The Finnish government has blocked the sale of 11 real estate properties to foreign citizens, considering that these transactions could pose a threat to national security.

The Finnish government recently blocked the sale of 11 real estate properties to foreign citizens, considering that these transactions could pose a threat to national security. The Minister of Defense, Antti Häkämies, refused the sale and purchase authorizations, citing the Law on the Transfer of Real Estate, which allows the blocking of transactions that could affect national security or the defense of the country. The buyers were citizens from Russia, Israel, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, who intended to purchase the properties for commercial and recreational purposes. Häkämies emphasized that the real estate sector can be a channel for hybrid influence, which is why Finland opposes these acquisitions. Additionally, the Finnish Parliament has adopted a legislative amendment that completely prohibits the purchase of real estate by Russian and Belarusian citizens who do not reside permanently in Finland or in other EU countries.