A Novus survey commissioned by Region Gotland shows that ferry prices significantly affect Gotlanders' ability to travel, with ticket prices for travel to and from the island continuing to increase, particularly sharply in the past year. According to Region Gotland, 87 percent of Gotlanders travel less than they would like, with 52 percent traveling significantly less and 11 percent not traveling at all due to high ferry prices. The chair of the regional board expressed concern that ferry prices impact daily life and social connections, and noted that more than every other Gotlander has discussed moving due to ferry prices.
Between 2024 and 2025, ticket prices for Gotlanders increased by 11 percent, according to Region Gotland. During the entire current contract period from 2017 to 2025, prices have risen by 68 percent for Gotlanders and 83 percent for their vehicles. Ferry prices to and from the island have increased by over 50 percent since 2017. More than every other Gotlander has to some extent talked about moving from the island due to ferry prices, and about one-fifth say ticket prices largely affect their thoughts about staying, with moving being considered, Region Gotland data indicates. It remains unclear how many Gotlanders are actually planning to move due to ferry prices, beyond those who have discussed it.
On April 8, the government presented new state support to Gotland traffic. The investment of 125 million kronor for 2026 is expected to contribute to lower ferry and flight prices for Gotlanders. Trafikverket has been tasked with ensuring accessibility throughout the country. The background is a government assignment from February 2026, where Trafikverket is to investigate the entire future of Gotland traffic from 2035. The investigation will weigh in ticket prices, fossil-free operation, total defense, and plans for a reserve harbor in Kappelshamn, with the report due by December 31, 2026. The alternatives include state-owned vessels with contracted operation, or traditional procurement of both boats and operators. It is not yet known what specific measures will be taken to ensure the state support leads to lower prices, or how it will be monitored.
Trafikverket is investigating whether ferries to Gotland can be slowed down a bit from 2035 to save fuel and reduce climate impact. Currently, the journey from Nynäshamn to Visby takes 3 hours and 15 minutes at today's speed of 28 knots. If the speed is reduced to 20 knots, the journey becomes approximately one hour longer. Trafikverket has sent questions to eleven shipping companies in the Baltic Sea about differences in cost, climate impact, and travel time ahead of the next major procurement. Trafikverket is also looking at fuel-efficient solutions such as hydrogen-powered engines, but battery operation is not considered realistic by 2035 due to weight and space requirements. Whether Trafikverket will actually implement slower ferry speeds from 2035, and the likelihood of this, is still under review.
Gotland sports associations with their participants carried out over 10,000 round trips to the mainland for league play and competitions during 2025. The number has increased steadily, but the state Gotland support that covers parts of the costs has lost value as prices for travel and transport have risen. According to RF-SISU Gotland, in recent years the coverage rate for travel has dropped to around 85 percent for league play and as low as 45 percent for camps and training exchanges. The chairman of FC Gute described the significant travel costs for youth teams, noting that every krona that can ease the burden is important for associations.
Residents have protested the price increases. The state funds parts of Gotland traffic with several hundred million kronor each year. The director general of Trafikverket stated that the lowered ticket prices are seen as a continued historical investment in transport infrastructure, strengthening Gotland's competitiveness and facilitating everyday life. How much exactly ticket prices will decrease for residents due to the 125 million kronor support has not been specified.