Since remote work became the standard, many people are asking themselves this question: work from home or head to a co-working space? Both options have clear advantages and disadvantages, and the right answer depends heavily on personal working style, living situation, and tasks. In Berlin, the question is especially relevant because the co-working offering is huge and apartments are often smaller than in other cities.
Homeoffice: Advantages and Disadvantages
Working from home means maximum flexibility and zero commute time. Those who work from home save money on a co-working pass, can organize their schedule freely, and work in the most familiar environment. For many people, this works well, especially for focused, quiet work without many meetings.
The downside: working from home requires self-discipline and a good spatial separation between work and private life. In a 40-square-metre Berlin apartment where the desk and bed stand side by side, that's difficult. In addition, social contacts are missing, which can be a real problem, especially for expats in a new city.
Co-Working: Advantages and Disadvantages
A co-working space offers structure that working from home lacks. You travel there, sit at a desk, work, and travel home again. This separation helps many people be more productive. In addition, co-working spaces offer networking opportunities, fast internet, and professional infrastructure for calls and presentations.
The downside: it costs money and time. A monthly pass in Berlin costs between 200 and 500 euros, plus commuting time. For calls, you often need a separate phone booth, which isn't always available. And not every work atmosphere suits everyone.
Criterion |
Homeoffice |
Co-Working |
Costs |
0 EUR extra |
200 to 500 EUR/month |
Flexibility |
Very high |
High (with a flexible pass) |
Social contacts |
Low |
Good |
Concentration |
Depends on living situation |
Good (if quiet areas are available) |
Infrastructure (WiFi, printer) |
Self-organized |
Included |
Networking |
None |
Good |
Commute time |
None |
Varies |
Hybrid Models: The Best of Both Worlds
Many remote workers in Berlin use a hybrid model: two to three days a week in a co-working space, the rest at home. This saves costs, because you don't need a full-time monthly package but can get by with a 10-visit card or an affordable flex pass. At the same time, on co-working days you get the structure and social contacts that working from home doesn't offer.
For expats and remote workers coming to Berlin for a few months: Furnished apartments in Berlin offer a good basis for a flexible working routine.
When Co-Working Is Worth It
Co-working is especially worthwhile when your own apartment is small and doesn't offer a good working atmosphere, when you're looking for a lot of networking and exchange with other professionals, when you have regular video calls and need a professional environment for them, or when you're new to the city and want to quickly build social contacts.
When Homeoffice Is Better
Working from home is the better choice if you have a quiet, well-equipped work environment at home, if the work requires a lot of focused, undisturbed work, if you have a budget that doesn't allow for a co-working pass, or if you want to minimize commuting time.
Conclusion
There is no universally right answer. Those who are new to Berlin benefit from co-working: social contacts, structure, networking. Those who are already established and have a good living situation get along well with working from home. A hybrid model works best for many.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does a co-working pass cost in Berlin?
A flexible monthly pass costs between 200 and 500 euros. A 10-visit card costs between 100 and 300 euros and is ideal for hybrid working.
2. Is working from home tax-deductible in Berlin?
Under certain conditions, yes. Since 2023, you can claim a homeoffice allowance of 6 euros per day, up to a maximum of 1,260 euros per year, for tax purposes.
3. How do I find a good co-working space in Berlin?
It's best to test several spaces with a day pass before deciding on a monthly package. Many spaces offer free trial periods.
4. Can I book a co-working space at short notice?
Yes, almost all spaces offer day passes without advance booking. For a fixed desk or a private office, a bit more advance notice makes sense.
5. Which co-working spaces in Berlin are particularly good for expats?
Spaces with an English-speaking community and an international crowd are found mainly in Mitte, Kreuzberg, and Friedrichshain.
Guide: Co-Working in Berlin