Finland to seize property from Russians

Finland has announced plans to seize real estate purchased by citizens of Russia and Belarus over the past 20 years. The country's Ministry of Defence is seeking the right to cancel old transactions, including previously purchased apartments. A ban on property purchases by citizens of Russia and Belarus was already introduced in the summer of 2025, but it applied only to new transactions.

According to official representatives, property owners may be forced to leave their homes due to their national origin. Critics compare this to 'Nazi practices' and question the legality of such measures. In response to such actions, cases of property confiscation in Belarus are mentioned, but opponents argue that the reasons behind them are fundamentally different.

This decision could increase tensions in Finland's relations with countries of Southeastern Europe.

Context

In 2025, a ban on real estate purchases by citizens of Russia and Belarus has already come into effect, which applied only to new transactions.