Purchase a Property in Finland - Rely on Our Lawyers

If you want to purchase a property in Finland, you have various options in terms of types of real estate. You are welcome to use the services of our law firm in Finland, if you want to handle the entire procedure as soon as possible.

Quick Facts
Specific legislation applicable (YES/NO)	Yes, the Code of Real Estate.
Possibility to acquire Finnish properties by foreigners (YES/NO)	Yes, foreign citizens can buy properties in Finland.
Special considerations for foreigners (if any)	Non-EU/EEA citizens need a Ministry of Defence permit to acquire real property (not for housing-company apartment shares); since 15 July 2025 citizens of Russia and Belarus are in principle barred.
Types of properties that can be purchased in Finland	– houses, – apartments, – commercial units.
Real estate due diligence required (YES/NO)	Not mandatory, but strongly recommended.
Documents to draft for property acquisition	– buyer’s valid ID/passport, – sale-purchase contract, – energy efficiency certificate for the property, – proof that the property is encumbrance-free, – title deed, – property survey.
Financing options availability (YES/NO)	Yes, it is possible to buy Finnish properties through mortgage.
Special property acquisition programs for foreign citizens (YES/NO)	No.
Timeframe to acquire a property in Finland (approx.)	2 to 3 months.
Taxes to consider upon a property purchase	– real estate transfer tax, – legal fees, – real estate agent fee (if available), – registration tax.
Land Registry registration requirement (YES/NO)	Yes, the property must be registered with the Land Registry.
Best cities to buy properties in Finland	– Helsinki, – Tampere, – Turku, – Vaasa, – Rovaniemi.
Possibility to appoint a Finnish representative during the transaction (YES/NO)	Yes, you can also rely on our Finnish law firm.
Property tax rates in Finland	0.41% to 6% of the taxable value, depending on the property type and the rate set by the municipality.
Support in buying a property in Finland (YES/NO)	Yes, our lawyers in Finland can assist with the acquistion of a property.

Can I buy real estate in Finland if I am a foreigner? Are there any restrictions?

Yes, you can buy real estate in Finland; however, you need to consider the special requirements applicable to non-EU/EEA citizens.

What are the conditions to buy a property in Finland as a non-EU citizen?

Here are the main aspects to consider from this point of view:

non-EU and non-EEA citizens and companies need permission to buy a house in Finland, respectively, commercial buildings;
if the property is located in a unit hosting more properties, these citizens do not need such permission;
also, if a non-EU/EEA citizen buys the property jointly with a spouse who does not need a permit (e.g. a Finnish citizen), the permission is not required.

The exemption does not extend to those who merely have permanent residency in Finland (they still need a permit; permanent residence only exempts Russian and Belarusian citizens from the total ban in force since 15 July 2025).

We also have an infographic on this topic below:

What are the steps to buy a property in Finland?

Here are the main steps to go through when you buy a house in Finland:

completing the due diligence procedure;
setting up a bank account where the money for the transaction will be deposited;
sign the deed before a public purchase witness (or in the National Land Survey’s electronic service);
sign the sale-purchase agreement;
paying the taxes and fees associated with the transaction;
filing for registration with the Land Register.

In the case of non-EU/EEA residents, the permission from the Ministry of Defence is the additional step to complete.

What are the documents to buy a property in Finland?

The list of papers required to acquire real estate in Finland is similar for Finnish citizens and foreigners. It implies:

a valid identification paper (the ID or passport in the case of Finnish citizens and the residence permit in the case of foreigners);
the sale-purchase agreement;
the energy certificate, which is a document attesting to the energy efficiency class of the property;
the certificate of ownership or another document proving the legitimacy of the person/company selling the property;
proof of payment of the property levy and other taxes (such as mortgage);
title deed and property survey;
building permit or other similar licenses;
copies after the last utility bills.

If you need assistance in gathering some of these documents, you can rely on our law firm in Finland, especially when it comes to papers issued by various authorities.

Do I need to be in Finland when signing the sale-purchase agreement?

No, it is also possible to complete the acquisition from a distance with the help of a power of attorney for representation. One of our Finnish lawyers can act as your agent.

Is real estate due diligence required when purchasing a property in Finland?

While this procedure is not mandatory, it is good to perform it to ensure the desired property meets all your requirements. The procedure does not hinder the acquisition process, as it takes a few days, which is one of the reasons many buyers choose to skip it.

What are the types of properties available for sale in Finland?

You can choose between:

houses;
apartments;
partially-owned houses;
right-of-occupancy apartments.

Most people who want to buy a house in Finland usually decide on fully owned houses and apartments.

Here is also a video on how to buy a Finnish property:

Are there any special aspects to know when buying a property in Finland?

Yes, Finland relies on two acquisition models, as follows:

direct ownership, which means buying the land and the buildings on it, if there are any;
indirect ownership, which means buying shares in a housing company that enables the buyer to own one unit in a building that is owned by the respective company.

NOTE: The second model is the most popular in Finland, as the housing company is in charge of the maintenance of the building in which you would own the unit, which implies fewer maintenance costs for you.

Are advance payments common when buying a property in Finland?

Yes, you would be expected to pay around 10% of the property price. At this stage, you would also sign a pre-sale contract.

How long does it take to buy a property in Finland in 2026?

The procedure is completed in about 2 months if you do not need permission from the Ministry of Defence. If a permission is required, the procedure can take up to 6 months.

If you are interested in real estate acquisition, contact us.