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Sweden Reviews Expropriation Laws Amid Fears Over Russian Property Near Military Bases
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Sweden is preparing to examine new legal powers that could allow the state to seize privately owned properties deemed a national security risk, amid growing concerns over Russian-owned real estate near military installations, according to an official government statement published on June 9.
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According to the Swedish government, an inquiry has been launched to review the country’s Expropriation Act and determine whether authorities should be granted broader powers to take control of properties that could be used for sabotage, intelligence gathering, or other activities deemed harmful to Sweden’s security.
The inquiry will be led by Court of Appeal Judge Henrik Matz and is expected to present its recommendations by March 31, 2027. According to the government statement, the review will assess existing legal mechanisms and propose a new basis for expropriation in cases where property ownership may pose security risks.
Sweden’s Defense Minister Pål Jonson said the proposed changes would provide authorities with “a new tool to prevent anyone from using a property, for example, to plan sabotage or to conduct espionage against Sweden.”
According to the government, current legislation provides limited options for intervening when ownership of real estate raises national security concerns. Officials said the inquiry will also examine compensation rules and ensure that any proposals remain compatible with protections for property rights under Swedish constitutional law, the European Convention on Human Rights, and EU legislation.
The initiative comes amid growing concerns in Sweden about foreign ownership of property near military installations and critical infrastructure.
According to reporting by Polish broadcaster TVP World on June 8, Swedish officials have previously warned that properties located near defense facilities could potentially be used for intelligence-gathering or other activities threatening national security.
According to TVP World, public attention intensified after reports that Russian-born businessman Stanislav Aleshchenko acquired a waterfront property on Muskö Island in 2017. The island hosts a strategically important underground naval base that returned to active military use in 2019 after years of inactivity.
Swedish media have also reported concerns surrounding property acquisitions linked to the Russian Orthodox Church near Västerås Airport, while Sweden’s Security Service (SÄPO) has warned about espionage risks in the area.
Former Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist previously estimated that Russian citizens own 247 properties across northern Sweden and the Stockholm region, some located near military facilities or strategically important companies, according to TVP World.
Earlier, Swedish authorities and church officials raised concerns over a network of so-called “Z-nuns” linked to the Belarus-based St. Elisabeth Convent, which operated in more than 20 churches across Sweden. The group was accused of promoting pro-Kremlin narratives, raising funds allegedly destined for Russian military units, and maintaining links to Russian intelligence structures.
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