September brings early mornings, traffic, and the practical stuff of office life. Many cling to the routine, yet more people admit the alarm clock wins. Telework, boosted by recent years, has extended the idea of bringing the office on the road. It is work combined with vacation, a concept that helps prevent post-holiday mood and its symptoms, a challenge that affects a significant share of workers in Spain.
A survey from Adecco shows that nearly half of companies offer remote options in some roles. The benefits are clear: time and cost saved on travel, and better balance between work and family. Yet many are not seeking to stretch holidays. Still, international travel in September is more accessible, with flexibility enabling people to work from faraway places. A growing number of travelers can connect from beachside hammocks in the Maldives or stay in a second home during the month, turning travel into a flexible lifestyle choice.
Ignatius Alvarez, a 36-year-old engineer who leads a team at Eventbrite Spain, normally based in Madrid, spent July through September in the Canary Islands this year. He chose Lanzarote for favorable weather and easy access to beaches, aided by a friend’s beach house within ten minutes. Julia Collado, a senior talent acquisition expert, notes that technology platforms empower employees to decide whether to work fully remotely, in the office, or in a hybrid setup. They can also work through the summer. Alvarez enjoys swimming, sunset watching, and snorkeling in his spare time. He notes that the key benefit is not prolonging vacation but having the chance to do different things while staying productive. The emphasis on transparency and trust helps both sides, with the company often seeing higher productivity and the employee gaining mental clarity, freedom, and schedule flexibility. The result is a win for everyone, Collado adds.
Hybrid workspaces are appearing in airports, cafes, and hotel lobbies. The Canary Islands attract many digital nomads who work remotely. Turismo de Tenerife runs a dedicated space called Tenerife Work & Play to engage remote workers, while Pitaya Coliving in Lanzarote provides high-speed internet and ready-to-use workspaces. Alvarez chose the latter for the social element it offers, something that can feel missing when working from home.
The best organization tends to value flexibility. Paul Oaks and Roser Ambros, European operations leaders at Liberty Seguros, describe a model that allows work from home or across borders. They recall feels like school holiday moments when someone can enjoy the season while remaining productive. Ambros spent the summer at a seaside campsite near Cunit in Tarragona. A parent of two, the approach helps families save on vacation costs and spend more time together. In fact, a portion of Liberty Seguros employees carries a second registered workplace. The company supports remote work and cross-border collaboration, helping attract top talent from regions outside major city hubs.
Hire remotely
This hiring approach has grown significantly since the pandemic era. A Deel report notes a 155% rise in the first half of the year across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region. Spain, Colombia, Argentina, and Albania show notable increases in remote recruitment. Iván Fernández, a master professor at UNIR, points out that the biggest advantage is access to a broader pool of candidates and higher-quality profiles.
Joep Sondeijker found a remote role with FDV Consulting from Barcelona and spent the summer in his home country, the Netherlands. He also works while traveling, splitting time across Portugal, France, Spain, and the Netherlands. He jokes that his backpack is his office, a sentiment that captures the new normal for many remote workers.