Sweden is giving away private islands: Billionaires banned from applying

There are many ways to be rich in this life. You could be rich in love, surrounded by friends and family. You could be rich in time, to spend how you wish, whether that be meditating in the forest, cooking up a storm in the kitchen or going for a swim.

Visit Sweden has launched the “Your Swedish Island” initiative, offering another way to enjoy wealth: it is giving away five private islands for one year, Euronews writes.

“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 tranquillity of nature on your own island,” says Susanne Andersson, CEO at Visit Sweden.

Before you start planning on turning your private island into a resort or start some other money-making scheme, there are some caveats.

While it would be “Your Swedish Island”, as the name of the campaign implies, you won’t actually own it, and you won’t be able to rename the island in your honour. Instead, you will be the official island custodian (with a diploma to prove it) with a one-year right to use the island.

During that time, you’ll be able to camp, swim, invite your friends over, and spend time in nature, provided you show consideration for the local wildlife and environment.

To enter the competition, you’ll need to submit a video explaining why you deserve an island in under a minute.

The competition is open to all international travellers aged 18 and above, except billionaires. This is because Visit Sweden “seeks to redefine luxury as simplicity, silence, and freedom in nature – not material excess.”