Finland blocks 11 real estate deals by foreigners, including in Lapland
The prospective buyers cited plans to use the properties for activities like business, forestry as well as residential and recreational purp
Finland’s Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen (NCP) on Friday rejected 11 real estate purchase permit applications from buyers outside of the EU and European Economic Area (EEA), according to the ministry.
Real estate purchases by foreign entities are a potential vector for hybrid influencing tactics, Häkkänen said in a press release issued on Monday.
“Therefore we reject real estate acquisitions which we find that threaten national security and security of supply and have the potential to hamper the organisation of national defence activities,” the minister said in the release.
He added that Finland’s real estate transaction permit system — and its ban on property purchases by non-resident Russian and Belarusian nationals that rolled out in the summer — were an effective measure against such real estate deals being carried out.
The property deals in question were located across Finland, including in Mikkeli, Parainen, Puumala, Taipalsaari, Savonlinna, Simo, Kouvola, Parikkala, Kolari and Tornio.
The applicants cited plans to use the properties in a number of ways, including for activities such as business, forestry as well as residential and recreational purposes. The applicants in question were citizens of Russia, Israel, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, according to the defence ministry.
Referring to its legal authority in the matter, the ministry pointed to the Act on Transfers of Real Estate Requiring Special Permission.
However, it noted that the rejection decisions are not yet legally final.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Federal gov’t, Saskatchewan swipe sale of N.W.T. rare earth metals from Chinese buyer, CBC News
Finland: Finland’s Defence Ministry blocked Chinese plans for research airbase in Lapland, Yle News
