Airbnb launches Solåterbäringen to make up for Sweden’s lost sunshine

Sweden has once again endured a dark winter – one that came close to being the darkest in many years.¹ For Swedes, the darkness meant more than just fewer hours of daylight. It meant cancelled plans, quieter social lives, and less time spent with the people who matter most.

When spring finally arrives, it brings more than longer days. It also brings Sweden’s other annual ray of sunshine: skatteåterbäringen – the moment when the government returns overpaid tax, and the unofficial start of summer planning season. When asked what they plan to spend their tax refund on, Swedes’ second most common answer is a summer holiday, beaten only by saving money.² This year, Airbnb is adding something extra. Introducing Solåterbäringen: a sun refund for every Swede who made it through another dark winter. 

A new survey, conducted by Verian on behalf of Airbnb, shows just how deeply the darkness can affect everyday life. 8 out of 10 Swedes say their energy level is higher during the summer compared to winter, and 73% say the amount of sunlight directly affects how motivated they feel to make social plans. 64% of Swedes experience a more social life during the summer compared to the rest of the year. The impact goes beyond the social calendar, with half saying their mood noticeably worsens when they see friends less often. 

It is a pattern that psychologist Björn Hedensjö recognises well: “During a long dark winter, our energy levels often drop, our circadian rhythms are disrupted and our mood declines. This leads us to cut back on both physical activity and social engagement. A winter of many small ‘no’s, cancelled dinners and postponed coffee dates may not mean that relationships die, but they can go into hibernation.”

He continues: “The research shows that reduced daylight affects the brain’s regulation of melatonin and serotonin, leading to typical behaviours such as turning down social activities that would actually do us good. And these things are of course connected – because increased exposure to sunlight doesn’t just make us happier, it makes us want to socialise more. That’s why the need to reconnect feels so strong when the light finally returns – and why a trip with friends can be an effective way to wake those dormant bonds back to life.”

Based on official sunshine data from SMHI, Airbnb has calculated how many hours of sunshine each region in Sweden lost during the past winter – an average of 1,233 hours.³ A deficit that never really shows up on paper, but one Swedes feel throughout their whole body. Each region will receive a Solåterbäring reflecting how little sunlight they saw this winter – a symbolic discount of up to 12.59%* to put towards discovering somewhere new in the sun to travel to this summer.

Lisa Marçais, General Manager for Northern Europe at Airbnb, said: “When December looked to be the darkest in a long time, searches for summer destinations on Airbnb jumped 25% in Sweden.⁴ The sun-soaked piazza in the coastal town you only discovered because your host recommended it, the aperitivo on your own personal rooftop terrace to soak in the sunset, the evening swim in your private pool where nobody wants to get out of the water. That’s what Airbnb and Solåterbäringen is about: getting back out in the sun, traveling to experience somewhere new, and creating memories with the people you’ve missed all winter.”

After a winter like this one, group travel is on the rise – 7 out of 10 Swedes say they would like to travel more with friends than they currently do, and large group searches on Airbnb are up 17% year on year.⁵ Airbnb data reveals exactly where Swedes are heading to discover something new in the sun this summer. The Algarve tops the list for 2026,⁶ while younger travellers are increasingly drawn to the sun-soaked shores of southern Europe – with Valencia, Provence-Alpes, Sardinia and Dubrovnik-Neretva all gaining ground.

Because the best group trips aren’t spent apart. They’re spent in a shared kitchen making breakfast, around a pool arguing about whose turn it is to dive, on a terrace that belongs to all of you. On Airbnb, group bookings have never been easier, with shared wishlists to help you decide – and Reserve Now, Pay Later to help you pay over time but not miss out on making that booking. Here are some standout places to start:

Explore new places in the sun for you and your friends

Bastide with garden and pool – Provence-Alpes, France (sleeps 15)

An 18th-century bastide and its ancient mill, sitting at the heart of a Provençal village ten minutes from Saint-Rémy. Eight bedrooms, three salons, a double-height kitchen with an open hearth, a heated pool shaded by a century-old plane tree – and, on Fridays, a market on the doorstep. The kind of place that calls for long lunches, good wine, and no particular plans.

Villa Poniente Montiboli – Valencia, Spain (sleeps 6)

A rustic-Mediterranean villa perched above the Costa Blanca, with a wide sea-view terrace and a direct path down to the beach. Stone and timber interiors, an open-air fireplace for evening barbecues, and front-row seats to the kind of sunsets the Spanish coast does best.

Villa Antisa – Sardinia, Italy (sleeps 5)

Tucked into the Sardinian countryside a few minutes from the crystalline waters of Solanas, this single-storey villa offers an easy rhythm of beach mornings and poolside afternoons. A generous garden, outdoor kitchen, and barbecue make it a natural place to linger long after the sun has dipped below the hills.

Vacation house with swimming pool – Dubrovnik, Croatia (sleeps 8)

A sun-warmed villa perched on the Dubrovnik Riviera, with sweeping views across the Adriatic to the Elafiti islands. The heated pool and outdoor kitchen invite long, unhurried days in the sun, while the Old Town, the Pelješac peninsula, and the islands of Lopud and Šipan are all within easy reach – by car, or by speedboat from the beach a 15-minute walk away.

Casa do Mar – Alvor, Portugal (sleeps 6) 

A sleek, designer-furnished apartment in the sun-drenched Algarve village of Alvor, a short stroll from the lagoon and the old town’s cobbled streets. With a plunge pool, shaded terrace, and a garden office tucked into lush surroundings, it’s the kind of place where lazy afternoons slip effortlessly into warm evenings. 

Swedes can claim their Solåterbäring sun refund at airbnb.com/e/solaterbaringen . Discount values are calculated by region using official SMHI sunshine data  and can be applied to eligible Airbnb bookings until 20 July 2026. 

ENDS