Coworking vs Virtual Office: Differences, Prices and Which to Choose
Updated October 2026
The short answer: a virtual office gives your company an address (registered office or branch) without a desk to work at every day. A coworking space gives you a place to work in a shared office. At Giraldo Works in Lisbon, a virtual office starts at €20/month + VAT (annual plan) and coworking starts at €160/month + VAT. Below we compare both side by side so you can decide which one fits the way you work.
Key takeaways
- Virtual office: a business address you can use to register your company, mail reception and, depending on the plan, access to meeting rooms. No desk included.
- Coworking: a workstation in a shared space, with internet, meeting rooms and a community.
- Choose a virtual office if you work from home, at clients’ premises or from abroad and mainly need an address.
- Choose coworking if you need somewhere to work on a regular basis.
Coworking vs virtual office: comparison table
| Virtual office | Coworking | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | A business and tax address for your company | A workstation in a shared space |
| Use as registered office? | Yes, that is its main purpose | Not the purpose of the service |
| Daily workspace | No | Yes |
| Meeting rooms | Depending on the plan (hourly or with hours included) | Available on site |
| Giraldo Works price (Lisbon) | From €20/month + VAT (annual plan) | From €160/month + VAT |
| Best for | Start-ups, freelancers, foreign companies, remote teams | Freelancers, digital nomads, small teams |
What is a virtual office?
A virtual office (also called a registered address or business domiciliation service) lets you use a professional address as your company’s registered office or branch without renting a space. In Portugal, the registered office does not have to be where the business actually operates, as explained on the official portal justica.gov.pt (in Portuguese).
At Giraldo Works the address is on Rua Castilho, next to Avenida da Liberdade. Plans include mail reception and, on the higher plans, mail digitalization and access to meeting rooms. We explain how it works step by step in our guide virtual office in Lisbon: how it works and your options.
Who a virtual office is for
- Newly formed companies that don’t want to use a home address as their registered office.
- Freelancers and consultants who work from home or at clients’ premises.
- Foreign companies that need an address in Portugal.
- Fully remote teams that want a central Lisbon address.
What is coworking?
Coworking is a shared workspace where you rent a workstation, usually on a monthly basis. You share the space with other professionals and companies, with internet, common areas and meeting rooms on site.
Giraldo Works coworking in Lisbon is in the same building on Rua Castilho, with a river view, from €160/month + VAT.
Who coworking is for
- People working from home who want to separate work from home life.
- Freelancers and digital nomads living in Lisbon.
- Small teams that don’t yet need a private office.
Not sure which one you need? Tell us how you work and we’ll suggest the right option.
How much each costs in Lisbon
Giraldo Works prices in Lisbon. VAT is added at the applicable legal rate.
| Service | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual office (annual plan) | €20, €30 or €70/month | Paid once a year, 12-month minimum |
| Virtual office (monthly plan) | €25, €35 or €85/month | Paid month by month |
| Coworking | From €160/month | Workstation in the shared space |
| Private office | From €160/person | A closed office for your team |
| Meeting rooms | From €8/hour | Up to 8 people |
Full details of each virtual office plan are on the virtual office in Lisbon page.
Decide in 3 questions
- Do you need somewhere to work more than 1 or 2 days a week? If so, coworking (or a private office) is the answer.
- Do you mainly need an address for your company? Start with a virtual office. It is the most affordable option.
- Do you meet clients often? Combine a virtual office with our meeting rooms in Lisbon, from €8/hour, instead of paying for a desk every month.
What happens when your team grows?
Many companies start with a virtual office and, as the team grows, move to coworking or a private office in Lisbon in the same building. No need to look for a new space or change neighbourhood.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between coworking and a virtual office?
A virtual office gives your company a professional address (registered office or branch) without a daily workspace. Coworking gives you a workstation in a shared space. At Giraldo Works in Lisbon, a virtual office starts at €20/month + VAT (annual plan) and coworking at €160/month + VAT.
Can I use the virtual office address as my company's registered office?
Yes. The Giraldo Works virtual office can be used as a registered office or branch address. To sign up, we only need the ID of the company representative or the applicant.
Does a virtual office include a desk?
No. A virtual office includes the address and related services. If you need to work on site regularly, choose coworking (from €160/month + VAT) or a private office (from €160/person + VAT).
How much does a virtual office in Lisbon cost?
At Giraldo Works, the annual plan costs €20, €30 or €70/month, paid once a year with a 12-month minimum. The monthly plan costs €25, €35 or €85/month. VAT is added at the applicable rate.
Can virtual office clients use the meeting rooms?
Yes. On the Premium plan, meeting rooms are charged by the hour at €8/hour + VAT, a price that already includes a 50% discount. Rooms seat up to 8 people.
Can I start with a virtual office and switch to coworking later?
Yes. The virtual office, coworking and private offices are all in the same building on Rua Castilho, next to Avenida da Liberdade, so you can switch as your team grows.
Find the right workspace for your company in Lisbon
A prestigious address next to Avenida da Liberdade, coworking with a river view and meeting rooms from €8/hour. More than 250 companies already trust Giraldo Works.
