What I do not control is the natural level of rents in any given market at any given time. 

Don't discount that.Real estate remains a valuable investment despite current challenges due to its tangible nature, long-term appreciation, and potential for consistent rental income.

This are the best few hundreds of EURs you will invest and can save you thousands.On my case, i'm currently in the process of investing in 2 properties in Sagres for tourism, as the zone belongs to a natural reserve and supply is very limited (i also hired the 2 ppl i mentioned above).

These are natural food for Tilapia. 

Also, what's the nature of your business? 

This influx of workers will naturally drive demand for housing, retail, and other services in the surrounding areas, especially in smaller towns and cities that haven't seen major growth in decades.

Just the nature of the business....

If they are not changing their personal lifestyles to adjust to this, not communicating, doing new deals leaving old ones to wither then you know what your dealing with the goal ( human nature i guess) is to keep lifestyle intact at all costs.

That takes a little time to develop those resources - but they naturally come with experience.

I might say that most of those are going to be residential in nature as well.