The Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen made negative decisions on 11 real estate properties that foreigners had applied for.
According to the Ministry of Defense, these applicants were citizens of Russia, Israel, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
“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 Antti Häkkänen.
The Ministry noted that these decisions had not yet taken effect.
From July 15, 2025, real estate transactions for citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus were prohibited in Finland. According to Finnish law, the ban on real estate transactions could also apply to people who have legal residency in a country that “poses a threat” or “is under the influence” of citizens of such countries.
