Sweden Offers a Year's Escape on a Private Island

Imagine a year of solitude, where your only neighbors are seabirds and pine trees. Sweden’s national tourism board is making that possible for five people, offering temporary custody of a small island in the Baltic.

The country, which boasts over a quarter-million islands, is running an unusual contest. Winners receive a right-of-use certificate for one of five specified islets—Tjuvholmen, Medbådan, Skötbådan, Storberget, or Marsten—valid for twelve months. It’s not ownership, but it is exclusive access. The package includes round-trip airfare for two to Sweden, with travel to be completed between June 2026 and May 2027.

Applicants should temper their visions of a tropical resort. These are rugged, natural outcrops, better suited for a picnic than a palace. The real prize may be the sponsored journey to Scandinavia, with the island serving as a unique basecamp.

Eligibility has a twist: the contest explicitly bars billionaires. It’s aimed at everyone else over 18. To enter, you must submit a one-minute vertical video pitching why you deserve your own Swedish retreat. Creativity is encouraged; heartfelt appeals are allowed but not required.

Submissions are due by April 17, 2026, and must be shared on social media tagging @visitsweden with the hashtag #YourSwedishIsland. The full terms, and details on the islands, are available on Visit Sweden’s website. For those craving quiet, the application is now open.