The market for flexible office space is facing a new phase of expansion – and at the same time further professionalisation. According to the Flexmark report by Savills-owned platform Workthere, 85% of operators surveyed globally plan to expand their offering in 2026. The main driver of this development is a change on the demand side: large companies (corporates) are replacing start-ups as the dominant user group and are increasingly demanding partnership-based contract structures.
Corporates as the new main user group
According to the study, the market for flexible office space is playing an increasingly important role in the real estate strategies of multinational corporations. Companies with more than 100 employees already account for 47% of all Flex users worldwide, up from just 13% five years ago. This trend is particularly pronounced in top European markets such as Berlin, Machester and Warsaw, where corporate users already account for more than 50% of the flex spaces used. The increased demand from both global and national companies underscores the strategic shift towards scalable workplace solutions that enable agility in an uncertain economic environment.
Cal Lee, Global Head of Workthere, comments: “The demand for flexible workspaces has increased significantly in recent years as more established companies realise the benefits that flexibility can offer them. Real estate decisions around the world are influenced by general economic factors, and the ability to be flexible is becoming increasingly valuable.”
Management agreements on the rise – also in Germany
Parallel to the change in demand, the contract models are changing. Traditional leases are becoming less important, while management agreements and hybrid models are gaining momentum. In Europe, the share of operators expanding through such models increased from 45% in 2023 to 63% in 2025. A further increase to over 70% is expected for 2026. In Germany, too, more and more landlords and owners are examining these partnership models.
“Overall, we are also aware of the developments in Germany. The growth of providers and the increasing demand for management agreements are closely related, as these models allow for expansion with reduced risk and lower capital investment. Owners participate in the operators’ revenues and, ideally, can achieve higher returns than with a classic rental,” explains Daniel Jessop, Head of Workthere Germany, referring to structural hurdles: “Due to the more volatile revenue streams, owners in this country are often even more reluctant – especially for assets in managed funds with strict regulations, implementation is complex. Nevertheless, we are seeing increasingly successful examples of management agreements on the German market as well.”
