Win your own Swedish island. Billionaires need not apply Win your own Swedish island. Billionaires need not apply

Escaping to your own private island has long been the preserve of the very wealthy. But now Visit Sweden and the country’s National Property Board are democratising the dream, offering five lucky people the chance to win custodianship of their very own Swedish island. And in a refreshingly egalitarian twist, billionaires are not allowed to apply.

As part of the initiative, five successful applicants will receive a one-year right to use of one of five carefully selected islands, each set in a different part of Sweden. The country certainly has enough islands to go around. In fact, Sweden has more islands than any other country in the world – a staggering 267,570 all told – each defined by calm, clean air and their restorative nature.

Hence, as part of the application process, you will be asked to tick a box specifying that you are not a billionaire. It’s tongue-in-cheek, of course. Visit Sweden won’t be insisting on seeing your bank records. But it does reflect Sweden’s strongly held belief in democratic luxury.

Each of the islands on offer has been carefully selected for its variety and natural ‘luxury’ of Swedish islands. Situated on quiet lakes to open coastlines, each is wonderfully secluded, yet close enough to a local community for essentials— whether it’s picking up groceries, posting a letter, or joining a traditional Midsummer celebration. Most can only be reached by boat taxi or renting a kayak.

Your custodianship also comes with a travel voucher that can be used to visit your island and to explore all that the surrounding areas have to offer.

The Islands

Island #1: Medbådan 63°54’37.5″N / 20°49’13.8″E

Situated just 35 kilometres southeast of Umeå, in the northeast of Sweden, this island was formed during the Ice Age and features a sheltered pocket of spruce and pine at its centre. Spend your days exploring the island, swimming in the calm brackish water, or going for a gentle paddle among the skerries, small rocky outcrops in the surrounding sea that are often a haven for seabirds and seals.

Back on the mainland, you can enjoy freshly caught fish at the popular seaside restaurant Kvarken Fisk, or check out the world-class exhibitions at the contemporary art museum Bildmuseet in Umeå.

Island #2: Skötbådan 59°49’46.1″N / 19°10’14.4″E

Just north of Stockholm, this peaceful stretch of rock in open salt water between Sweden and Finland was once an important part of the fishing industry. Now, where herring nets were once anchored, you’ll find unmatched solitude, fresh air, and the never-ending spectacle of sea life unfolding.

If you can drag yourself away from your island, there’s the former top-secret defence facility at Batteri Arholma to explore. And the world-famous home-smoked fish of Arholma Nord to devour. Looking for a little rustic luxury? Try Fejan Outdoor’s much-talked-about glamping facilities nearby on the island of Fejan.

Island #3: Storberget 58°44’05.3″N / 17°48’57.7″E

Whoever named this island had a sense of humour. Roughly translated as ‘the big mountain’, the pink granite stones of Storberget barely reach above sea level. Just 30 kilometres north of Nynäshamn in the southeast of the country, your visit is sure to be invigorating, particularly when you take a dip in the crystal-clear waters here.

There’s plenty to do back on shore too. A castle safari is a must – there are over 400 dotted around the region. And there’s no better place to sample the local seafood than at Kroken, a delightful restaurant right on Nynäshamn harbour.

Island #4: Tjuvhomen 58°41’06.1″N / 13°13’46.4″E

Set on a gorgeous lake in south-central Sweden, just 25 kilometres south of the equally gorgeous town of Lidköping, this tiny island is a pile of pine and spruce woodland, with patches of birch and alder, fringing the shore. Your stay here will be soundtracked by birdcall, from the lilting songs of woodland birds to the plaintive cries of those flying above the sea.

Continue your love affair with Mother Earth back on shore, with a stay at Naturum Vänerskärgården – Victoriahuset, a nature centre located right next door to Läckö Castle. (A great place to spot your island from, by the way.) Back in Lidköping, learn about the proud history of Swedish porcelain at the Rörstrand Museum.

Island #5: Marsten 56°49’49.4″N / 12°31’13.3″E

Just 9 kilometres north of Falkenberg, this tiny patch of granite is where pale stone and sparse vegetation meet open sky and peace and solitude are guaranteed. The Swedish west coast waters here are teeming with fish, so catching your supper is as easy as it is therapeutic.

If the solitude proves too challenging, nearby Skrea strand is teeming with beachgoers, cafés and foodie hotspots like Skrea Matbruk, famous for its pasta made fresh using Swedish flour. A room at Ocean Hotel provides a blissful night’s sleep and a pair of binoculars to watch over your island from your window.

How to enter

To take part, applicants must upload their video via this form by 17 April 2026, 11:59 pm Central European Summer Time (CEST).