Lisbon instead of an open-plan office, sea views instead of a meeting room - Workation sounds like a vacation brochure. But if you're an employee in Germany and just pack up your laptop and fly away, you're underestimating the crucial step: choosing the right destination. Not every city that looks good on Instagram is suitable for concentrated work, reliable video calls and a problem-free return to the team.
According to the Appinio Travel Report 2024, around 20 percent of those surveyed are specifically planning an Workation, and another 26 percent are toying with the idea. The demand is there. What's often missing is a structured overview - and that's exactly what this article provides: real numbers, a complete comparison table and an honest calculation.
Workation is not a vacation — and that is exactly the opportunity
You work your regular hours, just in a better place. If you consciously structure your day, you come back with more energy and clarity. This is exactly the principle behind it Elevation effect.
01Why the choice of destination is crucial
A Workation rarely fails due to motivation. It fails due to poor WiFi at 9:30 a.m. shortly before the team call. There is a two-hour time difference that turns every morning meeting into an evening appointment. In accommodation that is wonderful for vacationers, but completely unsuitable for everyday working life.
The TUI Workation Index 2025 analyzed 50 cities worldwide based on ten criteria: internet speed, coworking density, rental prices, time zone, security and more. European cities consistently perform better as Far Eastern or South American alternatives - especially because of the proximity to the time zone and the reliable infrastructure. This is a basic requirement for employees who have to function in the German work rhythm every day.
02The 5 criteria that employees really need to pay attention to
Internet quality & -stability
At least 20-30 Mbit/s upload and download for HD video calls, from 50 Mbit/s for cloud work. The best EU targets reach 90 to 300+ Mbps. Before Booking, ask specifically about the connection type (fiber optic, DSL, LTE).
Time zone relative to Germany
More than an hour of offset is still manageable, two hours creates friction. Portugal & Canary Islands: −1h. Greece & Cyprus: +1h. Mainland Spain, Italy, Croatia and Malta: identical.
Coworking as a backup
A reliable coworking space is the most important protection against WiFi failure and noise. Lisbon: 23 spaces per 100,000 inhabitants, Porto: 20, Brussels even 52.
Real cost of living
Numbeo values correspond to the local average. Short-term rentals for Workationers cost 30-50% more. There is also coworking, international health insurance and flights. Calculate realistically.
A1 control risk of the target country
France, Austria and Belgium are considered high control countries. Portugal, Croatia and Greece have significantly lower inspection volumes. Regardless of this, the requirement for an A1 certificate applies everywhere.