Work where it works: A productivity-first approach to flexibility
Appinio's People Team · 17.03.2025 · 9min read
Work where it works: Productivity-first flexibility | Life at Appinio
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At Appinio, trust and flexibility are at our core. As an Appinioneer, you're empowered to deliver great work while having the freedom to live life on your terms.
Whether you want to spend time with family in your home country while staying productive, extend your travels without using a lot of your vacation days, or experience life in a new place while working remotely—we’ve got you covered.
Our Temporary Work-from-abroad Policy, supported by Workflex, is designed to give Appinioneers the best of both worlds: Professional growth and the freedom to explore.
Here are some key reasons why we offer this as a benefit:
Building a culture of trust and responsibility
At Appinio we believe that great work isn't always being tied to one location. By allowing employees to work from abroad, we show trust in their ability to manage their time, meet deadlines, and maintain high performance—no matter where they are.
We put the team and results first
Everyone is accountable for delivering high-impact work and meeting team commitments, regardless of the location. We are available for our teams, communicate proactively, and respect shared working hours to ensure seamless teamwork and alignment. #ShowThatYouCare
Focusing on employee well-being
Well-rested, happy employees are more engaged and productive. The freedom to work from abroad can improve mental well-being, and provide a sense of autonomy—all of which contribute to better performance at work.
We adhere to legal frameworks
Temporarily working from abroad carries legal obligations for both the organisation and the individual. We prioritise compliance with applicable laws, including tax, visa, and employment regulations, to avoid potential risks or liabilities over unlimited flexibility.
What our employees have to say
Let's hear what our employees have to say about working abroad and what tips & tricks they can share to make sure productivity isn't lost and having fun along the way.
Sounds too good to be true? We asked some of our team members about their experiences working from abroad. Here’s what they had to say — and some tips to help you make the most of your own remote adventures!

Gabriela – Thailand
Senior People Operations Partner
Duration: 6 weeks (rotating work and vacation)
Base: Germany
"Escaping the German winter was the best decision! I enjoyed an amazing work-life balance, explored Bangkok, and stayed on top of my work. The time zone difference worked in my favour - I had distraction-free, productive mornings and collaborative afternoons. Communication was seamless, with my team adjusting schedules to ensure smooth collaboration."
Key tip: Block your calendar in advance so colleagues know your availability.

Lea – Sri Lanka
Customer Success Manager
Duration: 3 weeks (2 weeks working, 1 week vacation)
Base: Portugal
"During my time in Sri Lanka, I had a heavy workload and worked long hours, but I focused on getting things done efficiently to make time for exploring the country. Since I already work remotely from Portugal, my team was used to virtual collaboration—we kept cameras on during meetings, had regular coffee chats, and a dedicated Friday session for personal interactions."
Key advice: Research internet reliability, co-working spaces, and a quiet workspace before you go.

Fanni – Budapest, Hungary
Software Developer
Duration: 2 weeks
Base: Germany
"Having the flexibility to work from anywhere has been a huge boost to my productivity and motivation. Working from my home country gave me an energy boost from reconnecting with family and friends. I stayed proactive in communication and syncing, but since Appinio is already a remote company, collaboration remained smooth and effective."
Key advice: Set boundaries between work and personal time, especially when visiting family and/or friends.

June – Kochi, India
IT Administrator
Duration: 5 weeks
Base: Germany
"Working from my hometown was an incredible experience - it gave me a refreshing change of pace while staying fully engaged in my role. The familiar and cozy environment helped me feel focused, stress-free, and even more productive.Thanks to seamless communication tools and my supportive team, I never felt disconnected. This flexibility allowed me to spend valuable time with family, recharge mentally, and embrace a change of scenery, all while maintaining my efficiency."
Key advice: Regular check-ins and async updates help keep collaboration smooth.

How We Stay Compliant
Managing temporary work from abroad is a complex challenge, involving tax laws, employment regulations, visas, social security, health insurance, and more. Ensuring compliance requires extensive expertise, making it difficult for companies to offer this benefit without significant administrative overhead.
To simplify this process, we’ve partnered with WorkFlex, a platform that assesses each trip’s compliance and takes responsibility for key elements like insurance coverage, legal requirements and their analytics function - this helps us clearly see how many people are working abroad and where they have travelled. WorkFlex helps us provide Appinioneers with safe, compliant remote work opportunities while flagging potential risks in certain destinations.
Beyond compliance, WorkFlex enhances the employee experience by offering a seamless approval process, consolidating trip details, and ensuring all travel stays within policy. The feedback from our team has been overwhelmingly positive, as they now have a clear, streamlined way to work from abroad with peace of mind.
The freedom to work from abroad - without the stress
At Appinio, we believe work should complement your life, not restrict it. With temporary Work-from-abroad and WorkFlex, we’re making it easier than ever for you to grow in your role while having the freedom to explore new places and experiences.
If you're an HR professional interested in learning more about WorkFlex or how we manage remote work, feel free to reach out to talent@appinio.com. And if our way of working resonates with you, we’re hiring! Check out our job board for open roles.
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