Finland’s Defense Minister Antti Häkkanen has said that he is working on a complete ban on Russian nationals from real estate transactions in Finland, public broadcaster YLE said on January 15, citing Häkkanen’s interview with Utis Olainen newspaper. reported.
Hakanen already raised this issue last October, pointing out the security implications of Russia’s purchase of domestic real estate. Tensions between Helsinki and Moscow increased following the outbreak of Russia’s all-out war against Ukraine and Finland’s subsequent accession to NATO.
Finland aims to tighten licensing conditions for real estate transactions for individuals and companies outside the EU and European Economic Area (EEA), the defense minister said.
Hakkanen added that related decisions are expected to be taken already this spring.
Such restrictions mean, for example, that real estate lending will be more tightly controlled in the future and that the history of properties that have already been sold will be investigated.
Earlier this week, Finnish authorities blocked a Russian-linked company from buying real estate, saying such a deal could compromise national security. Three other acquisitions were blocked in October for similar reasons.
Real estate purchases are not the only means Helsinki sees as a means of destabilizing Russia.
Finland has closed its border with Russia following an influx of asylum seekers, mainly from countries in the Global South.
Finnish authorities suspected asylum seekers were being driven to the border by Russia in what Helsinki dubbed a “hybrid operation against Finland.”
Finland extends border closure with Russia for another month
Finland will extend the closure of all eight checkpoints along its border with Russia until at least February 11, Finnish news agency YLE reported on January 11, citing Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen. About.
