Investment property: Finland
Finland is a stable, transparent Nordic market centered on Helsinki and its metropolitan area, with a separate niche segment of holiday properties by the lakes and ski resorts.
Two things matter for a non-resident investor. First: since 2020, buyers from outside the EU and EEA need a permit from the Ministry of Defence for direct real estate purchases; at the same time, most urban apartments in Finland are legally held as shares in housing companies - a distinct form of ownership with its own rules. Second: in 2025 Finland introduced legal restrictions on property purchases by Russian citizens, which needs to be factored into planning. There is no residency-by-property program - a purchase grants no immigration status whatsoever.
Our work here starts with verifying that the deal is possible at all: the buyer's citizenship, the property's legal form, whether a permit is required. Then comes selection for your goal, due diligence on the property and the housing company - including its debts and renovation plans - transaction support, and ownership structuring. If your real goal is relocating to Finland, we will say honestly that property does not solve that, and go through the actual immigration options separately.
Buying property in Finland as a Russian since 2025
Since 15 July 2025 the law has banned Russian and Belarusian citizens from buying property in Finland. The exception is those with a Finnish permanent residence permit or an EU long-term residence permit issued by Finland: they can ask the Ministry of Defence for permission. Other buyers from outside the EU and EEA need the ministry's permission before the deal, and the ministry has already refused on security grounds.
We will calculate online the full purchase cost for your budget: taxes, fees and transaction costs.
Buyer and owner taxes
| Tax | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer tax | 1.5% for housing company shares, i.e. a flat; 3% for a house with land |
| Property tax | 0.41-2% of the taxable value a year, set by the municipality |
| Gains on sale | 30% up to €30,000 and 34% above; your own home after 2 years of living there is exempt |
A flat as housing company shares
Most city flats in Finland are formally shares in a housing company that owns the building. The buyer pays 1.5% transfer tax and then a monthly maintenance charge and sometimes a renovation charge. Before the deal we check the manager's report on planned renovations: replacing pipes or the facade can mean sizeable extra payments.
What we do
- We check whether you may buy and whether Ministry of Defence permission is needed.
- We analyse the housing company documents and planned renovations.
- We support the deal and registration.
What we do
- Property shortlist for your investment goal
- Legal due diligence on the property
- End-to-end transaction support
- Ownership structuring (company, trust)
- Property management and letting
See also
Company formation · Business account · Personal account · Country taxes · All country programs
FAQ
Can a foreigner buy property in Finland?
Does buying property grant residency in Finland?
Where do I start?
Can Russian citizens buy property in Finland?
What is the transfer tax on a flat in Finland?
What is a Finnish housing company?
Do you need residence to buy property in Finland?
Is selling your own flat taxed in Finland?
Which property in Finland fits your goal?
We explain whether you need a permit to buy property in Finland, shortlist properties and review the documents. Every country is in the searchable catalogue.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
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