Nearly half of companies in Romania expect employees to come to the office three to four days a week in 2026, as hybrid working becomes more structured, according to a survey conducted by Colliers among 101 companies. At the same time, around three quarters of organisations intend to maintain their current office footprint, even though 55% of companies say their offices are less occupied today than before, indicating that the way office space is used continues to evolve, according to Romania Journal.
As working patterns evolve, more companies are adjusting their internal policies, wellbeing programmes and the way they use office space in order to align with new work habits. The office remains an important place for collaboration and meetings, but employee attendance varies throughout the week. The Colliers survey was conducted among 101 companies in the country’s main office hubs. Most respondents are based in Bucharest (90%), but the study also includes companies from Cluj-Napoca (25%) and Timișoara (16%). The IT&C sector accounts for 33% of respondents and professional services for 14%, with most participating companies being medium-sized or large employers with more than 100 employees.
Companies prefer to optimise existing space rather than expand
Regarding the outlook for 2026, companies are generally optimistic about the performance of their own businesses but remain more cautious when it comes to the Romanian and global economies. This attitude is also reflected in decisions related to office space.
Thus, 75.25% of companies intend to keep approximately the same office area in 2026. Only 8.9% expect to reduce their space by up to 25%, while around 9% anticipate moderate growth and less than 3% expect significant expansions. Overall, the data shows that most companies prefer to optimize existing space rather than expand rapidly into new locations.
At the same time, 31.3% of companies anticipate a working model with one to two days per week in the office, indicating that flexibility remains an important component of the way people work, even as physical presence becomes more frequent. Even so, office occupancy levels remain relatively low. Only 36% of companies describe the office atmosphere as vibrant, while most say that spaces are used less by employees and the atmosphere is rather quiet. The data shows that, in many companies, between 30% and 70% of employees are present in the office on a typical day, while only a small share of organisations report that their offices are close to full capacity.
”Companies are no longer trying to radically change the way people work, but rather to adjust and gradually refine it. The survey data shows a clear trend towards a more structured hybrid model, in which employees come to the office more often than in recent years, but without returning to the traditional five-day office schedule. For example, nearly half of companies expect employees to be present in the office three to four days a week, while only a small share remain fully remote or fully office-based. At the same time, companies are focusing their attention on optimising existing spaces and developing wellbeing programmes that create a more balanced and attractive working environment for employees”, explains Daniela Popescu, Director | Tenant Services & Workplace Advisory at Colliers.
Internal events and attendance rules are the main methods companies use to encourage employees to come to the office
Most employees are satisfied with the core advantages of office locations, such as easy access to buildings and proximity to metro stations, as well as nearby restaurants, shops and services. These results suggest that many modern office areas in Romania already offer the urban amenities employees consider important in their daily lives.
However, office attendance remains partial, and employees increasingly look for additional benefits and facilities to motivate them to work more from the office. On the other hand, when it comes to measures used by companies to encourage employees to return to the office, around 50.5% say they have not introduced special initiatives, relying instead on internal policies and employee choice. Companies that do attempt to stimulate office attendance mainly organise internal events (34.6%), introduce rules regarding physical presence (27.7%), or upgrade working spaces (20.8%). Financial benefits or direct incentives, by contrast, are used far less frequently and are mentioned by only around 5% of companies.
At the same time, managing office space remains a challenge for many organisations. High rent and maintenance costs are the main concern for 44.55% of respondents, followed by inefficient use of space (24.75%) and the limited flexibility of buildings to support hybrid work (18.81%).
”Overall, the survey results show that the labour market is entering a phase of gradual adjustment, with companies refining their working strategies and the way they use office space. Instead of radical changes, most prefer to optimise existing spaces, strengthen the hybrid working model and invest in programmes that support collaboration and employee wellbeing”, concludes Daniela Popescu, Director | Tenant Services & Workplace Advisory at Colliers.
Companies are also paying increasing attention to employees’ mental health. According to the survey, 38.6% of companies say remote work has not had a significant impact on employee wellbeing, while 34.6% believe the effect has been positive and 26.7% say the impact has been negative. In response to these changes, two thirds of companies have already implemented wellbeing programmes, including initiatives such as coaching, therapy, workshops and social activities.
Two years after the initial post-pandemic dust settled, Romania’s labor market has reached a sophisticated equilibrium. What was once a desperate measure during a global crisis has matured into the “Hybrid Standard.” In 2026, the Romanian professional landscape is no longer defined by where one sits, but by the seamless integration of digital agility and physical collaboration. From the glass towers of Floreasca in Bucharest to the tech hubs of Cluj-Napoca and Iași, the hybrid model has become the ultimate bargaining chip in the war for talent.
The 3-2 Split: Romania’s preferred rhythm
Data from the first quarter of 2026 shows that the “3-2 model” (three days in the office, two days remote) has emerged as the most sustainable configuration for both employers and employees.
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Employee Autonomy: A staggering 72% of Romanian white-collar workers now consider hybrid flexibility a non-negotiable part of their contracts. For Gen Z and Millennials, the ability to bypass Bucharest’s or Cluj’s infamous rush-hour traffic twice a week is equivalent to a 10-15% salary increase.
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The “Collaboration Hub” Office: The traditional cubicle farm is dead. Modern offices in Romania have been redesigned as social hubs, focusing on meeting rooms, creative lounges, and “hot-desking” zones. Companies are investing in high-end office perks—from gourmet cafeterias to wellness centers—to make the commute feel “worth it.”
Regional shifts and the rise of “Satellite Cities”
The hybrid revolution has triggered a fascinating demographic shift within Romania. Since workers are only required to be physically present a few days a week, many have migrated away from expensive capital city centers.
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Commutable Suburbs: Areas like Ilfov, Florești (Cluj), and Miroslava (Iași) have seen a real estate boom as professionals seek larger homes with dedicated office spaces.
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The Tier-2 Surge: Cities like Brașov, Oradea, and Sibiu are benefiting from “hybrid migrants”—professionals who work for Bucharest-based corporations but live in cities with a higher quality of life, commuting via the newly finished highway segments or improved rail links once a week.
The Tech Gap: Infrastructure and cybersecurity challenges
While the human element has adapted quickly, the technical infrastructure remains a work in progress. In 2026, the focus has shifted from simple internet connectivity to advanced cybersecurity.
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VPN and AI Security: With 40% of corporate data now accessed from residential networks, Romanian IT departments have implemented AI-driven security protocols to detect “anomalous behavior” in real-time.
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The Digital Divide: While urban areas enjoy some of the fastest fiber-optic speeds in the world, the hybrid model faces challenges for employees living in rural “white zones” where 5G penetration is still inconsistent.
Romania’s Hybrid Market at a Glance (2025-2026 Estimates)
| Indicator | Value | Trend |
| Workforce in Hybrid Regime | 58% (Urban White-Collar) | Stabilized |
| Office Space Vacancy Rate | 12.5% | Decreasing (due to repurposing) |
| Remote-Work Stipend (Avg.) | 250 – 450 RON / month | Increasing |
| Preferred Hybrid Split | 3 days Office / 2 days Home | Dominant |
Legal and Fiscal Maturity
By March 2026, the Romanian Labor Code has seen several updates to address the nuances of “Telemuncă” (Telework). Issues such as the “Right to Disconnect” and employer liability for home-office accidents have been clarified, providing a safer legal framework for both parties. Furthermore, fiscal deductions for home utility expenses have become a standard part of the Romanian tax landscape, incentivizing the model further.
