Over the last three years that I have lived in Lisbon, it seems to have become a bit of a capital for digital nomads, remote workers, and travellers too.
It’s the perfect spot in Europe for those working remotely on US hours because of the time zone (Portugal is the only country on Western European Standard Time, which is five hours ahead of New York, as opposed to Spain, France and Germany which are all six hours ahead).
Portugal has also been very open to remote workers and immigrants since the pandemic, and were the first in Europe to start accepting remote workers into the country on a passive income visa. Now, with the introduction of two different digital nomad visas, it’s easier than ever to make the move.
These are just a couple of reasons why remote workers are flocking to Portugal, but Lisbon in particular is booming with an already established tourism industry, high levels of spoken English, and great internet connection city-wide.
Contents
- The Best Coworking Spaces in Lisbon
- Croissant, the App for Coworking Spaces
- The Best Coworking Spaces in Lisbon
- Coworking in Lisbon FAQs
- Conclusion
The Best Coworking Spaces in Lisbon
Coworking spaces in Lisbon are becoming busier than ever, and more are popping up every single year.
I know that some people can work from anywhere, but that’s not me. I need to feel comfortable in a coworking space, and I have to be honest, there are some places I’ve tried in Lisbon that just weren’t for me, whether it was rude staff, no phone booths (in my opinion you need phone booths to call yourself a coworking space!), or just a weird vibe. I won’t mention those in this article, because many of them were clearly popular which means they’re well-suited to some people, and anyway, I’m not in the business of bad-mouthing companies.
You might be thinking “how has this woman tried seemingly every coworking space in Lisbon?”.
I actually haven’t bought a single monthly, weekly or daily pass to any of these coworking spaces. I quite like to move around, work from home, or work from cafes, and spending a whole day in a coworking doesn’t suite me. I quite like to head down for the morning and go home at lunch, or work from a cafe and then pop into a coworking to do meetings.
Sometimes I choose the coworking space I want to go to, and other times I just go to the one that’s closest to me.
But how do you plan you day like that, when it costs 15-20€ per day for a coworking space?
In some places, you can buy a half-day for 10€, but that’s even worse value for money.
Introducing Croissant, the coworking app.
Croissant, the App for Coworking Spaces
Croissant is the coworking app that lets you pay for coworking spaces by hour, rather than by the day. It works on a subscription basis; you buy a set number of hours per month (either 10, 40 or 100 hours), and you can redeem them in hundreds of coworking spaces on their network all over the world.
How does it work?
At the beginning of each month, the number of hours on your subscription appear in your account. When you “check in” to a coworking space, it starts to count down how many minutes and hours you’ve spent in that space (so remember to “check out” when you leave!). If you run out of hours, you can buy more. If you don’t use up all of your hours, they roll over to the next month. (I’ve been back in the UK this month for Christmas, so I have a lot of hours to use up in January).
What if I want to bring a friend?
Depending on your plan, you get a set number of hours that you can use to bring a friend.
What if the coworking space is full?
Before you arrive, you can hold a seat for yourself to make sure there’s one waiting for you. If the coworking space is full, the app will tell you before you go.
Where are the coworking spaces?
The coworking spaces are mostly in big cities, at the moment. I’ve been to spaces in Lisbon, Madrid, Barcelona and London, but they are in major cities around the world and their network is constantly expanding.
The app is super easy to use, and every coworking space I’ve checked into has been really friendly and helpful, too.
Use my link here to get 15€ off your first month!
The Best Coworking Spaces in Lisbon
Avila Spaces – Atrium Saldanha
If you’re in the Saldanha area, you actually have two Avila Spaces to choose from, and they’re both fantastic. The Atrium Saldanha location is particularly impressive with its open, airy layout that really encourages interaction between coworkers. I love how bright and social the atmosphere is here. They’re super generous with the amenities too – free tea and coffee all day, and if you’re lucky, you might catch them putting out complimentary cakes in the morning! The only slight downside is that it’s located inside a mall, which means you’ll need to use the mall bathrooms that are a bit of a trek away.
Avila Spaces – Republica
I have to say, this is one of my absolute favorite spots in Lisbon! During these chilly winter months, I particularly appreciate how they always keep the heating running – it’s like a warm hug when you walk in. Just like their other locations, they offer free tea and coffee, and those morning cake surprises are always a treat. What really sets this place apart though is the staff – they consistently go above and beyond to make sure you’re comfortable and have everything you need.
LACS Anjos
This is another one of my top picks in the city. The space is absolutely gorgeous, with tons of natural light flooding in through the windows. While they don’t have a proper kitchen setup (which is a bit of a bummer), they do provide hot water and free tea, plus there’s a vending machine if you need a quick snack. What I really appreciate about LACS Anjos is how they’ve organized the space – you can choose between quiet desk areas for focused work or comfy sofa areas for calls, and of course, they have phone booths when you need complete privacy.
Time to Cowork
The location of this space is absolutely perfect! But what really makes it stand out is how incredibly friendly the staff are. Similar to LACS Anjos, they’ve done a great job with the layout, offering both quiet desk areas and more relaxed sofa spaces for different types of work. And yes, they’ve got those essential phone booths too – because we all know how important those are!
Avila Spaces – Parque das Nações
Avila Spaces has really nailed the coworking concept across Lisbon, and their Parque das Nacoes location is no exception. The space is warm and welcoming, with plenty of phone booths available when you need them. They’ve got an interesting setup with an in-house coffee shop, which definitely adds to the atmosphere, but I have to admit, I miss having the free tea and coffee that you get at their other locations. Still, it’s a solid choice if you’re in this part of town.
Heden Rossio
Heden Rossio is one of the more modern coworking spaces I’ve visited in Lisbon. The space is huge, with plenty of private offices scattered around the main areas. What I really love about this place is how friendly the staff are – they always make you feel welcome from the moment you walk in. One thing to note though: the space can get quite chilly, especially during winter months, so I’d definitely recommend bringing a sweater!
FAQs About Coworking in Lisbon
How much does it cost to work in a coworking space in Lisbon?
Coworking spaces in Lisbon typically charge between €15-20 for a day pass, with monthly memberships ranging from €100-250 depending on the location and amenities. Some spaces offer half-day passes for around €10, though this often provides less value for money. Using apps like Croissant can help reduce costs by allowing you to pay by the hour instead.
Are there free coworking spaces in Lisbon?
While there aren’t any completely free coworking spaces in Lisbon, many cafes and public libraries welcome remote workers. The Biblioteca de Marvila and BiblioCafe at the Municipal Library are popular spots for working, though they don’t offer dedicated workspace amenities like phone booths or meeting rooms.
Are there coworking hostels in Lisbon?
The Selina hostel in Lisbon offers an excellent coworking space that’s particularly popular with digital nomads. It has a very social atmosphere and often hosts community events, making it perfect for networking. While the workspace itself is professional and well-equipped, it definitely has more of a casual, digital nomad vibe compared to traditional coworking spaces.
Do I need to speak Portuguese to use coworking spaces in Lisbon?
Not at all! Lisbon has high levels of spoken English, particularly in professional settings like coworking spaces. Staff members are typically bilingual, and the majority of people in coworking spaces are speaking English in their jobs (although you will sometimes hear other languages, too).
Which areas in Lisbon have the best coworking spaces?
You’ll find excellent coworking spaces throughout Lisbon, but particularly in central areas like Saldanha, Anjos, and Rossio. The Parque das Nações area is also becoming increasingly popular with remote workers due to its modern infrastructure and good transport links.
Conclusion
I’m constantly exploring new coworking spaces around Lisbon, and I’ll make sure to update this guide as I discover more gems in the city. If you’re planning to try any of these spaces out, remember you can use Croissant to check them out without committing to a full day pass!