Latvia Enacts Ban on Real Estate Purchases by Citizens from Russia and Belarus
Here's the lowdown on Latvia's latest move, following in the footsteps of other Nordic and Baltic nations:
On June 19, Latvia's parliament passed a bill, barring citizens from Russia and Belarus from purchasing real estate within the country, as reported by local media.
The bill, which also applies to entities with at least 25% ownership by Russians or Belarussians, includes exceptions for EU and Latvian permanent residents, Belarusian refugees, and repatriates. This new law, aimed at safeguarding Latvia's national security, sets forth these restrictions.
Agreeing with the move, Agnese Krasta, an Estonian member of parliament and one of the bill's authors, stated, "This is a step to confine the influence and presence in Latvia of persons and companies hostile to our nation."
Situated between Russia and Estonia, Latvia is often seen as a likely target for a potential Russian attack on NATO or the European Union. In response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Latvia has beefed up its civil preparedness measures and drafted plans to relocate up to 25% of its population in case of war.
Amid concerns about Russian sabotage operations, including arson attacks believed to have Moscow's backing, intelligence and security agencies have issued warnings in the EU. Latvia's property ban aligns with Finland's similar restrictions, as both nations seek to block Russian nationals from buying properties.
Looks like Latvia isn't alone in its endeavor. Baltic and Nordic countries have been stepping up restrictions on Russian nationals due to regional tensions and concerns about national security and hybrid warfare tactics.
Lithuania introduced a similar ban as early as 2023, temporarily restricting Russians from purchasing real estate. Finland, in April 2025, passed a law allowing property transactions only for Russian citizens holding permanent residence permits, with restrictions imposed on citizens from "high-risk" countries, as a security measure.
These developments signal a growing trend among Baltic and Nordic countries to curtail Russian nationals' real estate transactions in response to escalating geopolitical tensions. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story!
Sources:1. "Latvia blocks Russian citizens from buying houses" - Reuters.2. "International sanctions on Russia" - Wikipedia.3. "Russian sabotage in Baltic states" - Wikipedia.4. "Latvia imposes entry restrictions on Russian citizens" - BBC News.5. "Finland restricts real estate purchases by Russian citizens" - Reuters.
- Latvia's new law restricting real estate purchases by Russian and Belarussian citizens is part of a growing trend among Baltic and Nordic countries aiming to safeguard national security.
- In light of regional tensions and concerns about hybrid warfare tactics, many countries in the region, including Finland, have imposed restrictions on Russian nationals' real estate transactions.
