The flexible office market in Madrid and Barcelona is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by Spain’s strong economic climate and the evolving needs of modern businesses. According to a recent Savills report, flexible workspaces in Spain’s two largest cities are set to surpass 550,000 square metres by 2025. While this currently represents just a small fraction of total office stock—2.1% in Madrid and 3.4% in Barcelona—the growth trend shows no sign of slowing down.
Why the Boom in Flexible Offices?
Businesses are increasingly seeking alternatives to conventional long-term leases, opting instead for adaptable contracts without hefty implementation costs. The freedom to scale up or down and the ability to avoid multi-year commitments are especially attractive as Spain’s business scene thrives. Over 96,500 new companies were registered between July 2024 and July 2025, fueling demand for agile workspaces.
For startups and fast-growing firms, flexible offices—or coworking spaces—offer the ideal solution: affordable rates, multidisciplinary environments, and contracts that make it easy to adjust to shifting market circumstances. In fact, nearly half (48%) of flexible office contracts have a one-year term, highlighting the appeal of short-term commitments.
Who’s Leading the Market?
Major players such as IWG (including Regus and Spaces), Merlin’s Loom, WeWork, Aticco, and Colonial’s Utopicus dominate the sector. Together, these firms manage 60% of Madrid’s flex office area, with IWG holding a 32% market share. WeWork stands out for operating the largest average centers in both cities, emphasizing a strategy of leasing substantial spaces.
Spanish flex office pioneers like Aticco, Monday, and Cloudworks are gaining ground through both traditional leases and innovative management contracts, while property owners are launching their own flex brands to attract and retain tenants.
How Businesses Are Using Flex Spaces
The average contract size in Madrid from January to June 2025 is about 30 workstations, rising to 43 in Barcelona. Flexible offices are being used as temporary transition spaces during moves, as overflow for conventional offices, for temporary project expansions, or as permanent homes for small businesses seeking agility and value.
Trends show that the demand for small conventional offices is declining. In 2017, Madrid offices under 200 sqm made up 14% of all leasing activity; by 2025, they account for just 9.2%. Barcelona saw an even sharper drop for offices under 100 sqm, from 10% in 2017 down to 4.2% in 2025. This points to a clear shift toward flexible workspaces.
Competitive Pricing and New Tenants
Madrid and Barcelona remain extremely competitive in price: the average monthly cost per workstation is €604 in Madrid and €475 in Barcelona’s prime areas, compared to €1,400 in London. This affordability makes Spanish cities increasingly appealing for international businesses.
The flex office sector, once dominated by tech and startups, is now attracting a more diverse mix of tenants—including life sciences, digital health, commerce, and distribution companies. In particular, sectors like life sciences are seeking space in hubs like Tres Cantos, while logistics firms are looking to business parks in the Henares Corridor.
Outlook
With a solid economy and increasing entrepreneurial activity, flexible office space in Madrid and Barcelona is set for continued expansion. Businesses value the adaptability and cost savings flex spaces provide, while landlords see them as a way to enhance asset value and tenant retention.
For companies navigating uncertainty and rapid change, Madrid and Barcelona’s flexible offices offer the perfect balance of agility, value, and strategic location—cementing Spain’s position as a hub for business innovation in 2025 and beyond.
