What you can buy as a foreigner in Helsinki and Finland? What areas are the best for investment in the Finnish capital city? What expenses are waiting for a foreign buyer? Read all about the purchase of Finnish real estate.
Rights and Obligations of Foreign Buyers
Citizens or legal entities of any country have the right to own real estate in Finland. From January 1, 2020, foreign buyers outside the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA) must obtain a permit from the Finnish Ministry of Defense to purchase real estate.
The law applies to real estate purchases throughout Finland, except the Aland Islands: a foreigner can purchase real estate here only with a special permit.
The following categories of buyers must obtain a license for the purchase of real estate:
an individual from outside the EU or the EEA countries. Buyers with dual citizenship do not need to obtain a permit if one of them belongs to an EU or EEA member state;
a legal entity with registration outside the EU and the EEA countries;
organizations with registration in the EU or the EEA, but in which the individual or legal entity mentioned in the previous two paragraphs has 10% of shares or more.
Applications are submitted electronically on the website of the Ministry of Defense of Finland.
The fee for the processing of an application is €150. It takes place before the submission, does not depend on the result, and cannot be refunded.
What Types of Real Estate a Foreigner Can Purchase in Finland
Foreign citizens have the right to purchase houses, apartments, commercial facilities, land, and even water bodies. Long-term rentals are also available.
What type of commercial properties you can buy in Helsinki:
695 500 €
Commercial property in Helsinki, Finland
235 sq.m
Finland
Supermarket near Helsinki
A commercial building leased for a long-term lease to a large grocery retail chain in Finland for a supermarket. A suburb of Helsinki.
Year of construction: 1988
The land plot is owned.
Next door in the building there is a restaurant (pizzeria, kebab, sushi) and residential buildings...
INDOM
1 000 000 €
Investment project in Helsinki, Finland
400 sq.m25% per year
Investments in the construction of residential complexes in Finland, income up to 25% per annum. Phased payment in the course of work.
The proposed investment scheme is a comprehensive solution that significantly exceeds the profitability and reliability of bank deposits and real estate investments in Russia, provides a stable cash flow and,...
Selected Real Estate LLC
2 160 000 €
Office in Helsinki, Finland
1351 sq.m
Contact a Habita representative for more information about this facility.
Habita International Estates Ltd
650 000 €
Investment project in Helsinki, Finland
240 sq.m25% per year
Online ViewingRemote Transaction
Investment project for the construction of a residential complex in Finland in the suburbs of Helsinki, investor income of 25% for 10 months. Various payment methods as work progresses on site.
We will assist in obtaining a European residence permit for the whole family. Collective investment options are being considered (2-3 co-investors with...
Selected Real Estate LLC
495 000 €
Office in Helsinki, Finland
64 sq.m
64 m2 pizzeria restaurant in Helsinki. A long-term contract with the largest Kotipizza chain. Corner room next to Sokos Hotel Tripla, 20 meters to the Tripla shopping center, 100,000 passengers per day at Pasila station. Varma company is building an office building 100 meters from the Tripla ~ 34,000 m2, also a high-rise Trigoni 60,000 m2 in the...
Selected Real Estate LLC
80 000 €
Cafe, restaurant in Helsinki, Finland
80 sq.m
Ready-made business for sale in Helsinki: grill bar of 80 m2, fully equipped, 26 seats inside and 12 on the terrace, turnover of about 50 thousand euros per month. The staff is 3 people, the rent is 2500 euros per month.
We advise investors in the restaurant and entertainment sector in Europe and provide solutions to various issues in the...
Selected Real Estate LLC
75 000 €
Cafe, restaurant in Helsinki, Finland
65 sq.m
Ready-made business for sale in Helsinki: pizzeria 65 m2, 24 seats. fully equipped, turnover is about 18 thousand euros per month, rent is 2,200 euros per month.
We advise investors in the restaurant and entertainment sector in Europe and provide solutions to various issues in the field of commercial, financial, technical, marketing,...
Selected Real Estate LLC
90 000 €
Cafe, restaurant in Helsinki, Finland
150 sq.m
Ready-made business for sale in Helsinki: 150 m2 restaurant in a prestigious new area near the center, 50 seats, fully equipped, turnover about 30 thousand euros per month, rent 5500 euros per month, staff 4 people.
We advise investors in the restaurant and entertainment sector in Europe and provide solutions to various issues in the field of...
Selected Real Estate LLC
120 000 €
Cafe, restaurant in Helsinki, Finland
130 sq.m
Ready-made business for sale in Helsinki: pizzeria 130 m2 in Vantaa district, 32 locations, the only point in the area, turnover 28-35 thousand euros per month, rent 1100 euros per month.
We advise investors in the restaurant and entertainment sector in Europe and provide solutions to various issues in the field of commercial, financial,...
Selected Real Estate LLC
189 000 €
Cafe, restaurant in Helsinki, Finland
465 sq.m
The business of a popular restaurant in the Kallio area is for sale: a kitchen for cooking, natural gas, a chimney and a hood. Large refrigerators and freezers. The work of the restaurant can be expanded by building a wine cellar or a microbrewery in the basement. Turnover in 2021 - 1.117 million euros, in 2022 - 1.135 million euros. Area 465...
Selected Real Estate LLC
135 000 €
Cafe, restaurant in Helsinki, Finland
153 sq.m
The business of a restaurant located on the popular Punavuori restaurant street is for sale, new furniture and equipment. The restaurant's kitchen has new equipment and furniture, high exhaust power, ventilation is sufficient for a wide range of kitchen activities. Area of 153 m2 + warehouse of 30 m2, capacity of 50 people. Rent 7700.00 (without...
Selected Real Estate LLC
450 000 €
Cafe, restaurant in Helsinki, Finland
320 sq.m
Restaurant business for sale in the center of Helsinki: 320 m2 in a historic well-maintained building, very high-quality renovation, two halls, a separate office for private events, two terraces - one facing the street, the other into the courtyard. A great place for business, a unique location. Turnover for 11 months of 2022 is 1,264 million....
Selected Real Estate LLC
150 000 €
Cafe, restaurant in Helsinki, Finland
54 sq.m
Pizzeria with an A-license for alcohol, in the very center of Helsinki, area 54 m2, hall with 30 seats. The main business is delivery in the center, with a regular clientele. There is a bar area, several refrigerators and freezers and three refrigerator walls.
Rent is 2,400 euros per month, turnover is about 50,000 euros per month.
150,000...
Selected Real Estate LLC
1 300 000 €
Cafe, restaurant in Helsinki, Finland
200 sq.m
Online ViewingBusiness on sale
A 200 m2 restaurant in Helsinki with a tenant, a lease agreement for 5 years (option +5 years). The total cost is 1,300,000 euros. It is possible to purchase on credit: 670,000 is paid for the transaction and the rest is a loan for 22 years. A new house, an elite area.
The monthly rent is 6.930 euros per month + VAT. The service fee is 1,150...
Selected Real Estate LLC
159 000 €
Shop in Helsinki, Finland
41 sq.m
Bright and functional commercial space with large windows in a great location in Kampi, Helsinki. The room was renovated at a high level 3 years ago. It is well suited for an office, retail space, beauty salon, hairdresser. 159,000 euros + transaction costs
Selected Real Estate LLC
295 000 €
Industrial in Helsinki, Finland
135 sq.m
Contact a Habita representative for more information about this facility.
Habita International Estates Ltd
120 000 €
Office in Helsinki, Finland
55 sq.m
Contact a Habita representative for more information about this facility.
Habita International Estates Ltd
123 750 €
Office in Helsinki, Finland
55 sq.m
Contact a Habita representative for more information about this facility.
Habita International Estates Ltd
398 000 €
Cafe, restaurant in Helsinki, Finland
119 sq.m
119 m2 pizzeria in Helsinki, long-term tenant, rental income 6.9% per annum.
Detailed information and photos are available on request.
398,000 euros + transaction costs.
We will help you get a European residence permit
According to laws of Finland, apartments are considered personal estate.
Apartment buildings belong to housing joint-stock companies (housing cooperatives), which own land near the house or lease it from the owner. Some shares are assigned to each apartment, depending on its value. You become a shareholder of a housing cooperative by purchasing such housing: you get the right to dispose of the apartment, which is equivalent to the ownership.
Cooperatives set rules about what residents can or cannot do during repairs. For example, you want to repair your bathroom. When it finishes, the company will send an inspection to make sure that the insulation, electrics, and plumbing meet the standards.
Where to Search for Real Estate in Helsinki
You can search for real estate offers in Helsinki using various open sources: internet portals, specialized publications, and thematic events.
Here, for example, are two popular search engines for the selection of real estate in Finland:
Etuovi.com
Oikotie.fi
Another option is Prian, where you can find estate offers in Helsinki and Finland. Sort them by important parameters, save the options you like, and subscribe to updates.
How to find a realtor in Finland
Buyers often turn to an agency to purchase realty in Finland. Only licensed agencies have the right to advertise and assist in a real estate deal. Therefore, you need to check the availability of a license to protect yourself from scammers.
You can also choose and buy real estate on your own. But without language knowledge and understanding the details of Finnish, it is problematic to go through this procedure.
Tasks of a realtor in Finland
Selection of objects that meet the client's requirements.
Organization of a trip to Finland to view real estate.
Coordination of prices and special conditions with the seller on behalf of the buyer.
Approval of the transaction procedure and the date of meetings at the notary.
Preparation of documents and contracts, checking the object for possible encumbrances.
Assistance in the implementation of a power of attorney transaction (if necessary).
A notary who checks the documents for the property and certifies the contract is responsible for the transaction purity.
The Best Locations in Helsinki for Real Estate Investment
Helsinki has 59 districts and 34 precincts, and each has a character. Today we focus on the most popular areas for living and buying real estate in Helsinki.
Kaartinkaupunki. An elite area of Helsinki. Real estate prices here show stable growth. Attractive to wealthy couples and families. The time of sale is short: the more spacious objects leave the market in an average of 5 weeks, the smaller ones - in less than 2 weeks. Residents are like it for good transport links, cafes, restaurants around the corner, and walking routes.
Kruununhaka. Located in the very center of the capital on the gulf shore. The architecture is represented by apartment buildings from the early 19th and 20th centuries.
Eira. The district is in the southern part of the center of Helsinki. The houses are usually located in the middle of the plot, not directly by the road. Most of the buildings are of the Jugend style: three-story buildings from the 1910s.
Kamppi. The shopping and entertainment center of the city.
Kallio. The center of urban culture. Popular among bohemians, young creative people, students, and professionals. Lots of small housing in the area, a central location, good cultural leisure, and excellent transport links.
Munkkiniemi. A quiet area with its traditions. Here you can find both terraced houses and apartment buildings. Lots of small houses near the sea.
Lauttasaari. The area is for families with children. Located 3 miles away from the city center. Well-maintained houses have a favorable impression. Mainly apartment buildings.
Vuosaari. The largest district of the capital. Many outdoor recreational areas. A ferry connects Vuosaari with the archipelago in summer. Here you can find terraced houses.
How to Buy Property in Helsinki Step-by-Step
Step 1. Reservation of the Property
Check the details of the property: ask the house manager and owner what repairs or other work the house company plans to implement and how much they will cost.
Both seller and buyer sign up a preliminary contract. At the same time, an official attorney–notary must be present.
A standard deposit is 3-5% of the cost of the object, although can be negotiated individually. But not less than €2,000 and not more than 10% of the transaction amount.
Step 2. The Purchase and Sale Agreement
The buyer inly need a passport to sign the contract. The purchase and sale agreement is usually prepared by a bank or a realtor in Finnish. A realtor and a notary must join the signing the contract. They guarantee the legality of the real estate transaction.
Stage 3. The Payment
The buyer must transfer the full amount of the transaction to the seller by the time the contract of sale is signed. If there is no installment plan, it takes about two weeks to complete the transaction.
In addition to the transaction itself, the buyer pays a transfer tax on ownership:
2% for apartments;
4% on real estate, notary services.
In Finland, sellers pay for agents' services.
Stage 4. The Ownership Registration
The buyer must register it with the National Land Service of Finland after closing the deal. If you don't submit documents within six months from the signing date, you will get penalties from 20% of the transfer of ownership tax. The maximum penalty can be 100%.
What type of residential properties you can buy in Helsinki:
1 450 000 €
Villa in Helsinki, Finland
450 sq.m
Finland
Helsinki suburb
An exceptional villa in nature
Villa without neighbors, in a forest area, in an impeccable ecologically clean Finland.
Location: Kirkkonummi, 33 km from Helsinki, on Espoo.
The villa is located on a large forest plot of 1 hectare 500m from the lake, there is a boat on the shore of the lake. The lake is intended...
INDOM
795 000 €
House in Helsinki, Finland
263 sq.m8
Finland
35 km from Helsinki
House on the lake near the park
A wonderful two-storey stone 8-room house on the lake, next to the Nuuksio National Park - a few minutes walk to the border of the park.
Land area: 2571m2
The plot is on the shore of the lake, with its own 100m coastline.
Year of construction of the house: 2005...
INDOM
885 000 €
Apartment in Helsinki, Finland
123 sq.m4
Finland
Helsinki
Apartments + office on the coast
Duplex apartment in a new house with a view of the sea coast, the embankment and the yacht port
A great offer for businessmen and entrepreneurs!
The total area is 123m2, 2 levels.
First level 37m2 - commercial - office/shop/salon with large showcase windows overlooking the sea coast...
INDOM
1 895 000 €
Villa in Helsinki, Finland
188 sq.m
Finland
southwest region, Uusimaa
Villa with a pier
Magnificent Scandinavian-style villa on a large lake
in the Uusimaa district (Helsinki region) in southwestern Finland.
To the border with the Russian Federation (Torfyanovka) 261 km (about 3 hours by car),
82 km to Helsinki (1 hour by car)
The land area of 1.72 hectares,...
INDOM
1 695 000 €
Flat in Helsinki, Finland
86 sq.m212
Online ViewingRemote Transaction
1-bedroom apartment with sauna 86 m2 with the best location in Helsinki city center!
Fully renovated 1-bedroom apartment is located on the 4th floor with elevator in a historically significant residential building in the heart of Helsinki city center near central railway station, metro, university, Stockmann shopping center, Cathedral,...
World Haus Finland
60 000 €
Flat in Helsinki, Finland
34 sq.m211
Remote Transaction
IT IS POSSIBLE TO PAY IN RUBLES IN RUSSIA.
Apartment of 34 m2 with a balcony in Vantaa.
Conservative investments in apartments in new buildings in the capital region - Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa are the safest in terms of reliability and liquidity: the apartment is purchased with guaranteed financing at 60-70% of the cost, at 3-4% per annum for...
Selected Real Estate LLC
349 000 €
Cottage in Helsinki, Finland
100 sq.m322
Online ViewingRemote Transaction
Unique residential complex in Porvoo. We will help you to obtain a European residence permit for the whole family.
Ready - October 2024
The fairytale Porvoo is located half an hour from Helsinki, founded in 1380. The center and the waterfront with its red barns are one of the most photographed landscapes in Finland. Porvoo is always popular...
Selected Real Estate LLC
309 000 €
House in Helsinki, Finland
114 sq.m431
Remote Transaction
It is possible to conduct a transaction remotely without your presence by proxy!!!
House for permanent residence in Helsinki
Year of construction – 1983. The total area is 114 sq.m. 1st floor.
Living room, equipped kitchen, 3 bedrooms, bathroom, sauna, terrace.
Price – 329,000 euros
The annual property tax is 502 euros /month....
VIPCON LKV - FINLYANDIYA
101 036 €
Flat in Helsinki, Finland
42 sq.m211
It is possible to conduct a transaction remotely without your presence by proxy!!!
Cheap studio apartment in Helsinki.
Year of construction – 1975. The total area is 41.5 sq.m. 2/3 floor.
Living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom.
The price is 101,035.90 € + installment payment from the management company for the repairs carried out in the...
VIPCON LKV - FINLYANDIYA
434 000 €
Apartment in Helsinki, Finland
105 sq.m651
Contact a Habita representative for more information about this facility.
Habita International Estates Ltd
249 000 €
Apartment in Helsinki, Finland
52 sq.m211
Contact a Habita representative for more information about this facility.
Habita International Estates Ltd
283 000 €
Apartment in Helsinki, Finland
46 sq.m211
Contact a Habita representative for more information about this facility.
Habita International Estates Ltd
30 964 €
Flat in Helsinki, Finland
64 sq.m211
Remote TransactionRental property
It is possible to conduct a transaction remotely without your presence by proxy!!!
One bedroom apartment in Hyvinkää
The year of construction is 1974. The total area is 64.5 sq.m. 3/3 floor.
Living room, equipped kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, balcony.
The apartment is rented out.
The price is 30,896 euros + an installment payment from...
VIPCON LKV - FINLYANDIYA
186 000 €
Apartment in Helsinki, Finland
81 sq.m321
Contact a Habita representative for more information about this facility.
Habita International Estates Ltd
369 000 €
Apartment in Helsinki, Finland
74 sq.m321
Contact a Habita representative for more information about this facility.
Habita International Estates Ltd
469 000 €
Apartment in Helsinki, Finland
99 sq.m422
Contact a Habita representative for more information about this facility.
Habita International Estates Ltd
219 000 €
Apartment in Helsinki, Finland
70 sq.m321
Contact a Habita representative for more information about this facility.
Habita International Estates Ltd
119 000 €
Apartment in Helsinki, Finland
28 sq.m11
Contact a Habita representative for more information about this facility.
Habita International Estates Ltd
149 000 €
Apartment in Helsinki, Finland
33 sq.m111
Contact a Habita representative for more information about this facility.
Habita International Estates Ltd
449 000 €
House in Helsinki, Finland
140 sq.m432
Online ViewingRemote Transaction
A unique residential complex in Porvoo. We will help you get a European residence permit for the whole family.
Ready - October 2024, phased payment.
The fabulous city of Porvoo is located half an hour's drive from Helsinki, founded in 1380. The center and the embankment with its red barns are one of the most photographed landscapes in...
Annual Taxes for Foreign Real Estate Buyers in Finland
Property owners in Finland must pay an annual tax that depends on the municipality and the purpose of the property. For example, a house for permanent residence is taxed lower, and a holiday cottage or a building plot is taxed higher. Housing cooperatives pay the apartment tax.
Basic Tax Rates in Finland
0.41-1.00%
For permanent residents
0.93-2.00%
For other categories
2.00–6.00%
For projects under construction
Rates vary in different municipalities. You can find detailed information on the website of the Ministry of Finance of Finland.
Please note!
Real estate ownership of any value does not give the right to apply for a residence permit or Finnish citizenship. A residence permit can be based on work, study, business, family ties, Finnish origin, political asylum, as well as permanent legal residence in the country for four years or more. Though, having a property will be an advantage when considering an immigration application.