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In Åland, you always live close to the sea, close to work, close to school, close to friends. Distances are short and traffic jams are rare.
Whether you want to rent or own your home, the options are many. There is everything from houses with private gardens to semi-detached houses and modern apartments.
Åland's only city, Mariehamn, is beautifully situated on a peninsula surrounded by water both to the east and west. The city is a vibrant small town with many villas and smaller areas of multi-family housing. There are several new residential areas for those who dream of a seaside home in a small-town idyll.
Even in the countryside and among the islands of the archipelago, there are both rental properties and several newly planned residential areas.
In Åland there are small and large landlords who offer rental of apartments and detached houses in Mariehamn, in the countryside or in the archipelago.
Anyone can buy their own home in Åland, even if you don't have regional residency rights. We provide tips and advice to help you find your future home, from apartments to houses and townhouses.
Are you thinking about moving to Åland and wondering how the housing market works? You're not alone! Here we clarify the different types of housing available – from share apartments to properties and rental housing.
The basic rule is that you can purchase your own home in all areas designated for permanent residence when you move to Åland.
A share apartment in Åland and Finland is not comparable to a Swedish share apartment; it more closely resembles a Swedish cooperative apartment (bostadsrätt).
In Åland, a share apartment is an apartment that you purchase and own, often in a housing share company (BAB). You then own a certain number of shares in the company, which gives you the right to own and have control over your apartment in the building. This can be an apartment building, townhouse, or in some cases even a semi-detached house. The share apartment is your property, and you choose whether to live in it yourself or rent it out to a tenant of your choice. Unlike a Swedish cooperative apartment, there is no association that needs to approve you as a buyer, or your tenant if you purchase speculatively.
Purchasing a share apartment does not require a land acquisition permit. There is also no requirement for you to register your residence in Åland.
Each month you pay a consideration (monthly fee) that covers the company's shared operating costs and any loans.
Cooperative housing is a form of accommodation in Åland that represents a middle ground between rental housing and owner-occupied housing, combining the best of both worlds. The model is based on a combination of a one-time contribution and a monthly consideration, and the housing form is open to everyone without special membership requirements. As a cooperative housing holder, you pay a basic share that typically corresponds to 15% of the property's original construction cost, while the remaining portion is financed through loans taken out by the cooperative housing association. The monthly usage fee is calculated according to the cost-price principle, meaning the fee is set based on the association's actual expenses.
The association is open to everyone and no special requirements are imposed for membership. The goal is to offer safe and quality housing at a reasonable cost.
Read more at Åland's Cooperative Housing Association
Properties primarily refer to villas, single-family homes, and residential buildings with accompanying plots. A property can also be a plot without a dwelling. Newcomers without right of domicile can purchase a property as long as it:
However, you need to apply for a land acquisition permit from the Åland Regional Government, which in turn obtains approval from the municipality.
Contact the respective municipality for information about planned residential areas and building plots.
If you cannot find the right property to buy, you can always start by renting an apartment. When renting an apartment, there are no requirements for either right of domicile or a land acquisition permit.
Visit Fastigheter.ax for properties for sale in Åland.
If you lack Åland regional citizenship rights, you need to apply for a land acquisition permit to purchase land or a house in Åland. As a newcomer, you may be granted permission to purchase a plot of less than 4,000 m² in an area designated for permanent residence, provided that you have permanent employment or can otherwise demonstrate that you plan to stay. After five years of residency, permission is generally granted without restriction.
Please note that purchasing a housing cooperative apartment in most cases does not require a land acquisition permit, but always check whether the relevant housing company's permit contains any special requirements.
During the processing, the regional government requests an opinion from the municipality, but this is not binding. The final decision is always made by the regional government.
The processing time is normally two to three months.
Thanks to the land acquisition permit, most people do not need regional citizenship rights to purchase a home in Åland.
Read more about the permit and land acquisition in Åland at the Åland Regional Government.
Regional domicile rights is the concept we use when discussing Åland's "citizenship". The Åland regional domicile rights safeguard, among other things, the Swedish language and ensure that businesses are primarily conducted by those who live in Åland.
The regional domicile rights is a right that belongs to every Ålander, but which you lose if you are registered elsewhere for more than five years. If you move back to Åland, you can apply to have your regional domicile rights reinstated.
Yes, as a newcomer you can apply for Åland regional domicile rights. The conditions are that you:
The Åland regional domicile rights grant you the following rights:
The Regional Government can grant an exemption (land acquisition permit) so that you can own land for permanent residence even if you have not formally obtained regional domicile rights.
Shares in housing companies can be owned without a permit.
Read more about regional domicile rights at the Åland Regional Government
If you are looking for housing, it pays to read the listings in:
On these pages you have the opportunity to advertise for free yourself, or submit an application for rental housing.
Are you moving to Åland to study?
Read more about student housing in Åland
In our welcome guide, you will find tips, advice, and information for those moving to Åland from another Nordic country.
If you have more questions about life in Åland, you are welcome to get in touch with us! We provide personal guidance, help you with your moving plans, and are happy to offer tips on jobs, housing, schools, and leisure activities.
Fill in the form – and then we'll contact you!
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