Lisbon’s Startup Boom and the Rise of Coworking Spaces

How Lisbon’s Growing Startup Ecosystem Is Transforming the Way We Work

Lisbon is becoming one of Europe’s most exciting destinations for entrepreneurs, startups and international businesses. Its growing innovation ecosystem, international connections and entrepreneurial culture are attracting professionals from around the world.

As the city’s startup community expands, demand for flexible working environments is growing alongside it. Coworking in Lisbon offers entrepreneurs and businesses a practical alternative to traditional offices, combining professional facilities with adaptable working arrangements.

According to Startup Portugal’s 2025 Startup & Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Report, Portugal had 5,091 active startups, an 8% increase compared with 2024. Lisbon accounted for approximately 45% of the national total.

These figures highlight the growing importance of Portugal’s capital as an entrepreneurial centre.

However, successful business development requires more than investment and innovative ideas. Startups also need professional environments where teams can collaborate, build relationships and adapt as their businesses evolve.

This is where flexible workspaces are making a difference.

Lisbon’s Growing Startup Ecosystem

Lisbon’s entrepreneurial growth reflects years of investment in innovation, technology and business development.

The city has developed a network of startups, incubators, investors and international professionals. Together, they contribute to an increasingly connected business environment.

Portugal’s startup economy generated approximately €2.86 billion in turnover during 2025 and employed around 28,000 people, according to Startup Portugal.

Moreover, many Portuguese startups operate internationally, reinforcing Lisbon’s position within Europe’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Supporting Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Several organisations contribute to Lisbon’s startup ecosystem.

Startup Portugal supports entrepreneurship through initiatives that encourage innovation and business growth.

Meanwhile, Startup Lisboa and Unicorn Factory Lisboa provide entrepreneurs with access to mentoring, professional networks and business development opportunities.

These organisations help connect emerging companies with investors, established businesses and experienced professionals.

For entrepreneurs establishing operations in Lisbon, access to this wider ecosystem can be valuable.

Nevertheless, growing businesses must also manage costs, recruit talent and maintain operational flexibility.

Choosing the right workspace is therefore an important part of their development strategy.

Web Summit and Lisbon’s International Visibility

Lisbon’s international reputation has also benefited from hosting Web Summit since 2016.

The 2025 event welcomed 71,386 attendees from 157 countries, including 2,725 exhibiting startups and 1,857 investors.

The conference brings together entrepreneurs, technology companies, investors and business leaders from around the world.

For Lisbon, its importance extends beyond the event itself.

Web Summit contributes to the city’s international visibility and encourages connections between local businesses and global innovation communities.

However, Lisbon’s entrepreneurial activity continues throughout the year.

Its established business networks, innovation programmes and professional communities support startups at different stages of growth.

As a result, demand for adaptable working environments extends well beyond major business events.

Why Coworking in Lisbon Is Growing

The rise of coworking in Lisbon reflects changing expectations about where and how people work.

Traditional offices remain relevant, particularly for businesses requiring permanent facilities.

However, conventional leases may not suit startups, international companies or teams with changing space requirements.

Flexible workspaces provide an alternative.

According to Savills’ 2025 research, Lisbon’s flexible office market recorded average annual growth of approximately 26% over the period analysed.

Together, Lisbon and Porto accounted for approximately 150,000 square metres of coworking and flexible office space, offering around 20,000 workstations.

These figures demonstrate how flexible working has become an established part of Portugal’s commercial property market.

Flexible Offices for Startups and Growing Businesses

For startups, managing resources effectively is essential.

A traditional office often involves significant upfront costs, long-term commitments and ongoing operational responsibilities.

By comparison, coworking spaces and serviced offices can provide professional facilities through more adaptable arrangements.

Businesses can choose workspace solutions according to their immediate requirements.

These may include:

• Coworking desks: Shared working environments for freelancers, entrepreneurs and small teams.
• Private offices: Dedicated workspaces for businesses requiring greater privacy.
• Meeting rooms: Professional facilities for presentations, interviews and client meetings.
• Day passes: Temporary workspace access for professionals visiting Lisbon.
• Virtual offices: Business address services without maintaining a permanent physical office.

For international businesses entering Portugal, flexible workspaces can also provide a practical starting point.

Rather than committing immediately to a conventional lease, companies can establish a working presence while assessing their longer-term requirements.

Supporting Remote and Hybrid Working

Remote and hybrid working arrangements have also influenced demand for flexible offices.

Professionals increasingly require workplaces that support both individual productivity and face-to-face collaboration.

For example, a remote worker may need a quiet environment for focused tasks.

Meanwhile, a distributed team may require meeting facilities for occasional in-person collaboration.

Coworking spaces can accommodate these different needs without requiring every professional to maintain a permanent office.

Consequently, flexible working environments are becoming relevant to a broader range of businesses.

Beyond the Desk: The Value of Coworking Communities

Coworking offers more than access to office furniture and internet connectivity.

Well-designed shared workspaces can encourage professional interaction, collaboration and networking.

For entrepreneurs arriving in a new city, these opportunities may be particularly valuable.

Working alongside professionals from different industries can lead to new perspectives, useful introductions and potential business relationships.

Creating Opportunities for Collaboration

Communal lounges, shared tables and informal meeting areas can encourage conversations between professionals.

Networking activities and community events can also help members establish connections.

For startups, these interactions may provide access to different experiences and expertise.

For international businesses, they can offer opportunities to become familiar with Lisbon’s professional environment.

However, a successful coworking community depends on more than simply bringing people into the same building.

Thoughtful workspace design and opportunities for meaningful interaction are equally important.

Workspaces Designed Around Modern Professionals

Different working activities require different environments.

Some professionals need quiet areas for concentration. Others benefit from collaborative tables, meeting rooms or comfortable spaces for informal discussions.

Therefore, flexible workspace design should accommodate a variety of working styles.

The most suitable coworking space is not necessarily the largest.

Instead, it is the environment that best supports the needs of the individuals and teams using it.

Discover Avila Spaces: Coworking in Lisbon

One example of Lisbon’s established flexible workspace sector is Avila Spaces, an eOffice eNetwork partner offering professional working environments across three locations in the Portuguese capital.

Founded in 2004, Avila Spaces has developed its services around coworking, private offices, meeting facilities and virtual office solutions.

The company was recognised as World’s Best Coworking Space at the 2023 Global Startup Awards.

Its approach combines professional workspace facilities with community, contemporary design and adaptable working arrangements.

Through the eOffice eNetwork, professionals can explore three Avila Spaces locations in Lisbon.

Atrium Saldanha: A Central Business Location

Located in Praça Duque de Saldanha, Avila Spaces Atrium Saldanha provides a professional working environment in one of Lisbon’s established business districts.

Its proximity to Saldanha Metro station makes it convenient for professionals travelling across the city.

The workspace includes shared working areas, individual workstations, meeting facilities and informal seating.

Dedicated areas for telephone calls also support professionals who require greater privacy during the working day.

For entrepreneurs and international companies seeking a central location, Atrium Saldanha combines accessibility with adaptable workspace facilities.

Explore Avila Spaces Atrium Saldanha through eOffice.

Avenida da República: Flexible Working and Community

Avila Spaces Avenida da República is located along one of Lisbon’s principal business avenues.

Its contemporary coworking environment combines shared working areas with comfortable seating and communal facilities.

The location also features an outdoor terrace, providing an additional setting for informal conversations and professional interaction.

For remote professionals, freelancers and smaller teams, this variety can make the working day more adaptable.

The workspace reflects the growing importance of combining productivity with opportunities for collaboration.

Discover Avila Spaces Avenida da República on eOffice.

Parque das Nações: A Contemporary Business District

Avila Spaces Parque das Nações offers another option for professionals seeking coworking in Lisbon.

Parque das Nações has developed into an important commercial district, combining modern office buildings, business facilities and transport connections.

Its proximity to Oriente Station makes the area particularly convenient for professionals travelling within Lisbon or arriving from other Portuguese cities.

The Avila Spaces location features contemporary shared working areas, comfortable seating and communal facilities.

For businesses looking beyond Lisbon’s traditional central business districts, Parque das Nações provides an alternative professional environment.

Explore Avila Spaces Parque das Nações through eOffice.

Instant Booking Across All Three Lisbon Locations

For entrepreneurs, remote workers and business travellers, convenience is an important consideration when choosing a workspace.

Professional requirements can change quickly, particularly when travelling or managing international operations.

All three Avila Spaces locations in Lisbon feature eOffice Instant Booking, allowing customers to book eligible workspace services online.

This makes it easier to arrange professional workspace access without lengthy booking procedures.

Whether visiting Lisbon for business or organising flexible working arrangements, professionals can explore the available options through eOffice.

Individual services, prices and availability depend on the selected location.

Discover Avila Spaces in Lisbon and explore Instant Booking through eOffice.

Choosing the Right Coworking Space in Lisbon

With different flexible workspace options available, choosing the right environment depends on your professional requirements.

Location is often an important starting point.

Professionals meeting clients regularly may prefer a central business district. Others may prioritise transport connections or proximity to particular business communities.

Before selecting a workspace, consider:

• Location and accessibility: Is the workspace convenient for your daily activities?
• Working environment: Does it provide suitable areas for concentration and collaboration?
• Facilities: Are meeting rooms, private areas or other services available when needed?
• Flexibility: Can the workspace arrangement adapt as your requirements change?
• Community: Does the environment offer opportunities for professional interaction?
• Booking convenience: Can you arrange workspace access easily?

Comparing these factors can help entrepreneurs and businesses make informed decisions.

It is also important to review the services and conditions associated with each workspace.

Find Flexible Workspaces in Lisbon with eOffice

For international professionals, finding suitable workspace in an unfamiliar city can take time.

The eOffice eNetwork connects businesses with independent flexible workspace providers across international markets.

Its global network offers access to professional working environments, including coworking desks, private offices, meeting rooms and virtual office services.

In Lisbon, the partnership with Avila Spaces provides access to three distinctive locations.

Whether you are launching a startup, visiting for business or organising workspace for a distributed team, eOffice helps you explore relevant options.

With Instant Booking available across all three Avila Spaces locations, arranging eligible workspace services can be straightforward.

The Future of Coworking in Lisbon

Lisbon’s startup boom and the growth of its coworking market reflect broader changes in the way businesses operate.

As entrepreneurs establish new companies and international organisations explore opportunities in Portugal, flexible working environments are becoming increasingly relevant.

Coworking is no longer associated exclusively with freelancers or early-stage startups.

Today, it also supports established businesses, hybrid teams and professionals working across international markets.

Providers such as Avila Spaces demonstrate how contemporary workspace design, professional services and community-focused environments can respond to these changing requirements.

For businesses considering Lisbon, the right workspace can provide a professional foundation while maintaining the flexibility needed for future growth.

Explore Avila Spaces through eOffice and discover flexible coworking in Lisbon, with Instant Booking available at Atrium Saldanha, Avenida da República and Parque das Nações.