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Paris, Madrid and Cologne lead “return to the office” in Europe
Research - AUGUST 2, 2022

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Paris, Madrid and Cologne lead “return to the office” in Europe

by Andrea Zander

According to Savills, Paris CBD (54 percent), Madrid (52 percent) and Cologne (47 percent) had the highest office occupancy rates in Europe in June 2022. Europe’s average office occupancy rate during the month was 43 percent, the highest level since February 2020. The occupancy was between 70 percent and 75 percent prior to the pandemic, reflecting optimum building utilization: too high and space feels cramped, too low and space is underutilized.

There are a number of reasons for differences in occupancy rates in Europe, said Savills. For example, Madrid’s relatively high occupancy rate may be partially boosted by a higher proportion of city center living and consequently shorter commutes to the workplace. In Germany, the number of employees working from home prior to the pandemic was lower than across other western European markets, and workplace culture has driven a faster speed of return.

“Office occupancy rates in Europe continued on an upward trend in June 2

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