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Right now, many people are curious about Åland. This is evident, among other things, through an increased number of inquiries for apartments and houses in the Facebook group "Bostäder på Åland" (Housing in Åland). Åland Living therefore took the opportunity to meet with the real estate agents in Åland to learn more about the state of the property market.
Åland's real estate agents Lyyski Fastigheter, Aktia Fastighetsförmedling Åland, Fastighetskonsult and Mäklarhuset all agree on the increased interest and simultaneously point out that it is possible to buy a house in Åland even as a newcomer without regional residency rights.
- The supply of properties is also very good right now, currently there are nearly 400 properties for sale on the market!
You therefore do not need regional residency rights to buy a house, terraced house, apartment or plot in Åland. - The important thing is that your house purchase is for permanent residence in an area designated for permanent settlement.
To be able to buy a property in Åland, you do need a land acquisition permit, which is granted by the Åland Regional Government. Here, the agents see room for improvement and call for a faster application process.
- Long waiting times can lead to buyers not daring to take the step. Sometimes the processing times are as long as 3-4 months, which is far too long.
The conditions for purchase can also be perceived as complicated and unclear. The agents are happy to answer questions and can, if needed, assist in contacts with the authorities.
Buyers who plan to complete the purchase before moving to Åland may also encounter problems if they have not yet had time to obtain a Finnish personal identity number, which is needed for dealings with Finnish and Åland banks.
An alternative to buying is to rent your first home in Åland. Both Lyyski Fastigheter and Mäklarhuset regularly handle rental properties. Primarily apartments, as the rental level for residential houses is often high. For families with children, there are apartments with four rooms and 100-120 square meters.
Many property buyers are from Sweden, but there is also interest in settling in Åland from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Several of the Ukrainians who have fled their home country are also choosing to acquire their own home and plan to stay. Among those moving in, there are primarily families with children, but also retirees moving closer to their grandchildren.
Potential buyers are attracted by the peace and tranquility, nature, and the sense of safety and trust in the community. The vibrant association and cultural life also stands out – there is something for everyone. The education system, with small classes, good teachers and excellent international school results, is also appreciated. For the active family with children, access to affordable leisure activities without queues is an additional advantage. Furthermore, children can cycle on their own to school and to visit friends.
Popular areas among newcomers are Mariehamn and residential areas near Mariehamn, such as Solberget and Möckelö strand, which are close to both schools and daycare centers. Central living also makes it easier for newcomers to integrate into the community.
- Many buyers are pleasantly surprised when they discover what the Åland proximity, or 10 minutes to everything, means in practice.
Today's buyers are otherwise well-prepared buyers, who have researched the area and have even been in contact with the schools before the purchase.- Then there are always some who are not in the know and, for example, think that you need to join a queue for the schools, which is not the case. You simply register your child with the municipality you are moving to.
Interest in Åland is, in other words, great. This is also reflected in the increasing number of questions about settlement and relocation advice that we receive at Åland Living. Get in touch for personal guidance and help with your moving plans – we provide tips on jobs, housing, schools and leisure activities.
Welcome to Åland – get in touch with your questions!
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.
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.
1. Start by searching for real estate agents on the Åland internet. You can request references from banks or law offices 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 listings 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 contact a local bank in Åland. This is because your home in Sweden may not necessarily be usable as collateral in Finland. As a buyer from Sweden, it may therefore be worth selling your home in Sweden before purchasing in Åland. Have a pre-approved loan commitment in place.
At the same time, schedule an appointment with the bank's family lawyer to review any differences regarding 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. Setting aside domicile rights and land acquisition, 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!
At Fastigheter.ax you will find the majority of the houses and apartments currently listed for sale by real estate agents in Åland.
If you are looking for housing, it is worth reading the ads in:
On these pages you have the opportunity to advertise for free yourself, or submit an application for rental housing.
For housing outside Mariehamn, you can also contact the respective municipality directly.
Read more about Åland's 16 municipalities
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.
Fill in the form – then we'll contact you!
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