The Rheintal-Bodenseegebiet in Vorarlberg is a highly connected cross-border region linking Austria with Germany, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Its combination of industrial activity, service-sector employment, strong transport connections and high quality of life creates conditions that can support remote and hybrid work. However, remote work remains less widespread than in some other European regions, partly because of the importance of manufacturing and other jobs requiring physical presence.

How remote work is changing the Rheintal-Bodenseegebiet

One of the most visible changes is the growing demand for more flexible working environments. Traditional office use has declined in some areas, alongside a growth in co-working and shared workspaces, particularly closer to where people live. Housing demand is also changing, with greater interest in high-quality and flexible living arrangements.

Remote work is also influencing where and how people live and work. Greater flexibility can encourage some workers to move towards suburban and rural areas, increasing demand for well-connected and high-quality housing. At the same time, cross-border remote work allows some residents to live in Austria while working for employers in Germany or Switzerland. However, this remains complicated by differences in taxation and social-security rules. Access to remote work is also uneven, with highly educated and white-collar workers benefiting more than employees in manufacturing, services and other location-dependent occupations.

What is driving these changes?

Several factors shape the Rheintal-Bodenseegebiet’s remote work landscape:

• The economic structure matters. Manufacturing and other location-dependent sectors limit remote work, while knowledge-based and service sectors offer greater flexibility.
• Cross-border connectivity supports flexible working patterns. Strong transport links make it possible to live in Austria while working across the border, although tax and social-security rules can complicate these arrangements.
• Digital infrastructure enables remote work. Reliable broadband supports remote work, but connectivity gaps in some rural and mountainous areas remain a constraint.
• Housing and quality of life influence location choices. Access to nature, good public services and high-quality living environments can make suburban and rural locations attractive to remote workers, while relocation and integration services can support newcomers settling in the region.
• Workplace culture and policy shape adoption. National regulations support telework and employers have flexibility in how they implement it, resulting in different levels of remote work across organisations.
• Social factors and well-being influence the experience of remote work. Remote work can provide greater flexibility, but reduced day-to-day interaction may contribute to social isolation and weaker community ties.

Looking ahead

The region’s future working patterns are likely to combine remote, hybrid and on-site employment, with flexible arrangements particularly relevant to knowledge-intensive and cross-border jobs. Their development will depend on stronger rural connectivity, clearer cross-border tax and social-security rules, and more equal access to remote work opportunities.

The findings presented here are based on research conducted within the R-Map project, including desk research, expert interviews and a regional citizen survey.