Finland rejects 6 property purchase pleas by foreign nationals

The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday rejected six applications of real estate acquisitions made by buyers from outside the EU and EEA, said the ministry in a press release.

Those who applied for a permit to buy real estate in Kotka, Viitasaari and Miehikkälä were citizens of Russia, Montenegro and Israel, while the permit application for the real estate in Imatra was submitted by a company registered in Italy whose owners come from outside the EU and EEA.

The applicants had different kinds of plans for the real estate, such as rental and recreational use.

According to the ministry, the permit application for the real estate in Kotka was denied because the transaction could be considered a threat to national security and security of supply.

In the case of Viitasaari, Miehikkälä and Imatra, the applications were rejected because, despite reminders, the applicants failed to supply the information and statements requested by the ministry.

“A rigorous control of real estate transactions reduces security threats against Finland. In one of the cases, we prevented a transaction that could have had implications for Finland’s security because of the location of the real estate. In the other five cases, the applicants neglected their obligation to provide the Ministry of Defence with the statements necessary for security assessment. Failing to provide necessary statements is not a loophole to circumvent the permit process or prevent the Ministry from reaching a decision,” said Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen in the press release.

Earlier in October 2025, the ministry rejected 11 applications of real estate acquisitions made by buyers from outside the EU and EEA.

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.