Estonia has approved a ban on the purchase of real estate by certain citizens of Russia and Belarus — ERR
On Thursday, July 2, the Estonian government officially approved a bill that imposes strict restrictions on the purchase of real estate by citizens of Russia and Belarus.
The new rules are aimed at minimizing threats to national security, particularly risks associated with intelligence activities or the planning of sabotage on the country’s territory.
According to the document, citizens of these countries who do not have long-term resident status or the right to permanent residence in Estonia will be prohibited from purchasing any real estate.
Similar restrictions will apply to companies controlled by such individuals, regardless of the country of their official registration.
If Parliament succeeds in passing the initiative, it will officially take effect on January 1, 2027.
The path to this decision was a long one: more than five months passed between the initial proposal by Interior Minister Igor Taro, presented in January, and the government’s approval.
While working on the document, experts carefully analyzed the compliance of the future regulations with the country’s Constitution to ensure the legal validity of the ban.
A previous, similar attempt to restrict property rights in 2024 failed to gain government support; however, the current version takes into account all necessary legal nuances.
The bill grants the executive branch the authority to designate countries whose citizens may pose a potential security threat. Initially, this list will include Russia and Belarus.
An important detail is the mechanism for monitoring beneficiaries—the authorities aim to prevent circumvention of the ban through the creation of shell companies.
“It is important to consider not only the place of registration of a company, but also who actually controls it and in whose interests the real estate is being purchased,” emphasized Interior Minister Ihor Taro.
The updated rules will apply to land plots, apartments, development rights, and shares in real estate throughout the country.
However, the law will not be retroactive, so properties already owned will remain in the possession of their current owners.
Lawmakers have also provided for the possibility of obtaining special government permission in exceptional cases, provided the transaction does not pose a risk to the state.
This was reported by ERR.
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