The Ministry of Defence on Friday rejected 11 applications of real estate acquisitions made by buyers from outside the EU and EEA, said the ministry in a press release on Monday.
The negative decisions concerned properties in Mikkeli, Pargas, Puumala, Taipalsaari, Savonlinna, Simo, Kouvola, Kolari and Tornio.
The applicants had different kinds of plans for the real estate, such as business, forestry, residential and recreational use.
The applicants are citizens of Russia, Israel, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Negative permit decisions are based on the Act on transfers of real estate requiring special permission.
“Real estate is a tool for hybrid influence activities. That is why we will prevent any real estate transaction that in our estimation could threaten our national security and security of supply and possibly complicate the organisation of homeland defence. We can do this effectively thanks to our permit system for real estate transactions and the total ban on transactions by Russians and Belarusians that entered into force in the summer,” said Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen in the press release.
The decisions are not yet final.
Earlier on April 11, 2025, the Parliament approved a government proposal seeking ban on selling real estate citizens outside of EU and EEA.
In June 2025, the government also denied two prospective buyers from outside the EU and EEA.
- Finland
- Rejects
- Real estate
- Purchase
- Pleas
- Foreigners
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
