The United Kingdom has maintained its position as the most mature flexible office market in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, according to a report by Cushman & Wakefield. The report, titled Global Trends in Flexible Office 2026, analyzed 16 markets in the region and awarded the UK a maturity score of 94%. This score takes into account factors such as the proportion of flexible space in total offices, the number of operators, occupied area, and owner involvement.
France secured the second spot with a maturity score of 92%, while the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates showed significant improvement, with scores of 82% and 77%, respectively. The report noted that these markets benefited from the strong relationship between flexible offices and artificial intelligence companies. This year, the report added two new indicators related to AI, highlighting its growing impact on the flexible office market.
The study revealed a trend towards consolidation in the sector, with the three largest operators now having a medium or high market share in 93% of the markets analyzed, up from 70% the previous year. According to Cushman & Wakefield, larger operators are better positioned to secure prime locations and support increasing setup and operational costs. Additionally, owners are becoming more involved in the business, with two-thirds of markets showing significant activity through management contracts.
The report also found that 71% of markets have a high supply of flexible spaces managed directly by owners, up from 53% in 2025. The difference between markets is increasing, with highly occupied flexible office markets rising from 23% to 36% of the total, while low-activity markets also increased from 38% to 43%. The ongoing lack of supply is driving demand for flexible offices, with European office development at 10.3 million square meters in the second quarter of 2026, the lowest since 2011.
Flexible offices are being used to support business growth, facilitate transitions between leases, and provide immediate access to office space without the need for costly and time-consuming renovations. The report noted that AI is emerging as a new source of demand, with around a fifth of analyzed markets having over 50 AI companies installed in flexible spaces. This trend is particularly evident in Portugal, where demand for flexible offices is growing, especially in Lisbon and Porto.
In Portugal, the demand for flexible offices is driven by the shift towards hybrid work and companies' need for greater flexibility. Multinational companies setting up shared service centers in the country often use flexible offices as an entry point into the market. According to António Almeida Ribeiro, Head of Office Leasing at Cushman & Wakefield in Portugal, flexible offices provide the necessary flexibility for companies to test the market, start operations, and grow their teams.
Ribeiro added that in Lisbon and Porto, the demand for high-quality flexible offices in central areas is so strong that availability is scarce. The trend towards flexible offices is expected to continue, driven by the ongoing need for adaptability and the growing presence of AI companies in these spaces. As the market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how flexible offices adapt to meet the changing needs of businesses and employees.
Key points
- The UK has a 94% maturity score in the flexible office market, the highest in EMEA.
- The flexible office market is becoming increasingly consolidated, with larger operators securing prime locations.
- AI companies are driving demand for flexible offices, with around a fifth of analyzed markets having over 50 AI companies installed in these spaces.
