Remote & Relaxed: The 5 Best Workation Destinations in Europe

What Exactly is a Workation?

A workation is the perfect combination of work and vacation: You work remotely while enjoying the atmosphere of a dream travel destination. Even though it’s not a traditional vacation, a workation allows you to break free from the daily grind and recharge your energy.

The term "workation" is a blend of the words "work" and "vacation" and describes the combination of both. In practice, this means relocating your workplace to an attractive location, often a vacation spot. During a workation, employees have the opportunity to work from abroad and, for example, spend more time with family. For companies and employees in Switzerland, a workation is an exciting option, as many European destinations offer sunshine, a great work-life balance, and minimal time zone differences. By offering workations, companies position themselves as attractive employers and become particularly appealing to talents who highly value work-life balance. Additionally, employees who enjoy flexibility in their work arrangements tend to be more satisfied and loyal to their employers. A workation can therefore also contribute to long-term employee retention.

The Best Workation Destinations in Europe

Pleasant temperatures, picturesque landscapes, vibrant culture, and high quality of life – these are the main reasons why these destinations are ideal for a workation in spring and summer. Moreover, the time difference to Switzerland remains minimal, allowing employees to work within their usual hours. Here are our top destinations for a workation in spring and summer:

Barcelona 🇪🇸

• Weekly budget: Approx. 600–1,000 CHF

• Things to do: Visit the Sagrada Família, explore Park Güell, relax at Barceloneta Beach, enjoy tapas in the El Born district

• Weather: Spring 15–22°C, Summer 25–32°C

• Car needed? No, excellent public transport

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Culture, beaches, and work opportunities)

Barcelona uniquely combines city life, beach access, and rich culture. With numerous co-working spaces, trendy cafés, and a thriving startup scene, the Catalan metropolis is perfect for a workation. While working efficiently during the day, you can take breaks by the beach and explore Gaudí’s stunning architecture after work. The lively food scene with tapas bars and food markets provides great culinary variety. Thanks to excellent transport connections, you can also quickly reach the stunning beaches of Costa Brava or the Penedès wine region.

Lisbon 🇵🇹

• Weekly budget: Approx. 550–950 CHF

• Things to do: Explore the historic Alfama district, visit Torre de Belém, ride the famous Tram 28, enjoy the view from Miradouro de Santa Catarina

• Weather: Spring 15–22°C, Summer 25–30°C

• Car needed? No, well-developed public transport

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Vibrant culture, ocean views, and good value for money)

Lisbon has become a hotspot for digital nomads in recent years. The Portuguese capital offers a perfect mix of tradition and modernity, a vibrant community of remote workers, and numerous co-working spaces with ocean views. Besides its affordability, Lisbon impresses with breathtaking sunsets on the coast and plenty of excursions to nearby destinations like Cascais, Sintra, or the Algarve. The city’s unique tile architecture, relaxing Fado music, and Mediterranean flair make it an inspiring place to work.

Tuscany 🇮🇹

• Weekly budget: Approx. 750–1,200 CHF

• Things to do: Wine tastings in Chianti, visits to Florence and Siena, exploring the hot springs in Saturnia, strolling through the Tuscan hills

• Weather: Spring 14–22°C, Summer 25–35°C

• Car needed? Yes, to explore the countryside

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (Nature, food & wine, not necessarily coastal)

Tuscany’s rolling hills, idyllic vineyards, and charming villages create a peaceful and inspiring work environment. Working in historic cities like Florence or Siena, enjoying relaxed afternoons in Chianti’s vineyards, and exploring cultural highlights like the Uffizi Gallery or the Leaning Tower of Pisa make a workation here especially appealing. The culinary delights, such as fresh pasta, premium olive oil, and creamy gelato, complete the experience.

Split 🇭🇷

• Weekly budget: Approx. 650–1,000 CHF

• Things to do: Visit Diocletian’s Palace, take a boat tour to Hvar, relax on Brač’s beaches, explore Krka National Park

• Weather: Spring 15–23°C, Summer 26–34°C

• Car needed? No, but recommended for excursions

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (Stunning coast, good digital nomad infrastructure)

Split’s Dalmatian coast offers a perfect combination of breathtaking landscapes, great digital nomad infrastructure, and a Mediterranean lifestyle. With a view of the Adriatic Sea, fast internet, and numerous co-working spaces, Split is an attractive workation destination. After work, you can take boat trips to Hvar and Brač or explore Split’s historic old town. The Mediterranean cuisine with fresh seafood, olive oil, and local wines adds to the experience.

Madeira 🇵🇹

• Weekly budget: Approx. 600–1,100 CHF

• Things to do: Hike along the Levadas, visit Pico Ruivo, enjoy the coastline in Funchal, explore volcanic landscapes

• Weather: Spring 18–24°C, Summer 22–28°C

• Car needed? Yes, to explore the island

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Nature, outdoor activities, pleasant climate)

Madeira is a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The Portuguese island boasts breathtaking green mountains, dramatic cliffs, and a subtropical climate. With stable internet, modern co-working spaces, and a relaxed atmosphere, Madeira is an excellent choice for a productive workation.

Conclusion: Why Choose a Workation with Vamoz?

Whether it's Barcelona, Lisbon, Tuscany, Split, Madeira, or another European destination – all these places offer Swiss remote workers the perfect opportunity to spend spring and summer in an inspiring location. Vamoz can support you in making all the necessary preparations, including legal assessments, risk evaluation, and the organization of required documents. With our support, you can enjoy your workation worry-free!

If you want to learn more about the benefits of workations for both employees and employers, check out our blog post here.

FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Workations

1. Do I need special permission for a workation abroad?
Legally, there is no entitlement to a workation – the stay must be approved by your employer. Whether approval is granted depends on the destination country, specific conditions, individual employee factors, and the terms of your employment contract.
In most cases, no special permission is required as long as you continue working for your employer in Switzerland. However, you should clarify in advance whether your stay entails any legal or administrative risks.

2. Is there a maximum duration for a workation?
There is no general maximum duration for workations, as the permitted length of stay depends on tax, immigration, and social security regulations, which can vary based on the destination and individual circumstances.

3. Who covers the costs of a workation?
The costs of a workation should always be covered by the employee and not by the employer, as it is a personal trip rather than a business trip. If the employer covers the costs, this may have tax implications.

4. What technical requirements do I need for a workation?
A stable internet connection is essential. It is advisable to research coworking spaces or accommodations with reliable Wi-Fi in advance. Additionally, a VPN connection, a good headset, and an ergonomic workspace can be helpful.

5. Are there legal restrictions for a workation?
A workation involves various legal risks across multiple areas, including immigration and visa regulations, tax law, social security law, data protection, and labor law. Since each case is unique, a thorough review should be conducted before approval to avoid potential legal and administrative consequences.

6. How can I find the best workation destinations?
The best destinations offer good infrastructure, stable internet, a pleasant work-life balance, and an inspiring environment. Our blog post introduces some of the most attractive workation destinations in Europe.

7. How does a workation differ from digital nomadism?
A workation is temporary and is typically used by employees working remotely from abroad for a limited time. Digital nomads, on the other hand, are permanently location-independent and often work as freelancers or self-employed professionals.

8. How can Vamoz support me with my workation?
Vamoz helps you with all necessary preparations, including legal assessments, risk evaluations, and the organization of required documents. With our support, you can enjoy your workation worry-free!