Finland rejects 14 property purchase pleas by foreign nationals

The Ministry of Defence on Thursday rejected 14 applications of real estate acquisitions made by buyers from outside the EU and EEA, said the ministry in a press release. The negative decisions concerned properties in Asikkala, Hyrynsalmi, Imatra, Laukaa, Pöytyä, Rautjärvi and Rovaniemi. The applicants were citizens or companies owned by citizens of China, Ukraine, Türkiye and India. They had different kinds of plans for the real estate, such as business, recreational and residential use. The decisions to deny the applicants a permit were based on the Act on Permit Requirements for Certain Real Estate Acquisitions. The Ministry gave as reasons for the negative decisions that the acquisitions could be deemed to risk national security, hinder the organisation of national defence or endanger security of supply. “Each decision is based on a comprehensive overall consideration of the case. We will prevent real estate transactions that could threaten our security,” 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 buyersfrom outside the EU and EEA.