The Finnish government is proposing to ban most Russian citizens from buying property in the Nordic country. This proposal has been made to protect national security, said Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen on September 2.
Relations between Finland and its neighbor Russia have deteriorated since Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This war prompted Helsinki to join the NATO military alliance.
The proposed ban on real estate purchases is not expected to affect citizens with dual citizenship and Russians who hold permanent residence permits in Finland or other European Union countries.
Experts will first assess the proposed ban, which will later be sent to Parliament for a vote.
“The regulations aim to prevent potential hostile influence against Finland,” Hakkanen said during a press conference.
Finland is currently monitoring about 3,500 properties associated with Russian owners, the Defense Minister said, without providing further details.
Helsinki has long sought to prevent Russians from buying property near strategic locations due to the strained relations between the two countries. Last October, Finland banned three property purchases by Russians, and in January of this year, it banned another three.
Finland shares a 1,340-kilometer border with Russia. The country has closed all border crossings with Russia and has accused the Kremlin of using migration as a weapon, encouraging Asian and African migrants to seek asylum in Finland.
