Athens Among Top 15 Cities Globally for Remote Work and Vacation

Tokyo has been named the world’s top city for combining remote work and vacation in 2025, according to the third annual “Work from Anywhere Barometer” published by the International Workplace Group (IWG). The Japanese capital surpassed strong competition from cities like Rio de Janeiro and last year’s winner, Budapest.

Meanwhile, Athens continues its upward trajectory, securing the 12th spot among 40 international cities — a testament to its appeal as a destination that blends quality of life, culture, and remote work infrastructure.

The Top 10 Cities for Workations in 2025

Cities were assessed based on 12 key criteria, including:

• climate,
• broadband speed,
• availability of flexible workspaces,
• and accessibility and cost of digital nomad visas.

This year’s index also introduced new factors such as proximity to beaches, mountains, or national parks.

According to IWG, the Top 10 cities for 2025 are:

1. Tokyo
2. Rio de Janeiro
3. Budapest
4. Seoul
5. Barcelona
6. Beijing
7. Lisbon
8. Rome
9. Paris
10. Valletta

Why Tokyo Leads the Way

Tokyo’s top ranking is driven by:

• its exceptional broadband infrastructure,
• efficient transport networks,
• high safety standards,
• and vibrant cultural scene.

Notably, a new digital nomad visa introduced in April 2024 allows foreigners to live and work in Japan for up to 12 months at a competitive cost. Additionally, Tokyo offers easy access to coastal, mountainous, and natural areas, making it ideal for hybrid workers seeking a balance between urban life and nature.

New Entrants in the Top 10

Four cities made their debut in the Top 10 this year:

• Seoul (4th) scored high for broadband speed, public transport, and its simplified digital nomad visa process.
• Rome (8th) stood out for its cuisine, historical landmarks, and the newly implemented Italian digital nomad visa(January 2025).
• Paris (9th) impressed with its coworking options and rich cultural offerings, though it remains a costly destination.
• Valletta (10th) joined the elite list due to its Mediterranean climate, compact size, and historical charm.

Flexibility Reshapes Work-Life Balance

The report finds that 60% of hybrid workers are now more likely to extend their holidays to continue working remotely — a sharp increase compared to last year.

As hybrid work becomes the norm, many professionals are embracing the freedom to work from wherever they feel most productive — whether it’s close to home or thousands of miles away.

“We’ve never seen so many people extending their travel to work remotely or choosing to live abroad as digital nomads,” said Mark Dixon, CEO and founder of IWG. “This isn’t a short-term trend. More companies are adapting their policies to enable location-independent work, especially during the summer months.”

A Decline in Global Labor Mobility

Despite the growing popularity of remote work, a recent analysis by job search platform Indeed shows that global interest in working abroad has declined sharply between 2024 and 2025 — reverting to pre-pandemic levels.

Corey Stahl, an economist at Indeed, noted:“We’re seeing much less dynamic global labor mobility overall.”

Additionally, a Randstad survey of 5,000 workers globally revealed that two-thirds prioritize job security and employability over the freedom to work remotely. More than half said they would rather have control over their working hours than their physical work location.

Source: pagenews.gr