Remote work continues to solidify in Spain, where more than half of professionals (53%) lean toward hybrid models or a greater emphasis on telework. At the same time, artificial intelligence is beginning to make a tangible impact on productivity: 83% of workers in Spain report saving between 30 minutes and three hours per week thanks to these tools, according to Zoom’s fifth edition survey on remote-work trends.
Undoubtedly, flexible work has consolidated as a trend in workers’ preferences and demands and not as a one-off measure, something reflected both in people’s habits and in the way productivity and efficiency are understood in modern companies.
Remote work is increasingly integrated into Spain’s work culture
Currently, more than 3.3 million people work from home on at least a few days per week, according to data from Spain’s National Institute of Statistics (INE) and the Active Population Survey (EPA). Meanwhile, 53% of professionals surveyed by Zoom say they prefer a fully remote model or a hybrid scheme with most workdays remote, confirming that flexibility has become a standard expectation in the workplace.
Adoption rates vary significantly by sector. In technology, information and communications, remote work exceeds 60%, while in professional, scientific and technical services it reaches around 50%, according to INE data. By contrast, sectors such as logistics and tourism remain largely reliant on in-person work.
Remote work reshapes urban mobility preferences
The study also shows that remote work is starting to influence behavior beyond the workplace. About 32% of respondents say they use this flexibility to travel or extend their commutes during periods like the summer.
Additionally, 71% of professionals support promoting remote work during large public events, such as the Pope’s recent visit to Madrid, as a way to reduce urban congestion. This reinforces the idea that flexible work not only helps people schedule their days but can also ease daily transportation pressure in cities.
The support is even higher in a context of energy uncertainty. 90% of Spaniards would be in favor of expanding remote work to reduce energy consumption from commuting, while 64% think it should be established as a permanent option.
Time optimization and AI: the duo that’s here to stay
Alongside the growth of remote work, AI has quickly become part of daily professional life. 68% of workers in Spain consider AI very useful or even essential for their everyday activities. While information retrieval and content summarization remain two of its most recognized applications, there is increasing appreciation for its ability to automate routine tasks and turn information into action, helping work progress more efficiently from idea to execution.
The most common use cases include research (65%), summarizing long documents (36%), automating follow-up tasks after virtual meetings (25%), and drafting emails (24%).
However, its most tangible impact lies in time management. 83% of respondents report saving between 30 minutes and three hours per week thanks to these tools. That time is reinvested mainly in advancing other projects (49%), improving work-life balance (19%), training and professional development (15%), or disconnecting from work (16.3%).
Could a four-day workweek be possible?
As Zoom’s CEO, Eric Yuan, has noted, artificial intelligence has the potential to enable shorter workweeks without compromising productivity, fueling the debate about a four-day workweek.
This trend is already influencing the perception of work time. 81% of Spaniards believe AI can facilitate the transition to this model, while 34% see working three or four days a week as a realistic possibility in the next five years.
In short, Zoom’s survey results point to a broader shift in the future of work in Spain. Remote work is ceasing to be a temporary alternative and is becoming a stable component of the modern workplace, capable of addressing both urban mobility challenges and productivity needs. In this transformation, AI plays an increasingly important role: it not only speeds up processes but also optimizes daily work for professionals and redefines how work time is organized.
