Remote workers are drifting back toward cities despite flexible policies

New global hiring data shows that the pandemic-era shift away from urban centres is reversing. Average employee-to-city distance has declined each year since 2022, even as remote and hybrid policies remain widespread. Workers are choosing urban proximity – not because they have to commute, but for lifestyle, networking, and career reasons.

This matters for the remote work landscape in Europe. The trend doesn’t mean remote work is dying – flexible policies are more entrenched than ever. But it does suggest that “escape to the countryside” was a pandemic-era anomaly for many, not a permanent lifestyle shift. Cities with strong digital infrastructure, coworking scenes, and international communities – like Lisbon, Barcelona, and Amsterdam – stand to benefit most.

For remote workers making location decisions, the takeaway is nuanced: you can work from anywhere, but most people are choosing somewhere with urban energy nearby.