Can foreigners buy property in Finland in 2026?

InfoFinland is direct: you do not need a permit to buy a housing share (asunto-osake / asunto-osakeyhtiö shares), regardless of citizenship. That covers the majority of urban apartments and many terraced homes, because the housing company owns the building and you buy the shares that give rights to a specific unit.

Non-EU and non-EEA citizens who buy real estate on its own property (for example a detached house with land, or a plot) usually need authorisation from the Ministry of Defence. Apply through the Ministry's property-surveillance process on defmin.fi before the deal completes. EU and EEA nationals buy real estate on the same footing as Finns for this permit rule. Dual nationals who hold one EU or EEA citizenship also sit outside the permit trigger for that nationality test.

Åland has its own land rules. Mainland apartment-share purchases still follow the housing-company path above. Always confirm the property type on the listing before you assume the capital-region flat you want needs a defence permit.

Vero (Finnish Tax Administration) charges transfer tax (varainsiirtovero) on home purchases. Official Vero rates are 1.5% for housing company and real-estate company shares and 3% for real estate and buildings, calculated on the debt-free price for share deals. Confirm the current Vero page before you bid; rates and bases are tax rules, not marketplace gossip.

Ads show a sales price and a debt-free price. The debt-free figure is the one that includes your share of any housing-company loan. Monthly hoitovastike (maintenance charge) and possible rahoitusvastike (finance charge for company debt) continue after purchase. Ask the house manager about planned renovations such as plumbing works before you sign.

Finnish banks underwrite mortgages against local income, debt capacity, and credit history. Without a Finnish salary file, many lenders ask for a larger cash share or decline. A henkilötunnus (Finnish personal identity code) and a Finnish bank relationship help the paperwork even for cash buyers; see Get a henkil�tunnus and Open bank account.

No. Title or housing-company shares do not replace a Migri (Finnish Immigration Service) residence permit, EU registration rules, or other lawful stay routes. You can own a home and still lack the right to reside or work. Plan the permit path first, then the purchase, unless you are an investor who will not live in the property.

Buying also does not skip Finnish rental realities if financing fails. Many arrivals still need a Vuokraovi or Oikotie lease while mortgages finish; see How to rent home and Rent in Finland.