Germany’s coworking industry is bouncing back, showing signs of resilience and growing sophistication, according to Coworking Europe.
After years of disruption from COVID-19 and geopolitical instability, over half of German coworking operators now describe their business outlook as “good,” which is a major leap from just 46% in 2024 and 29% in 2021. The sector appears to be settling into a more stable rhythm, placing it in the middle of global performance rankings.
Occupancy levels have held steady at around 64% nationwide. Larger cities with populations over 100,000 continue to outperform, exceeding 70% occupancy, while rural and small-town spaces lag behind. This plateau may reflect a balancing act: increasing demand offset by rising supply or strategic pricing rather than fuller desks.
Profitability is gradually improving, though still limited. While 29% of spaces are now turning a profit, half are at least breaking even. Just 21% reported losses — down significantly from nearly 40% in previous years. Still, many German operators prioritize community impact over aggressive growth, often running smaller, socially driven spaces rather than scaling for profit.
Demand trends show interesting progressions: usage of meeting and event rooms has surged, while single-person offices have declined. Hot desks remain the urban favorite, and team offices are holding steady. Phone booths, though not directly monetized, have become essential, which is often a dealbreaker for prospective members if missing.
Direct desk rentals continue to be the main revenue stream in Germany, diverging from global markets where private office rentals dominate. The limited presence of large players has resulted in a market that emphasizes sustainable, community-focused growth over rapid expansion.
That said, signs of consolidation are emerging. Notably, the merger of Work Inn and SleevesUp into the new brand Rivvers represents a turning point toward larger-scale operations, signaling the beginning of a new phase in the sector’s evolution.
