A Year on a Swedish Island, Unless You’re a Billionaire
The country’s tourism board is inviting travellers to become temporary island custodians, promoting nature over net worth.
Sweden is offering a taste of island life — without the billionaire price tag. As part of a new tourism initiative, the country is inviting travellers from around the world to spend up to a year on one of five privately located islands, free of charge. The only group explicitly excluded from applying: billionaires.
The project, launched by Sweden’s national tourism board, is designed to highlight what organisers describe as a distinctly Swedish view of freedom, nature and responsibility. Rather than selling exclusivity, the campaign reframes luxury as silence, space and time outdoors.
The five islands — scattered across Sweden’s vast archipelago — will be assigned to selected participants as temporary custodians. Winners will not gain ownership rights, nor will they be allowed to commercialise or rename the land. Instead, they will receive permission to use the island for one year, along with a formal certificate recognising their custodial role.
During that period, custodians are free to camp, swim, host friends and spend time in nature, provided they respect local wildlife and environmental rules. Sweden’s long-standing legal principle of public access also remains in force, meaning others may legally pass through or visit the islands.
The prize package includes a round-trip journey to Sweden for two people, but travel to the islands themselves is not covered. Winners will need to arrange local transport, such as a kayak, paddleboard or small boat, to reach their destination.
Applicants are required to submit a short video — no longer than one minute — explaining why they should be chosen. Creativity is a key criterion, and sharing the video on social media using the campaign hashtag can improve visibility. Submissions close in mid-April 2026, with winners to be announced the following month.
The competition is open to international travellers aged 18 and over, with one notable exception. The organisers have barred billionaires from participating, stating that the goal is to challenge traditional ideas of luxury and steer attention away from wealth accumulation toward simplicity and connection with nature.
By turning private islands into shared experiences rather than status symbols, Sweden is making a quiet statement: sometimes, the rarest luxury isn’t ownership — it’s restraint.