Imagine waking up to the sound of waves instead of traffic. Imagine open skies, fresh sea air, and complete silence as your daily background. In 2026, Sweden is turning that dream into reality.
On 17 February 2026, Visit Sweden officially launched a global campaign called “Your Swedish Island,” offering five international travelers the rare chance to live on a Swedish island for an entire year. The initiative invites people to slow down, reconnect with nature, and experience a different kind of luxury, one built on simplicity, freedom, and time outdoors.
Important Dates You Need to Know
The application process opened on 17 February 2026 and will close on 17 April 2026 at 11:59 PM CEST. After the deadline, a jury will review all submissions and select five winners. The final results will be announced in May 2026.
If selected, winners will begin their 12-month island experience later in 2026.
What Is “Your Swedish Island”?
The campaign offers five people from different parts of the world the opportunity to become temporary custodians of five selected Swedish islands. This means winners will not own the islands, but they will have official permission to live on and care for them for one year.
Each winner will sign a formal agreement and receive a diploma recognizing their role as an island custodian.
The idea behind the campaign is simple. Sweden wants to show that true luxury is not about money or material things. It is about silence, natural beauty, fresh air, and the freedom to live at your own pace.
The Five Islands Waiting for Their Custodians
Sweden is home to around 267,570 islands, more than any other country in the world. For this campaign, five unique islands have been carefully selected.
- Medbådan: Medbådan is a peaceful island shaped by glaciers, making it perfect for kayaking, slow coastal walks, and quiet reflection by the sea.
- Skötbådan: Skötbådan is rugged and surrounded by open sea, offering dramatic coastal views and a powerful sense of isolation.
- Storberget: Storberget, which means “the big mountain,” features striking granite landscapes and wide, open horizons.
- Tjuvholmen: Tjuvholmen is forested and rich in wildlife, making it ideal for nature lovers seeking to immerse themselves in Sweden’s coastal environment.
- Marsten: Marsten is known for its crystal-clear waters and calm atmosphere, offering a serene and tranquil island experience.
Each island offers a different experience, allowing winners to discover Sweden’s coastal life in their own unique way.
Who Can Apply?
The competition is open to international travelers aged 18 and above. Swedish citizens are not eligible to apply.
To enter, applicants must create a short video of up to 60 seconds explaining why they should be chosen as an island custodian. The video must be submitted through the official campaign website before 17 April 2026. Participants can also share their video on social media using the hashtag #YourSwedishIsland, although this is optional.
What Do Winners Receive?
Each of the five selected winners will receive the right to live on one of the islands for 12 months. They will also receive round-trip flight vouchers for two people traveling to Sweden.
Winners can swim, camp, relax, explore, and invite guests during their stay. However, they must respect Swedish laws and protect the environment. Sweden’s traditional Right of Public Access, known as Allemansrätten, still applies. This means other visitors may responsibly access the island as well.
Winners will need to arrange their own accommodation setup, food, insurance, and other personal expenses during their year-long stay.
A Year of Silence, Sea, and Simplicity
The “Your Swedish Island” campaign is more than a contest. It is an invitation to pause, breathe, and experience life differently. In a world that often feels busy and noisy, Sweden is offering five people the rare gift of space, nature, and time.
For those selected, 2026 will not just be another year. It will be a year surrounded by water, wind, and endless horizons.
FAQs About Your Swedish Island 2026
What is the Your Swedish Island campaign?
The Your Swedish Island campaign is a global contest launched by Visit Sweden in 2026, offering five international travelers the opportunity to live on a Swedish island for one year and experience simple, nature-focused island life.
Who can apply for the Sweden island living experience 2026?
The Sweden island living experience 2026 is open to international travelers aged 18 and above, and applicants must submit a 60-second video explaining why they should be selected as an island custodian, while Swedish citizens are not eligible to apply.
What do winners receive in the Swedish island contest?
Winners of the Swedish island contest receive the right to stay on one selected island for 12 months, round-trip flight vouchers for two people, and an official diploma recognizing their role as temporary custodians.
Do winners own the Swedish island?
Winners do not own the island; instead, they act as temporary custodians under Swedish law, and the Right of Public Access in Sweden still allows others to responsibly visit the island.
What is the deadline for Your Swedish Island 2026 applications?
Applications for Your Swedish Island 2026 opened on 17 February 2026 and will close on 17 April 2026 at 11:59 PM CEST, with the final winners expected to be announced in May 2026.
