Sweden Is Giving Away 5 Private Islands for a Year-Here's How to Enter

"Sweden has more islands than any other country in the world, and we would like to invite people to enjoy what may be the most genuine form of luxury: the peace and tranquility of nature on your own island. Each one 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."

"A recent YouGov survey found that 44 percent of respondents said they would be happy to escape the crowds for their own island, while the majority also responded that they are drawn to silence, fresh air, and free access to nature."

Sweden announced a program called Your Swedish Island, offering five lucky individuals the opportunity to live free on one of the nation's 267,000 islands for an entire year. Participants must commit to caring for their assigned island in exchange. The initiative, a collaboration between Visit Sweden and the National Property Board, targets people seeking peace and tranquility away from crowds. Each selected island is secluded yet accessible to nearby communities for essentials like groceries and local events. The program reflects high demand for nature-based solitude, with surveys showing 44 percent of respondents interested in escaping to private islands. Applications are open at visitsweden.com, though competition is expected to be intense.

Read at Travel + Leisure