Purchase a Property in Finland

Updated on Wednesday 06th December 2023

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If you want to purchase a property in Finland, you have various options in terms of types of real estate. The formalities to complete are not difficult, however, it is recommended to use the services of a law firm in Finland, if you want to handle the entire procedure as soon as possible. One of the most common questions in this case is can foreigners buy property in Finland? The answer is yes.

Below, our local lawyers explain the procedure of buying a house or apartment in Finland, two of the most common types of properties here.

Requirements for foreign citizens who want to buy a home in Finland

While there are no restrictions when it comes to foreign citizens who can acquire real estate in this country, for some of them, a special permission is required. 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 a permission;
also, if a non-EU/EEA citizen is married to a Finnish citizen, the permission is no longer required.

The same principle applies to those who have permanent residency in Finland (they no longer need to apply for such a permission).

If you need assistance in filing for such a permit, you can rely on our Finnish lawyers.

Types of properties available for acquisition

Choosing the type of real estate is important when you decide to buy a property in Finland. In such a case, 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.

If you want to immigrate to Finland and buy a property, you can rely on our specialists who can help you with both procedures.

Steps in buying a property

Here are the main steps to complete 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;
meet the seller in a public notary’s office;
sign the sale-purchase agreement;
paying the taxes and fees associated with the transaction;
filing for registration with the Land Register.

Can foreigners buy property in Finland? In the case of non-EU/EEA residents, the permission from the Ministry of Defence is the additional step to complete. You can rely on our Finnish law firm for support during the transaction.

Legal support related to the purchase of property in Finland

Hiring a local lawyer to help you with the legal side and ensure a smooth transaction is highly recommended when you decide to buy a house in Finland. He or she can assist with:

the real estate due diligence procedure which implies checking the property before acquiring it;
the purchase agreement that needs to be drafted in accordance with the legislation;
obtaining the permissions and approvals you need, like those from the local Land Registry Office or other appropriate authorities;
obtaining the new title deed with the Land Register.

Feel free to address our lawyers if you need assistance when buying a home in Finland. We can also help if you want to immigrate to Finland.

Real estate taxes to consider in Finland

Finland is a great country to own a property in, as some buyers are exempt from the transfer tax.

If you are not in this category, if you purchase a property in Finland, you should consider the following:

the transfer tax is set at 4% of the property’s market value;
the annual property tax varies from 0.6% to 4% depending on where the property is located;
the rental tax (for those who want to rent their properties) is set at 30% to 34% after all the applicable deductions.

If you are interested in real estate acquisition, contact us. We are also at your service if you want to apply for citizenship in Finland.