Half of all Danes working on vacations admit to working during their vacations, with “workations” becoming an increasingly popular trend among travelers seeking to balance career demands with leisure time abroad.
Work Emails Replace Waves for Many Danish Vacationers
New survey data reveals that a growing number of Danes working on vacations are combining work and leisure while away on holiday, reflecting a shift in lifestyle and work habits. According to a nationwide study conducted by research firm YouGov on behalf of Denmark’s largest travel company, Spies, 51% of Danes say they have worked during a vacation at least occasionally. Notably, nearly 20% report working frequently while on holiday. It is becoming more normal for many Danes to check work emails or even take calls when they are supposed to be off.
The survey, conducted in late June 2025 with feedback from 1,035 Danish adults, highlights a cultural shift where the digital age allows constant connectivity—blurring the lines between the office and the beach. The change shows us how technology is affecting the way people balance their work and free time.
Digital Accessibility Influences Vacation Habits
The notion of disconnecting entirely while on vacation is becoming increasingly rare. With smartphones and laptops as constant travel companions, many Danes working on vacations struggle to fully unplug. The trend is particularly evident among younger adults and people in corporate or self-employed roles.
Data shows that 61% of individuals aged 30 to 39 have worked during their holidays, with 51% of 18-29 year-olds also dialing in from abroad. Employees in white-collar professions are most likely to blend work with time off: 69% of office workers and a remarkable 73% of self-employed people have logged on during vacation.
Workation Offers a Balanced Alternative
In response to the changing landscape of work, Spies has introduced dedicated “workation” packages, which cater to travelers who prefer to stay productive while soaking up the sun. These packages include hotel rooms equipped with adjustable desks, ergonomic chairs, and second monitors—essentials for a temporary remote office.
Gran Canaria and other sunny destinations under the Spies umbrella have become hubs for these hybrid vacations. These setups allow travelers to handle work responsibilities during the day while enjoying the resort lifestyle during breaks, with swimming pools and ocean views just steps away.
Urban Professionals Lead the Trend
Geographical differences in vacation styles are also evident across Denmark. Residents of the Capital Region, including Copenhagen, are most likely to take work with them abroad, with 64% admitting to working while on vacation. This contrasts sharply with Midtjylland and Southern Denmark, where only 42% report the same behavior, suggesting regional variations in work-life balance and digital detachment.
The split is also clear when viewed through the lens of gender: 59% of men report working during holidays, compared to just 44% of women.
Many Still Keep Holidays Sacred
Despite the growing prevalence of workations and digital connectivity, many Danes are still managing to maintain boundaries. The study also found that 49% of respondents have never worked during a vacation. This trend is especially strong among pensioners and adults without children—groups more likely to prioritize complete disengagement and relaxation during time off.
Spies noted a rising demand for travel experiences centered around wellness, tranquility, and immersive nature—suggesting that some travelers actively seek environments that discourage digital interruption. These destinations often become sanctuaries where travellers consciously step away from technology.
Gradual Transition Rather Than a Hard Stop
Experts suggest that the shift toward Danes working on vacations may be connected to the difficulty of transitioning abruptly from full-time work to complete rest. Rather than swinging between two extremes, a more gradual adjustment may help individuals mentally ease into their time off and return to work more smoothly, advocating for a softer boundary between work and leisure.
Travel Trends Continue to Evolve
As Denmark’s most established travel company, Spies continues to adapt to these changing customer expectations. With nearly 285,000 travelers annually and offerings to nearly 400 destinations, the company is exploring more flexible vacation formats to serve diverse customer needs.
Awarded Denmark’s best charter travel agency for two consecutive years, Spies is leaning into this hybrid travel trend while still catering to traditional vacation preferences. As balance becomes a central theme in modern working life, Danes now have more options than ever to travel while staying as connected—or disconnected—as they choose.
