Estonia Wants to Ban Belarusians Without Permanent Residence Permits from Buying Real Estate
Estonian authorities are preparing legislative changes that would prohibit citizens of Russia and Belarus from acquiring real estate if they do not have a long-term residence permit. This initiative was put forward by Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets. The restrictions would also apply to companies whose beneficial owners are such individuals, writes Delfi.ee.
Estonian capital Tallinn. Photo: Getty Images / R.Tsubin
The minister explains this step as a necessity to strengthen national security. In his opinion, people with unclear biographies, who have recently or temporarily been in Estonia, could use real estate for hostile purposes — for intelligence, sabotage, or preparing actions in crisis situations against the backdrop of the aggressive policies of the Kremlin and its allies.
Lauri Läänemets noted that the entry and stay of such citizens in Estonia are already almost completely restricted, so it is logical to deprive them of the right to purchase real estate as well. He emphasized that this is about a real threat and that Estonia must move from partial restrictions to direct prohibitions, as a number of EU and NATO countries have already done. Similar problems, according to him, also concern the authorities of Finland, Norway, Sweden, Lithuania, Latvia, and other states.
Currently, Estonia already has certain restrictions on buying real estate in border zones and on small islands, but the minister considers these measures insufficient and ineffective.
At the same time, the new rules will not apply to citizens of Russia and Belarus who have a long-term residence permit. They will retain the right to buy, sell, inherit, or gift real estate. Läänemets explained that these people have already passed checks when obtaining their residence permits, so there is no reason for additional prohibitions in their case.
As of January 9, 1190 citizens of Belarus live in Estonia with a long-term residence permit, and 1476 with a temporary one. Among Russian citizens, 70,237 people have a long-term residence permit, and 7797 have a temporary one.
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Comments
A nasamreč vielmi pryvabnaja kraina. Pryhožaje ūzbiarežža, maliaūničyja vyspy, tradycyjnaje žyccio i zvyčai zachavanyja praz stahoddzi, kultura, pavaha, ciarpimasc, šmat u čym mudrasc i spahada.
Chto tam žyvie, bielarusy, toj pacvierdzic...
Ja lublu Estoniju, ja z zadavalnienniem naviedvaju hetuju krainu.
Ганьба!