NATO Nations Restrict Property Near Military Bases
New laws and reviews are affecting hundreds of properties held by foreign nationals near sensitive strategic sites.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Residential
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NATO member states are identifying and restricting residential property ownership near strategic military installations due to security concerns. Countries including Sweden, Norway, and Lithuania are taking steps to mitigate potential risks from foreign-owned real estate in sensitive areas.
Why it matters
The shift aims to protect critical military infrastructure from potential hybrid warfare threats like drone attacks or sabotage. These measures are changing local property regulations and ownership oversight for homeowners and buyers in proximity to strategic national security sites.
Officials have identified hundreds of homes owned by Russian nationals near sensitive sites, with Sweden, Lithuania, and Norway leading the audits. While laws vary, new mandates in Sweden require security reviews for critical asset transactions, while Lithuania is moving to block such purchases.
The players
NATO
An international military alliance that coordinates defense policies and intelligence sharing among member states.
Stanislav Shelenko
A private land owner who purchased property near the Swedish Muskö naval base in 2017.
Vladimir Putin
The President of Russia whose administration is linked to individuals identified as owning strategic villas in Norway.
The details
The security review process typically involves cross-referencing land registry data with national security intelligence to pinpoint properties overlooking air bases or naval infrastructure. Once identified, governments may seek to void transactions or legally challenge ownership rights if the property is deemed a strategic risk. In Sweden, authorities are specifically targeting sites like the Muskö naval base for potential government seizure to prevent exploitation for surveillance or sabotage.
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 implemented mandatory security reviews for critical asset transactions.
September 2026: Lithuania submitted a bill to ban specific foreign real estate purchases near military sites.
The Home Front
This trend represents a tightening of real estate regulations globally as nations prioritize national security over traditional private property rights. It marks a clear departure from previous decades where proximity to military installations faced minimal oversight for foreign buyers.
Homeowners residing near military bases or strategic national infrastructure should track local government legislative updates regarding property ownership audits. If you are involved in a real estate transaction near these areas, consult with a licensed local real estate attorney to verify if your site falls under new security review zones.
The takeaway
The intersection of national security and private real estate is becoming increasingly scrutinized, leading to new legal barriers for certain foreign buyers. Property owners in sensitive areas should maintain clear documentation of their purchase and residency history to satisfy potential security audits.
Further reading
Learn more about shifting Residential policies and their impact on international property ownership.
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?
