©Jessica Pamp via Unsplash
There's one country in the world with a record of 267,570 islands... and a furious desire to share them. We're talking, of course, about Sweden, and an unusual initiative to say the least: via its official tourism agency Visit Sweden and in partnership with the National Property Board (or the State Property Administration), it has launched 'Your Swedish Island', an international competition that puts five private islands up for grabs for an entire year.
The islands are not for sale, nor even for rent, but for safekeeping only. They will go to those who can explain and motivate, in a one-minute video, why they deserve such an opportunity.
The project is open to travelers from all over the world, with just one exclusion clause that has made the rounds of the international press: billionaires are not allowed to participate. Specifically, anyone with a net worth in excess of one billion Swedish crowns (or around 94 million euros; you only need 93 to be eligible, these Swedes have a real sense of humor) is out of the game. A conscious, almost philosophical choice: the type of luxury Sweden wants to promote is not for those who can already buy everything. It's a luxury that wants to be 'democratic'.
The five islands
The 5 selected islands are Medbådan, Flisan, Storberget, Tjuvholmen and Marsten, each with its own distinct personality. Tjuvholmen lies on Lake Vänern, lined with pine and spruce forests and frequented by terns, gulls and white-tailed eagles. Medbådan, shaped by the last Ice Age, is accessible by canoe and guarantees calm waters for swimming. Storberget and Marsten look out over the Baltic Sea, with their clear horizons and salt-laden winds.
Although isolated, each island is far from inaccessible: they're all within a reasonable distance of a local community, close enough to go shopping at the corner store or take part in the festivities of Midsommar, the famous summer solstice festival.
Being an 'island keeper'
As mentioned above, the winner will not become the owner of the island - far from it: he or she will receive an official certificate, a twelve-month right-of-use contract (nyttjande-/upplåtelseavtal) and a return flight to Sweden (worth around SEK 20,000). It will be possible to camp, swim, invite friends and live in harmony with nature. On the other hand, it will be forbidden to rename the island, launch commercial activities or deny access to other visitors. This is because in Sweden, the 'Allemansrätten', the public right of access to nature, guarantees everyone the freedom to move around in natural areas.
Here are the words of Susanne Andersson, CEO of Visit Sweden, interviewed by Afar magazine:
"Our aim was to reflect Sweden's extraordinary geographical and ecological diversityand to show that 'luxury' can mean very different things in different parts of the country. Each island is a world unto itself."
How to take part
To enter, simply record a video in vertical format (9:16), no longer than one minute, upload it to the official visitsweden.com website and explain why you should have an island all your own (you'll find the entry form on the website).
Entries close on April 17, 2026 at midnight, after which the jury will announce the winners in May. Sharing your video on social media networks with the hashtag #YourSwedishIsland and the mention @visitsweden will increase your chances of being selected, although this is not a mandatory step. As mentioned above, in addition to the island, the prize also includes a return trip to Sweden. The competition is open only to non-Swedish residents aged 18 and over. And, of course, to those who are not billionaires.
(©GreenMe.it 2026/Managing editor: Julie Morgan - The Press Junction/Picture: Jessica Pamp via Unsplash)