Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Finland Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Finland Property Pack
Finland is one of the safest countries in the world for buying property, but foreigners still face unique pitfalls that locals know how to avoid.
The biggest surprises are not outright scams but slow-burning financial issues like hidden housing-company debt and upcoming renovations.
We constantly update this blog post to keep it accurate and useful for you.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Finland.
How risky is buying property in Finland as a foreigner in 2026?
Can foreigners legally own properties in Finland in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners can legally own residential property in Finland, but the rules depend on whether you are buying actual land or apartment shares in a housing company.
If you are a non-EU or non-EEA citizen and want to buy real estate that includes land, you generally need a permit from Finland's Ministry of Defence before completing the purchase.
Many foreigners buying apartments in Finnish cities do not face this restriction because they are actually purchasing shares in a housing company rather than land itself, which is a common legal structure in Finland that grants the right to occupy a specific unit.
What buyer rights do foreigners actually have in Finland in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners have essentially the same contractual protections as Finnish citizens when buying property, meaning the law does not discriminate against you based on nationality.
If a seller breaches a contract in Finland, you can pursue legal remedies through Finnish courts, and the country's strong rule-of-law environment means judgments are generally enforceable, though the process takes time.
The most common right foreigners mistakenly assume they have in Finland is instant clarity on what they are buying, when in reality the distinction between real estate and housing-company shares requires careful verification that many buyers skip.
How strong is contract enforcement in Finland right now?
Contract enforcement for real estate transactions in Finland is very reliable compared to most countries, as Finland consistently ranks among the top nations globally for rule of law and judicial efficiency.
However, the main weakness foreigners should know is that even in Finland, resolving a dispute through courts takes roughly 11 to 12 months on average for civil cases, so prevention is always better than litigation.
By the way, we detail all the documents you need and what they mean in our property pack covering Finland.
Buying real estate in Finland can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
Which scams target foreign buyers in Finland right now?
Are scams against foreigners common in Finland right now?
Outright property scams where someone steals your money and disappears are rare in Finland compared to many other countries, thanks to strong registry systems and traceable banking.
The transaction type most frequently targeted by scammers in Finland is online private sales without a registered brokerage, where payment pressure and fake urgency are easier to create.
Foreign buyers who are most commonly targeted are those purchasing remotely without visiting Finland or those unfamiliar with the housing-company share system who do not verify documents properly.
The single biggest warning sign that a deal may be a scam in Finland is pressure to pay quickly to a personal account rather than through normal bank and brokerage channels.
What are the top three scams foreigners face in Finland right now?
The top three scams foreigners face when buying property in Finland are: mistaking housing-company shares for straightforward property ownership (and missing the company's debts), sellers or agents downplaying moisture and mould damage in older buildings, and payment-pressure schemes asking for quick "reservation fees" to personal accounts.
The most common scam unfolds when a buyer focuses on the apartment's appearance, skips the housing-company financial documents, and only discovers after purchase that they owe tens of thousands of euros for upcoming pipe renovations or company loans.
The most effective protection against these three scams is: always request full housing-company documents and have them reviewed, insist on a professional moisture inspection for older homes, and never send money outside of normal bank and registered brokerage channels.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Finland versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How do I verify the seller and ownership in Finland without getting fooled?
How do I confirm the seller is the real owner in Finland?
The standard verification process in Finland is to obtain an official extract from the National Land Survey (NLS) for real estate, or check the NLS Residential and Commercial Property Information System for apartment shares, and match the registered owner's name to the seller's identity.
Foreigners should check the official NLS registry extracts rather than accepting PDF screenshots or summaries provided by the seller, as these extracts show the legally registered owner along with any pledges or restrictions.
The most common trick fake sellers use in Finland, though it is rare, is providing altered or outdated documents that do not match the current registry, which is why you must always obtain documents directly from the official source or through a registered brokerage.
Where do I check liens or mortgages on a property in Finland?
The official registry for checking liens or mortgages on real estate in Finland is the Land Information System managed by the National Land Survey, and for apartment shares you check pledges through the NLS apartment share registry.
When checking for liens in Finland, you should request a full extract that shows all registered mortgages, pledges, easements, and special rights attached to the property or shares.
The type of encumbrance most commonly missed by foreign buyers in Finland is the housing-company debt portion that attaches to apartment shares, because it does not appear as a personal lien but still becomes the buyer's financial responsibility.
It's one of the aspects we cover in our our pack about the real estate market in Finland.
How do I spot forged documents in Finland right now?
Forged documents in Finland property transactions are very rare, but when they occur, the most common type is a manipulated PDF of ownership or housing-company documents that has been altered to hide debts or misrepresent the seller's identity.
Red flags that indicate a document may be forged in Finland include inconsistent formatting, missing official stamps or reference numbers, and any document that cannot be traced back to the NLS registry or the housing company's official records.
The official verification method in Finland is to obtain documents directly from the National Land Survey registry system or request originals through a registered brokerage, and to cross-check key details like owner name and property identifier against the register yourself.
Get the full checklist for your due diligence in Finland
Don't repeat the same mistakes others have made before you. Make sure everything is in order before signing your sales contract.
What "grey-area" practices should I watch for in Finland?
What hidden costs surprise foreigners when buying a property in Finland?
The three most common hidden costs foreigners overlook in Finland are the transfer tax (4% for real estate or 2% for housing-company shares, calculated on the purchase price plus any company debt share), upcoming housing-company renovation charges (which can run from 10,000 to 50,000 euros or more for major works like pipe renovations), and due-diligence costs like condition inspections and radon testing (typically 500 to 1,500 euros combined).
The hidden cost most often deliberately concealed by sellers or agents in Finland is the full scope of planned housing-company renovations, which sometimes happens when sellers minimize upcoming pipe or facade repairs to protect their asking price.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Finland.
Are "cash under the table" requests common in Finland right now?
"Cash under the table" requests are not common in mainstream residential property transactions in Finland, especially when you buy through a registered brokerage and use bank financing.
When undeclared cash requests do occur in Finland, the typical reason sellers give is to reduce their reported sale price and lower their tax burden, but this is much rarer than in many other countries.
If you agree to an undeclared cash payment in Finland, you face serious legal risks including tax fraud charges, potential loss of legal protections if disputes arise, and difficulty proving what you actually paid if you need to enforce your rights later.
Are side agreements used to bypass rules in Finland right now?
Side agreements to bypass official rules are uncommon in Finland's residential property market, but they can appear as soft pressure to handle certain items like furniture or minor repairs outside the main contract.
The most common type of side agreement in Finland involves informal promises about included items or repairs that are not written into the official sale contract, which creates enforcement problems later.
If a side agreement is discovered by Finnish authorities, you face the risk that the informal terms are unenforceable in court, and if the side deal was designed to reduce taxes, you could face penalties and back-tax claims from Vero.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Finland compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
Can I trust real estate agents in Finland in 2026?
Are real estate agents regulated in Finland in 2026?
As of early 2026, real estate agents in Finland are regulated at the agency level, meaning brokerage agencies must register with a Regional State Administrative Agency (AVI) to operate legally.
A legitimate real estate agent in Finland should work for an agency that holds valid AVI registration, and at least one person in the agency must have passed the real estate agent qualification exam (LKV certification).
Foreigners can verify whether an agent's agency is properly registered by checking the official brokerage business register maintained by AVI, and if the agency is not listed, you should not proceed with them.
Please note that we have a list of contacts for you in our property pack about Finland.
What agent fee percentage is normal in Finland in 2026?
As of early 2026, the normal agent fee for residential property sales in Finland is typically in the low single digits of the sale price, often around 3% to 5% depending on the region and property type.
The typical range of agent fees in Finland covers most transactions between roughly 2.5% and 5%, though some agencies use fixed fees instead of percentages for lower-priced properties.
In Finland, the seller typically pays the agent commission, not the buyer, but buyers should still verify what the commission includes to avoid surprise charges for "marketing" or "processing" that should already be covered.
Get the full checklist for your due diligence in Finland
Don't repeat the same mistakes others have made before you. Make sure everything is in order before signing your sales contract.
What due diligence actually prevents disasters in Finland?
What structural inspection is standard in Finland right now?
The standard structural inspection process for property purchases in Finland is a pre-sale condition inspection (kuntotarkastus) performed by a qualified inspector, which is especially important for detached houses and older buildings.
A qualified inspector in Finland should check the foundation, roof, walls, moisture levels in bathrooms and basements, ventilation systems, electrical and plumbing condition, and any signs of water damage or mould.
The professional qualified to perform structural inspections in Finland is typically a certified building inspector (often with AKK or FISE certification), and you should always verify their qualifications before hiring.
The most common structural issues that inspections reveal in Finland are moisture damage in wet areas, ventilation problems causing poor indoor air quality, foundation issues in older slab-on-ground construction, and hidden water damage behind renovated surfaces.
How do I confirm exact boundaries in Finland?
The standard process for confirming exact property boundaries in Finland is to obtain cadastral map extracts and property information from the National Land Survey, which shows the legally registered boundaries and any easements or rights of way.
The official document showing legal boundaries of a property in Finland is the cadastral extract and map from the NLS Land Information System, which includes the property identifier and boundary coordinates.
The most common boundary dispute affecting foreign buyers in Finland involves shared driveways, shoreline access rights, or easements that were verbally promised but not officially registered, leading to conflicts after purchase.
If you need to physically verify boundaries on the ground in Finland, you should hire a licensed surveyor from the National Land Survey or an authorized private surveyor who can mark the legal boundaries based on official records.
What defects are commonly hidden in Finland right now?
The top three defects that sellers commonly conceal from buyers in Finland are moisture and mould damage (common, especially in older detached homes), poor ventilation causing indoor air quality problems (sometimes happens), and the full extent of housing-company renovation needs (common for apartment shares).
The inspection techniques that help uncover hidden defects in Finland include professional moisture measurement with electronic meters, thermal imaging to detect insulation gaps or leaks, radon testing for ground-contact homes, and careful review of housing-company financial documents and meeting minutes for upcoming repairs.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Finland. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
What insider lessons do foreigners share after buying in Finland?
What do foreigners say they did wrong in Finland right now?
The most common mistake foreigners say they made when buying property in Finland is not understanding the housing-company model, which means they bought shares plus liabilities without realizing the company's debt and renovation plans would become their financial burden.
The top three regrets foreigners most frequently mention after buying in Finland are: under-budgeting transfer tax by ignoring the company debt portion, trusting English summaries instead of obtaining official documents from the NLS registry, and skipping a proper moisture inspection on older buildings.
The single piece of advice experienced foreign buyers most often give to newcomers in Finland is to always read the housing-company financial documents and renovation plans carefully, even if you need to pay for translation, because one big renovation can cost more than your price negotiation savings.
The mistake foreigners say cost them the most money or caused the most stress in Finland is discovering after purchase that a major pipe renovation (putkiremontti) was planned, which can add 20,000 to 50,000 euros or more to the true cost of an apartment.
What do locals do differently when buying in Finland right now?
The key difference in how locals approach buying property in Finland compared to foreigners is that Finnish buyers are ruthlessly document-driven, especially with housing-company apartments, and they always read the full isannoitsijantodistus (property manager's certificate) and recent meeting minutes before making an offer.
The verification step locals routinely take that foreigners often skip in Finland is asking the housing-company board or property manager direct questions about upcoming renovations, special charges, and the company's loan situation, rather than relying only on sales materials.
The local knowledge advantage that helps Finnish buyers get better deals is understanding that one major renovation like a pipe or facade project can dominate total cost more than the purchase price itself, so they focus negotiations on the true all-in cost rather than just the listing price.
Don't buy the wrong property, in the wrong area of Finland
Buying real estate is a significant investment. Don't rely solely on your intuition. Gather the right information to make the best decision.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Finland, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can ... and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics Finland | Finland's official statistics office for property price data. | We used it to describe Finland's recent price trends going into early 2026. We also used it to ground market context in published quarterly releases. |
| Ministry of Defence Finland | The authority that grants permits to non-EU/EEA buyers. | We used it to explain when foreigners need a permit to buy real estate. We also clarified which nationalities are exempt from the requirement. |
| National Land Survey of Finland | Runs Finland's core land and title information systems. | We used it to explain how to verify ownership and liens during due diligence. We also referenced it for boundary and cadastral information. |
| Vero (Finnish Tax Administration) | The definitive source for Finnish tax obligations. | We used it to anchor our hidden costs section in official tax rules. We also used it to explain transfer tax calculation for shares and real estate. |
| Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (KKV) | Finland's consumer authority for real estate guidance. | We used it to frame buyer expectations from agents and sellers. We also referenced it for commission structures and complaint patterns. |
| World Justice Project | Independent global rule-of-law dataset used by institutions. | We used it to contextualize Finland's strong legal environment. We also used it to balance the narrative that scams exist but institutions are reliable. |
| Police of Finland | National police guidance on fraud reporting and patterns. | We used it to explain what scams are actually common in Finland. We also used it to shape practical steps for reporting and traceability. |
| STUK (Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority) | Finland's national authority for radiation safety including radon. | We used it for Finland-specific radon risk that buyers often underestimate. We also used it to justify radon checks in due diligence. |
| Regional State Administrative Agency (AVI) | Maintains Finland's brokerage business register. | We used it to show where to verify if an agency is registered. We also used it as a simple anti-scam filter for buyers. |
| Ministry of Finance Finland | Official explanation of transfer tax calculation rules. | We used it to highlight the Finland-specific surprise that tax on shares includes the debt portion. We used it to prevent under-budgeting by foreign buyers. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Finland. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.