NATO Nations Move to Restrict Real Estate Near Bases
New security laws may limit real estate purchases and ownership for foreign nationals near strategic military infrastructure.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Residential
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NATO member states are identifying and restricting Russian-owned residential properties located near strategic military bases and infrastructure. These actions follow widespread concerns that such land holdings could be leveraged for sabotage or hybrid warfare.
Why it matters
Governments across the alliance are moving to mitigate potential national security risks linked to foreign-owned real estate near sensitive sites. For property owners and investors, this trend may lead to increased regulatory oversight or restrictions on land transactions in border regions and near critical infrastructure.
Officials have identified hundreds of homes owned by Russian nationals located near strategic military bases and training grounds across multiple NATO member states. The exact volume of properties subject to new seizure requests or restrictive legislation remains under review by national authorities.
The players
Stanislav Shelenko
An individual who purchased land in 2017 near the Swedish Muskö naval base.
Vladimir Putin
The Russian head of state whose government is linked to the ownership of villas near the Norwegian Bardufoss Air Base.
The details
NATO nations are increasingly enforcing laws that prioritize national security over private real estate transactions. In Sweden, authorities now require security reviews for critical asset sales, while Lithuania has introduced legislation to block future purchases by Russian and Belarusian nationals near strategic sites. These policies aim to curb potential threats from drone operations or sabotage by restricting physical access to sensitive military perimeters.
Timeline
2017: Stanislav Shelenko purchased land near the Muskö naval base.
2022: Russia invaded Ukraine.
2024: Sweden officially acceded to the NATO alliance.
July 2026: Sweden enforced a new law requiring security reviews for critical asset transactions.
September 2026: Lithuania submitted a bill to parliament to restrict real estate purchases.
Money Landscape
This move marks a shift from conventional real estate market conditions to a security-first regulatory environment. It updates the post-2022 defensive landscape across Europe, where sovereign access to infrastructure has become a central factor in local property market policy.
Property buyers and investors looking at sites near military installations or strategic infrastructure should anticipate more rigorous security vetting and potential transaction delays. Consult with a qualified legal professional to understand how new or pending local restrictions on foreign land ownership could affect specific investments.
The takeaway
National security concerns are driving a new wave of property restrictions that could impact foreign real estate ownership near sensitive sites. Investors should monitor parliamentary updates in their local jurisdiction and review potential purchase contracts with a qualified tax or legal professional.
Further reading
For more on evolving homeownership regulations, see our Residential section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 조선일보.
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Should nations restrict foreign citizens from purchasing real estate located near critical military infrastructure?
