Six negative decisions on real estate transactions

On 7 October 2026, Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen rejected six applications for a permit to buy real estate in Finland. The prospective buyers were from countries outside the EU an EEA, and the negative decisions concerned properties in Kotka, Viitasaari, Miehikkälä and Imatra.

Those who applied for a permit to buy real estate in Kotka, Viitasaari and Miehikkälä were citizens of Russia, Montenegro and Israel, while the permit application for the real estate in Imatra was submitted by a company registered in Italy whose owners come from outside the EU and EEA. The applicants had different kinds of plans for the real estate, such as rental and recreational use.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the permit application for the real estate in Kotka was denied because the transaction could be considered a threat to national security and security of supply. The decision was based on the Act on Permit Requirements for Certain Real Estate Acquisitions.

In the case of Viitasaari, Miehikkälä and Imatra, the applications were rejected because, despite reminders, the applicants failed to supply the information and statements requested by the Ministry of Defence. The decisions were based on the Act on Permit Requirements for Certain Real Estate Acquisitions and the Administrative Procedure Act.

“A rigorous control of real estate transactions reduces security threats against Finland. In one of the cases, we prevented a transaction that could have had implications for Finland’s security because of the location of the real estate. In the other five cases, the applicants neglected their obligation to provide the Ministry of Defence with the statements necessary for security assessment. Failing to provide necessary statements is not a loophole to circumvent the permit process or prevent the Ministry from reaching a decision,” Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen said.