About 4,500 citizens of Russia may lose access to their real estate in Estonia due to new visa restrictions and preparatory real estate laws, writes ERR.
The Estonian government previously introduced the ban on the entrance for Russians, in whom Schengen visas were issued by Estonia. Now the government is working on a law that will allow you to pick up assets of Russian citizens who will not be able to pay utility bills due to sanctions.
“Indeed, if a person cannot find ways to maintain his real estate, then he may lose it,” confirmed the deputy head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Estonia Weko Commonar.
The authorities are also working on a bill that can change the legal status of Russians who own real estate. For some, this will mean a loss of real estate if the Russian owns property where the “objects of critical infrastructure” of the country or in border areas are located.
“The fact that Russians own real estate in such places is a direct threat of our safety,” said Commeda.
Now in Estonia 41,351 objects are owned by Russian citizens. Of these, 12%need visas for entering the country, most have an Estonian residence permit.