Finland bans Russian and Belarusian property purchases
Not only Russians, but also Belarusians will be subject to a ban on purchasing real estate in Finland due to national security threats and hybrid activities, the Ministry of Defence in Helsinki announced on Friday.
On 11 April 2025, the Finnish parliament passed a law empowering the Finnish Ministry of Defence to block real estate transactions by individuals or entities from nations engaged in aggressive warfare and deemed a threat to Finland's national security. According to the Ministry, these criteria apply to Russia and Belarus. However, to implement the law practically, an executive order signed by Defence Minister Antti Hakkainen, which will come into effect in June, is necessary.
Prohibition on purchasing apartments. Finns extend it by one country
Finland, as a new NATO member and a country with over 870 miles of land border with Russia, is securing itself against all possible provocations. Helsinki has determined that in the current situation, the mere possibility of Russians purchasing apartments poses a threat to the state.
The parliament has already voted on the proposal to ban Russians from purchasing real estate in Finland. The Ministry of Defence added that Belarus has been included as an ally of the Kremlin, indirectly participating in the war with Ukraine.
The draft executive decree for the law will be circulated for feedback from 23 May 2025 to 9 June 2025. "The entry into force of the decree is planned for June, along with amendments to the law on the requirements for permits to purchase certain properties," the Finnish Ministry of Defence stated in a communication. Until that time, Russians and Belarusians can still purchase property in Finland according to the current procedure.
