The Finnish government on Thursday proposed a bill that would restrict real estate transactions involving foreigners that could threaten “national security.”
The draft, which comes in the wake of Russia’s war in Ukraine, includes an amendment to a 2020 law which states that transactions by individuals or companies from outside the European Union must always be approved by the Defence Ministry.
“The context behind the bill is Russia’s war against Ukraine,” Central Party legislator Joonas Kontta, a member of the Defence Committee, confirmed. He said the bill targets primarily Russians and the associated security risks.
The amendment would take effect early next year.
