Summer vacation doesn't always mean returning to everyday life fully rested. Almost every other Swede, 46 percent, at least sometimes feels like they need extra recovery after their vacation, according to a new international survey from Visit Sweden and YouGov.
For a smaller but significant group, the feeling is recurring. 18 percent of Swedes say they often or always need a ”vacation from the vacation” to regain energy.
The result is in line with developments in the other eight countries included in the survey. Denmark tops the list, where around 24 percent regularly experience a need for extra time off after the holidays. This is followed by France and the US at around 20 percent each.
Sweden is in the middle of the nine countries surveyed with 18 percent, about the same level as Norway. The lowest share is in Germany, where around 14 percent state that they often or always need to recover after the holiday.
Crowding and noise cause stress on vacation
The survey also points out several factors that can make the holiday itself less relaxing. Among the biggest stressors are crowded attractions and experiences, noisy environments and overcrowded public transport.
The results thus indicate that time off in itself does not necessarily equate to recovery. In all countries surveyed, there is a significant group of travelers who feel the need for additional rest when the vacation is over.
The survey was conducted by YouGov on behalf of Visit Sweden between June 26 and July 6, 2026. A total of 9,212 people over the age of 18 participated in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Swedish part included 1,017 respondents.
