28 Jan Study: Companies Renew Focus on Global Mobility in 2025
A comprehensive new study examining the state of global mobility in 2025 reveals that companies are renewing their focus on international expansion and cross-border movement of talent, albeit with a more strategic and compliance-minded approach than in previous years. The research, which gathered insights from 200 business leaders and mobility experts across Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK, highlights several significant shifts in how organizations are approaching global mobility.
Return to growth with a strategic focus
The study found that 64% of companies are prioritizing international expansion as a core business objective for 2025. This represents a marked shift from the more conservative approaches of recent years, with only 27% of respondents citing cash preservation as a primary concern. This renewed growth mindset is reflected in mobility budgets, with 55% of organizations reporting increased funding for their global mobility programs. Among those seeing budget increases, 50% reported gains of 5-10%, while 38% saw even larger increases of 11-20%.
However, this expansion comes with new complexities. The traditional model of long-term relocations is being complimented by a more diverse mix of mobility options. While visa and permit renewals remain the top priority (cited by 65% of respondents), companies are increasingly embracing shorter-term arrangements like business trips (64%) and workations (58%) to provide flexibility while maintaining compliance.
The rise of strategic mobility management
One of the study’s most interesting findings relates to how global mobility is being managed within organizations. Rather than being siloed in a single department, mobility programs are increasingly integrated across multiple functions, with 46% managed by People Operations teams and 30% by Rewards & Benefits departments. This distribution reflects the growing strategic importance of mobility in achieving broader business objectives.
However, the research also identified a concerning gap: despite mobility’s strategic importance, 4 in 10 People leaders still lack a voice in executive-level strategic decisions. This disconnect could potentially hamper organizations’ ability to effectively execute their international growth plans.
Compliance and technology at the forefront
The study reveals a growing emphasis on compliance management, particularly as companies navigate complex international regulations. A striking 77% of organizations now rely on external vendors for compliance reviews, with 27% outsourcing all reviews and 52% seeking outside expertise for specific markets.
Technology is playing an increasingly crucial role in managing these complexities. The research shows that 57% of companies are focusing on investing in advanced technologies, including generative AI, for complex mobility-related tasks. The top areas where organizations plan to leverage technology include:
- Compliance policy reviews (37%)
- International expansion strategy development (36%)
- Employee information management (35%)
- Automated data entry (34%)
The workation revolution
One of the most significant trends identified in the study is the widespread adoption of workations as a formal mobility benefit. With 57% of respondents reporting high employee demand for workation options, companies are responding by implementing structured policies. The majority (41%) offer between 30-59 days of workation time annually, though policies vary significantly by region:
Looking ahead
The study’s findings suggest that global mobility is entering a new era characterized by:
Strategic growth: Companies are investing in mobility as a key enabler of international expansion and talent management.
Flexible arrangements: Organizations are balancing traditional long-term assignments with newer, more flexible mobility options.
Technology-enabled compliance: Growing investment in advanced technologies to manage increasing regulatory complexity.
Policy formalization: Development of structured approaches to newer mobility formats like workations.
However, challenges remain. Geopolitical uncertainty was cited as the top barrier to achieving mobility goals, followed by economic uncertainties and resource constraints. Additionally, while 90% of respondents agree that global mobility positively impacts employee satisfaction and retention, many organizations still struggle with consistent policy enforcement and compliance management.
As we move further into 2025, the study suggests that successful global mobility programs will need to balance growth ambitions with robust compliance frameworks, while leveraging technology to manage increasing complexity. Organizations that can effectively navigate these challenges while maintaining flexibility will be best positioned to attract and retain global talent in an increasingly mobile world.
The findings make clear that global mobility is no longer just a support function but a strategic enabler of business growth and talent management. As companies continue to expand internationally, the role of mobility professionals will become increasingly crucial in shaping and executing business strategy.