Finland blocks 14 foreign real estate purchases on national security grounds

Finland’s defence minister Antti Häkkänen has rejected 14 applications from foreign buyers seeking to purchase properties in the country, citing risks to national security, defence planning, or supply resilience, Yle reports.

The denied transactions involve buyers from China, Ukraine, Turkey, and India—either private citizens or companies owned by nationals of those countries. The properties in question are located in Asikkala, Hyrynsalmi, Imatra, Laukaa, Pöytyä, Rautjärvi, and Rovaniemi.

Intended uses for the sites included commercial operations, recreation, and residential purposes. Under Finnish law, non-EU and non-EEA buyers must obtain ministry approval for purchases in designated sensitive areas. Decisions may be appealed, and the rulings are not yet final.