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When you move to Åland, you can buy a house or plot in all areas designated for permanent residence. Most properties are beautifully situated close to nature, some with sea views and boat moorings. Another option is a housing cooperative where you own shares in the property.
Mariehamn is a typical villa town with a few areas containing multi-family housing. The multi-family buildings are built on a small scale as construction is limited to a maximum of 3 floors. Single-family homes also dominate in the rural areas.
You can buy a house in Åland for permanent residence even if you do not have Åland regional citizenship (hembygdsrätt) if you first apply for a land acquisition permit. The option applies to all areas intended for permanent settlement, several of which have waterfront locations.
If, on the other hand, you want to buy a property larger than 4,000 square meters, the requirement is in principle that you have regional citizenship. This also applies if the property includes shares in jointly owned water and land areas or hunting and fishing rights. Regional citizenship is a form of local citizenship. Once you have lived in Åland continuously for at least five years as an immigrant and are a Finnish citizen, you have the opportunity to apply for Åland regional citizenship.
In Åland, there are relatively many share-based housing options. This is a form of housing where you own your own home, for example an apartment in a multi-family building or a detached residence that is part of a housing company.
Shares in housing companies (share-based housing) can usually be owned even without a land acquisition permit or right of domicile. Nevertheless, make it a habit to check what applies specifically to the property you are interested in. Sometimes the housing company has its own conditions that mean you need to apply for a land acquisition permit.
If you want to build your own house, the options are the same as for those who want to buy. This means that you have the opportunity to build without domicile rights in a planned residential area, in a village center or similar. To purchase land without domicile rights, you must first apply for a land acquisition permit. When purchasing land for your own residence, the Government of Åland generally always grants a land acquisition permit, provided that you meet the conditions.
A tip for you who are looking for housing in Åland is to visit Fastigheter.ax, which presents the apartments, houses and plots that are currently for sale with real estate agents in Åland right now.
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 cannot be compared 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 make decisions about your apartment in the building. This can be an apartment building, townhouse, or in some cases 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 choosing. Unlike a Swedish cooperative apartment, there is no association that needs to approve you as a buyer, or your tenant if you purchase as an investment.
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 charge (monthly fee) that covers the company's shared operating costs and any loans.
Housing right (bostadsrätt) is a form of housing 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 deposit and a monthly charge, and this form of housing is open to everyone without special membership requirements. As a housing right holder, you pay a basic share that usually corresponds to 15% of the property's original construction cost, while the remaining portion is financed through loans taken out by the housing rights association. The monthly usage charge 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 set for membership. The goal is to offer secure and quality housing at a reasonable cost.
Read more at Ålands Bostadsrättsförening
The term property primarily refers to villas, small houses, and residential buildings with associated land. A property can also be a plot of land 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 Government of Åland, which in turn obtains approval from the municipality.
Contact the respective municipality for information about planned residential areas and 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.
Regional domicile rights is the concept we use when discussing Åland's "citizenship". The Åland regional domicile rights protect, among other things, the Swedish language and ensure that businesses are mainly 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 restored.
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 a dispensation (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 the regional domicile rights at the Åland Regional Government
If you lack the right of domicile in Åland, 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 residence, permits are generally granted without restriction.
Please note that the purchase of 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 of Åland requests an opinion from the municipality, but this is not binding. The final decision is always made by the Regional Government of Åland.
The processing time is normally two to three months.
Thanks to the land acquisition permit, most people do not need the right of domicile to purchase a home in Åland.
Read more about the permit and land acquisition in Åland at the Åland Regional Government.
In Sweden, there is no transfer tax. In Finland, the law on transfer tax changed on January 1, 2024. Now a one-time fee of 1.5 percent applies to apartments and 3 percent for properties.
Read more about transfer tax at Skatt.fi
At Fastigheter.ax you will find the majority of the houses and apartments currently listed for sale by real estate agents in Åland.
On the beautiful Öra islet, south of Marsund bridge, in Hammarland municipality, there is a residential area planned and completed with approximately 30 plots for sale. Here you will find waterfront and attractive plots for both single-family homes and townhouses. With the sea as a close neighbor, Öra Strand offers a living experience with great opportunities for recreation and activities. Regardless of weather and wind, there is access to a sheltered archipelago in a fantastic environment, and the boat is naturally within walking distance at your own boat berth. There is now also a cycle path all the way into both Mariehamn and Eckerö!
In central Hammarland, amid the scenic cultural landscape, lies the residential area of Storängen, with close proximity to daycare, school, shops, and the municipal office. Here, Hammarland municipality has approximately 30 modern, attractive plots in a safe area available for sale. The municipality offers excellent daycare and schools, as well as active associations in sports, youth activities, and the fire brigade. Just 15 minutes by car to Mariehamn and close to public transport.
Do you dream of living in the archipelago? Now you can make the dream of your own plot a reality at the planned residential area Vårholm in Kumlinge, where roads and municipal infrastructure are already in place. Right now, a plot costs just one euro, regardless of size!
Wake up with a sea view and enjoy nature right outside your door. Services such as a school, healthcare and a shop are within walking distance, and with ferries and fiber you are always connected.
Contact the municipal office for a viewing, or stop by and read more on site.
Ekholm is a newly produced, detailed planned residential area where the municipality is now offering plots for sale. The residential area is beautifully situated by Kyrksundet in Prästgården village, just over 3 kilometers from the municipality's central town Degerby, which has a daycare center, school, shop, library and municipal office. The area has 18 attractive plots close to the shore for detached houses or semi-detached houses.
1. Start by searching for real estate agents on the Åland internet. You can request references from banks or law firms if you feel uncertain about your agent.
2. Familiarize yourself with the properties on the agents' own websites. Find out what the normal price range is for housing in the area you are interested in and form an opinion about what you get for the money you invest in your home.
3. Travel to Åland, meet your agent, get to know the community and drive around to discover the offerings and areas. Let the agent show you different properties based on the information they have received from you as a client.
4. Have your finances in order at an early stage, do not wait to get in touch with a local bank in Åland. This is because your property in Sweden may not necessarily be usable as collateral in Finland. As a buyer from Sweden, it may therefore be worth selling your property in Sweden before purchasing in Åland. Have a mortgage pre-approval in place.
At the same time, book an appointment with the bank's family lawyer to review any differences in taxation, inheritance, or separation.
5. When you have found your property and feel ready to make a move, go through the details of offers and bidding as well as contracts and administration with your agent.
Keep in mind that you are moving to another country if you are relocating from Sweden to Åland, be aware that there are differences between the countries. Aside from right of domicile and land acquisition regulations, Åland follows the same rules as the rest of Finland, but compared to Sweden there are many differences. Inheritance tax and gift tax differ, for example, as do rules regarding loans and amortization. Property tax varies between municipalities, with some municipalities not levying property tax on a permanent residence but only on secondary homes.
6. Welcome to Åland!
If you have more questions about life in Åland, you are welcome to contact us! We provide personal guidance, help you with your moving plans, and are happy to give tips about jobs, housing, schools, and leisure activities.
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