Finland, although formally following the path of the "Scandinavian model", has not yet achieved the same success as Sweden and Norway. But this does not mean that the country is lagging far behind - on the contrary, the government is squeezing the most out of what it has. It is not for nothing that Finland took 1st place in the ranking of the happiest countries in the world in 2024. Therefore, buying real estate in Finland remains a reliable way to find your "safe haven" where you can live and work in peace.
Advantages of buying residential property in Finland
Buying property for sale in Finland means making a good investment for permanent residence. Over 70% of the country is covered by forests, due to which the local air is cleaner than in Western Europe. Finland also stands out for:
- A stable real estate market. Housing prices in Finland are growing moderately (0.6% per quarter), which ensures the reliability of investments.
- Availability for foreigners. The legislation allows foreigners to freely buy real estate in Finland, with the exception of certain restrictions on the Åland Islands.
- Stable rental income. The average yield from renting out housing is not the highest, only 3-4% per annum, but it is protected from market fluctuations and is growing steadily.
How much does housing cost in Finland
Finland property prices are varied. The Finland real estate website offers apartments, private houses, cottages, new buildings and secondary housing. The average price per square meter in the country is about 2400 euros, but in large cities it is much higher.
Average Finland real estate prices:
| Property type |
Average price (€/m²) |
| Apartments in new buildings |
3600–6300 |
| Resale |
3600–6300 |
| Private houses |
1500–2100
|
The sale of real estate in Finland is not always regulated by the quality of the property. That is, you can buy a house, but then you will have to invest another 15–20% of its cost in repairs. But such a property will cost 20–30% less.
Popular cities and regions for buying property in Finland
Helsinki is the leader in housing demand: you can buy a home in Helsinki for 3,600–6,300 euros per square meter. It is expensive, but it is the capital, and it has the most opportunities for work and the highest rental rates (18–25 euros/m²).
In Helsinki's satellite city of Espoo, prices are lower than in the capital by an average of 10–15%. In monetary terms, this is approximately 3,300–4,200 euros/m². There are well-developed residential areas designed for families.
Tampere is the leader in the number of educational institutions per capita, so the basis of the market is rental housing for students and young professionals. If you buy real estate in Tampere, the average figures vary within 2,600–3,500 euros/m².
Lapland (Rovaniemi) is a region for nature lovers and ski resorts. The average price is 1,500–2,100 euros/m². Cottages are mainly built here, the distinctive feature of which is the mandatory presence of a sauna.
Nuances of buying a home in Finland
Foreigners can freely buy property in Finland, but for houses with garden plots, you must first obtain permission from the Ministry of Defense. The Åland Islands also require permission, but due to the disputed nature of the territories, it is better to find another option for investment.
When buying real estate in Finland, you must take into account additional costs:
| Type of tax/fee |
Rate |
Notes |
| Property transfer tax |
1.5% (apartments), 3% (houses) |
Calculated from the value without debts |
| Municipal tax |
0,025–0,035% |
Included in utility bills |
| Income tax on sale |
30–34% |
Exemption for living for more than 2 years |
Associated expenses amount to approximately 4.05% of the property value. For example, when purchasing an apartment for 500,000 euros, additional costs will amount to approximately 20,250 euros.
The following is required for the transaction:
- A valid passport.
- Documents confirming financial solvency (bank statements).
- A notarized purchase and sale agreement.
- A permit from the Ministry of Defense (for land plots).
