends and draw conclusions about the impact that new forms of work may have on workplaces and professional relationships.
The study shows that remote work, initially adopted as an emergency response to the pandemic, has since become an established practice in many organizations. In Portugal, 21.8% of the employed population now works remotely, supported by digital tools that have enabled new levels of connectivity and flexibility. Among the most valued benefits are work-life balance (92%) and greater ease in attracting and retaining talent (84%), while the main challenges include the integration of new employees (76%) and the negative impact on organizational culture (69%).
During the conference, the presentation of the study’s conclusions will allow for a holistic discussion, broadening the reflection to encompass key dimensions such as the impact of new work models on productivity, office spaces, technological development, and the urban model of future cities.
The event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the PLMJ Auditorium, featuring the opening address by Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho, Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, and a keynote speech by Samuel Duah, Head of Real Estate Economics at BNP Paribas Real Estate, who will bring an international perspective to the discussion on remote work.
The program will also include two roundtable discussions addressing “The Transformation of Work: Business and Social Impact” and “The Future: Technology and Smart Cities”, with contributions from renowned experts and industry leaders.
Commenting on the study and event, Pedro Rutkowski, CEO of WORX, stated:
“Despite the extensive discussion around remote work, some key dimensions remain unexplored: what is its impact on the real estate market? What must workplaces offer to attract employees back to the office? And what about cities—how can they reinvent themselves to attract companies to their urban centers and, with them, the professionals who keep local commerce and services alive? We believe this study and the conference that presents it mark an important step toward a holistic approach to the phenomenon of remote work.”
Thomas Marra, CEO of Gi Group Holding, added:
“Remote work has accelerated a structural transformation within organizations that goes far beyond the adoption of new technologies. Flexibility has become a strategic pillar, requiring a renewed perspective on how companies manage talent. This study reinforces the importance of a more mature hybrid model—the challenge now is to rethink the strategic role of workspaces within this new dynamic.”