The Ministry claims that the acquisition of real estate by Russian and Belarusian citizens poses a threat to national security.
Despite the fact that certain restrictions on the purchase of real estate in the border areas of Estonia and Russia, as well as on small islands, are already in effect, the Ministry says that they are insufficient and ineffective.
Citizens of Russia and Belarus residing in Estonia and having a long-term residence permit will retain the right to buy, sell, inherit or donate real estate. The Ministry says that the state knows who these people are because their biographies are checked before issuing long-term residence permits.
As of January 9, 1,476 Belarusian citizens had temporary residence permits in Estonia, and 1,190 had long-term permits.
As of the same date, 7,797 Russian citizens had temporary residence permits, and 70,237 had long-term ones.Latvia, Lithuania and Finland have already introduced similar restrictions.
Source: Estonian World
