The Finnish Defense Minister blocked 11 property transactions by citizens from non-EU and EEA countries, including Russians. A ban on property sales by citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus came into effect in the summer.
As part of the ban introduced a few months ago on property purchases by Russians and Belarusians, the Finnish authorities have blocked several corresponding transactions. Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen rejected 11 applications for property purchases by foreigners from countries outside the European Union and the European Economic Area (EEA), Finnish public broadcasting company Yle reported on Monday, October 27, citing a statement from the Ministry of Defense in Helsinki.
Real Estate as a Tool of Hybrid Influence
"Real estate can be used as a tool for hybrid influence. Therefore, we reject such transactions that, in our assessment, may threaten national security and potentially complicate the organization of the country's defense," stated the Finnish minister. He also described the licensing system for real estate transactions and the ability to block them, as well as a complete ban on property purchases for citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus, as an "effective tool for addressing this issue."
Potential buyers included citizens of Russia, Israel, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, and they intended to acquire properties for business, forestry, living, recreation, and other purposes, Yle clarified.
The ban on property purchases in Finland by Russians
The ban on real estate transactions for citizens of Russia and Belarus in Finland came into effect on July 15, 2025. The country's government stated that permits for property purchases would not be issued to citizens of countries that violate the territorial integrity of other states and pose a threat to Finland's national security.
Minister Häkkänen explained that the new regulation aims to strengthen the country's security and counter any attempts at influence.
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