Finland · Housing
Renting and buying property in Finland — typical rents, deposits, contracts, and official tenancy rules.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Finland places no general restriction on foreigners buying homes (buyers from outside the EU/EEA may need permission for certain real estate near strategic areas under a 2020 rule, but ordinary housing is fine). Renting is governed by the Tenancy Act, with a deposit typically up to three months. Purchases are registered with the National Land Survey and carry a transfer tax (for houses/plots; new shares in housing companies differ).
Housing in Finland is arranged through private, student, municipal and right-of-occupancy rentals. New residents should verify the lease, deposit, condition report, home-insurance expectations and municipality-of-residence registration before moving in.
- A written lease and move-in condition evidence reduce deposit disputes.
- A municipality of residence affects healthcare, schooling and local public services.
- Student housing is often separate from the private market and should be checked early.
- 1
Decide rent vs buy and set a budget
Decide rent vs buy; non-EU/EEA buyers check whether the 2020 permission rule applies to the location.
- 2
Search listings or engage an agent
Search portals or use an agent; note many Finnish homes are shares in a housing company (asunto-osakeyhtiö).
- 3
Check the lease or purchase terms
Review the tenancy contract, or for a purchase the housing-company documents and any charges/debts.
- 4
Provide documents, deposit or financing
Provide ID and income and the deposit (usually up to 3 months); buyers arrange financing.
- 5
Sign, register and pay taxes/fees
Sign the lease, or complete the purchase; register title (for houses/plots) with the National Land Survey and pay transfer tax.
- 6
Set up utilities and know your rights
Set up utilities; the Tenancy Act governs deposit, notice and rent-increase rules.
- Rent vs buy decided + budget set
- Foreign-buyer / eligibility rules checked
- Listing search / licensed agent
- Lease or purchase contract reviewed
- Documents + deposit / financing
- Registration + taxes/fees paid
- Utilities set up
- Tenant / owner rights understood
- InfoFinland — housing
Official multilingual public guide to housing in Finland.
- DVV — municipality of residence
Official population-registration guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners buy property in Finland?
Yes for ordinary homes; buyers from outside the EU/EEA may need permission for certain real estate near strategic areas under a 2020 rule.
What is a housing company (asunto-osakeyhtiö)?
A common Finnish model where you buy shares that give the right to occupy a specific apartment, rather than the flat directly.
How much is the rental deposit?
Usually up to three months’ rent, agreed in the tenancy contract under the Tenancy Act.
Typical rents by city
| Cities | 1-bedroom rent |
|---|---|
| Helsinki | €900–1,400/mo (centre); €750–1,100/mo (outer) |
| Espoo | €850–1,300/mo (centre); €700–1,050/mo (outer) |
| Tampere | €650–1,000/mo (centre); €550–800/mo (outer) |
| Vantaa | €700–1,100/mo (centre); €580–880/mo (outer) |
| Turku | €600–950/mo (centre); €500–750/mo (outer) |
| Oulu | €550–850/mo (centre); €450–700/mo (outer) |
Government portals
- Suomi.fi — Finnish Public Services — Single portal for state services, official messages and authorisations.
- Vero — Finnish Tax Administration — Tax card, tax number for construction work, and the pre-completed return.
- Migri — Finnish Immigration Service — Residence permits for work and study, the specialist route, and citizenship.
- PRH — Patent and Registration Office — Business registration, trade names, trademarks and the company search.