The Swedish government, through Visit Sweden and the National Land Board, has launched the “Your Swedish Island” 2026 program, which gives foreign citizens the right to live on and maintain a private island for 12 months.
The initiative responds to growing demand for uncrowded destinations and presents the country’s natural heritage as a vehicle for well-being.
According to data from the research firm YouGov, 44% of international travelers are interested in remote destinations to avoid overtourism. Programs like Your Swedish Island 2026 tap directly into that trend.
Visit Sweden CEO Susanne Andersson described the goal as offering an experience of “genuine luxury” rooted in silence and unrestricted access to nature, far removed from the conventional tourist trail.
Conditions of the Program and Selection
Prospective participants can apply to become “official custodians” of one of the five selected sites by the end of May.
A committee will evaluate candidates based on creativity and personal motivation for preserving the site, with winners announced in June 2026.
The program is open to international travelers over 18 who follow Visit Sweden on social media. Swedish citizens and billionaires are excluded from applying, though this is based on self-declaration — no additional verification is conducted.
The benefit includes exclusive use rights to the land, a stewardship certificate, a travel voucher to cover the trip to Sweden, and a contract outlining basic maintenance responsibilities.
It is worth noting that while the island custodianship itself is free, selected candidates will need to cover significant personal expenses. Accommodation on the mainland, food, local transportation, camping gear, and technical clothing for different seasons are all the custodian’s responsibility.
Profiles of the Five Available Islands
With more than 267,000 islands, Sweden has the most extensive archipelago in the world — more than any other country.
The five islands featured in the program were chosen for their isolation, though each sits within a reasonable distance of local communities to ensure access to basic supplies and emergency services.
The five sites that make up the “Your Swedish Island 2026” initiative are:
- To the north, near the city of Umea, lies Medbadan, a stretch of land that emerged from the sea after the last ice age. In summer, the sun barely sets; in winter, clear skies make it ideal for watching the northern lights.
- On the east coast, close to Norrtalje, sits the island of Skotbadan, a low, sea-washed shelf of rock that once served as a hub for the herring fishing industry. Today, it is a marine wildlife observation site near the island of Arholma, which is home to Cold War-era military installations.
- Further south, off Nynashamn, lies Storberget, a pale granite outcrop facing open water where the wind rules and the sea stays cold, despite the island’s closeness to Stockholm.
- Inland, the island of Tjuvholmen occupies a prime position on Lake Vanern, Sweden’s largest lake. Surrounded by pine forest and waterbirds, it faces a 12th-century castle on the horizon.
- Finally, on the west coast near Falkenberg, sits Marsten, an island of exposed rock and low-lying vegetation, just minutes from Skrea Strand, where coastal hiking and cold-water swimming are local traditions.
Selected custodians will serve as temporary stewards under the principle of minimal human impact.
The arrangement is governed by the Allemansratten, Sweden’s right of public access. This principle allows anyone to move freely through natural environments, provided they do not disturb the ecosystem or interfere with private property.
Within that framework, custodians are free to inhabit the space: swimming, camping, and receiving visitors are all permitted, as long as the activity does not threaten wildlife or the integrity of the landscape. The Your Swedish Island 2026 initiative is not a conventional lodging offer — it is an open call for travelers who value authenticity and the quiet of nature over standard hotel amenities.
