State's right of pre-emption
The State has the pre-emptive right in real estate transactions in the immediate vicinity of strategic sites. If the State exercises its right, it becomes the acquirer of the real estate instead of the purchaser on terms agreed in the deed.
Since the State's right of pre-emption is only valid in strictly limited areas, it affects a very small proportion of real estate transactions in Finland. If the real estate being traded is located in an area where the State has the right of pre-emption, registration of title to real estate will be issued only after the four-month period set for the exercise of the pre-emptive right to buy the real estate has expired or the State has declared that it will not exercise its right. In other respects, the State's right of pre-emption has the same legal effects and procedures as the municipality's right of pre-emption.
The question concerning possible location of the property within described pre-emption area should be addressed to National Land Survey of Finland. This can be done only by the owner of the real estate.
Scope of the State's right of pre-emption
The State has the right to buy real estate located or part of which is located:
- In areas designated in the regional plan, local master plan or local detailed plan for the needs of the Defence Forces or the Border Guard or at a distance not exceeding 1,000 metres from them;
- At a distance of not more than 1,000 metres from communications stations, radar stations, aerodromes or ports, or from lesser sites than these serving the water traffic or aviation of the Defence Forces or the Border Guard under normal conditions, during incidents or emergencies;
- At a distance not exceeding 1,000 metres from real estates, used by the Defence Forces or the Border Guard, that are not the same as those referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, where the activities carried out require a protected area.
The State's right of pre-emption is not valid in the Province of Åland.
Prior information on state's intentions to exercise the pre-emptive right
The real estate owner may, if they so wish, request prior information from the Ministry of Defence on whether the State intends to exercise the pre-emptive right. A fee of 100€ shall be charged for requesting this information. Before requesting the information, it is recommended to contact the Ministry of Defence. Contact information can be found on the right side of this page.