The property targeted by the Finnish Ministry of Defense’s blocked transaction was located in Ruokolahti on October 19, 2023. On that day, the Ministry announced three negative permit decisions concerning real estate transactions involving Russian buyers. These decisions pertained to two properties in Ruokolahti, South Karelia, and one property in Kitee, North Karelia. The Ministry cited national security concerns as the basis for these rejections./ Srt Lehtikuva
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Finland’s parliament has passed a law banning non-resident Russian citizens from purchasing property in the country, citing national security concerns.
The law passed unanimously on Friday.
It applies to foreign nationals and companies not permanently resident in Finland. Russian citizens who live permanently in the country remain eligible to buy property but must obtain permission from the Finnish Ministry of Defence.
The new law targets individuals and entities from countries the European Union considers to be engaged in wars of aggression or hostile acts. Finland’s government has linked the move directly to Russia.
“This decision sends a clear message — we will not allow Finland to be undermined,” Antti Häkkänen, Minister of Defence, said. “I was very pleased that Parliament so comprehensively supported this proposal.”
The Finnish Ministry of Defence is preparing a policy to define countries considered a threat. This includes states that violate the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of another state, and those posing risks to Finland’s infrastructure or autonomy.
YLE, Finland’s public broadcaster, reported that while Russia is not named in the law, the current implementation applies only to Russian nationals. The restriction follows months of growing concern over Russian property ownership in Finland.
The bill originated in September 2024. Government officials cited worsening security conditions and the threat posed by property linked to Russian interests.
The Finnish Defence Ministry previously stated that Russia represents a long-term threat to European security and identified property transactions as a possible method of influence or disruption.
There have been reports of suspicious Russian-owned properties in Finland. Some included fortified buildings with private helipads or unprofitable hotels located near critical infrastructure. Authorities have raised concerns that these properties could be used for purposes other than civilian activity.
In June 2024, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told Bloomberg News that such properties “could be used to cause harm, or perhaps as a springboard for a broader operation.”
The Finnish government is also drafting a new bill to increase its powers to interfere with or restrict the use of already acquired property if it is believed to pose a security risk.
The new legislation follows broader measures by Finland aimed at protecting its eastern border and limiting Russian influence. In July 2024, the Finnish parliament approved a law allowing border guards to return asylum seekers arriving from Russia. This measure was introduced to counter attempts to use migration as a geopolitical tool.
Finland shares a 1,300-kilometre border with Russia — the longest of any NATO member.
In recent years, Finnish authorities have accused Russia of enabling illegal crossings. In November 2023, Finnish border guards recorded a sharp increase in the number of people without proper documentation attempting to cross from Russia.
On 15 November 2023, Prime Minister Orpo stated that Russia was helping migrants from the Middle East, Africa, and Russia to enter Finland without valid documents.
In response, Finland began closing border checkpoints on its southeastern frontier. In April 2024, the Finnish government extended the closure of those checkpoints indefinitely.
Since joining NATO in 2023, Finland has introduced a series of national security measures. These include changes to border control and foreign property laws.
The government maintains that the actions are aimed at reducing the threat of foreign influence and safeguarding the country’s sovereignty.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
