Properties deemed to be a threat to Sweden’s security may in the future be taken over by the state. This is proposed by the Tidö government, which has now commissioned an inquiry to investigate the possibility of introducing legal support for the compulsory acquisition of land and buildings. Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M) refers to the Russian threat against Sweden.

The background is a deteriorating security situation in Europe and growing concern that foreign actors might use property purchases to establish a presence near protected objects. It is said to potentially involve intelligence activities, with properties becoming “Trojan horses.”

– There are countries like Russia engaged in war planning against Sweden, and we must be able to take more measures to protect Sweden’s security, says Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M).

READ ALSO: Government: Sweden Will Be Attacked First in a NATO–Russia War

Currently, there is no possibility to compulsorily acquire properties solely on grounds of national security. The ongoing inquiry will therefore analyze whether the legislation needs to be changed. The proposals are to be presented no later than March 15, 2027.

May Seize Swedes’ Homes

However, the government’s proposal is not limited only to foreign actors when addressing these security risks. Such a legislative change would not be restricted to foreign nationals.

Swedish property owners could also be affected if their properties are deemed a security risk, according to the state television report.

To make this possible, the government seeks exceptions from the strong protection of property rights by invoking the “serious security situation.”

The government argues that a balance must be struck between property rights and national security interests. This comes as Sweden has to date sent support worth at least SEK 153.5 billion to Ukraine and also promised to donate 16 JAS Gripen aircraft.

READ ALSO: Sweden Donates Jas Gripen to Ukraine

But that is not enough – now the government also plans to restrict citizens’ constitutionally protected property rights in order to counter the Russian threat.

– It is constitutionally protected, and we must also comply with the European Convention. The criteria also state that a reasonable balance must be found. But we must acknowledge that we are currently facing a very serious security situation, Pål Jonson told SVT.

Supported by the Social Democrats

The Social Democrats are also calling for stricter rules concerning security-sensitive properties. The party wants the state to be able to take back or compulsorily acquire land and buildings deemed strategically important.

Additionally, the party wants state land in sensitive areas, particularly in the archipelago, not to be sold without a security policy review. This issue was highlighted regarding state land on Öja, also known as Landsort, south of Stockholm.

– Now is a time when the state must control the land we own. There is no reason to sell to anyone because we do not know what may happen down the line, says Peter Hultqvist (S), spokesperson on defense policy, to SVT.

Only Two Threats to Sweden Named

Hultqvist also believes that Swedish authorities should be considerably more restrictive towards foreign interests than is currently the case, and says that the focus almost exclusively rests on Russian and Belarusian actors.

At the same time, neither the Moderates, Social Democrats, nor any other party in parliament has described the extensive migration from Africa and the Middle East, its demographic consequences, or for example, clan-based influence in authorities and politics, as a corresponding security threat to Sweden. There are only two threat scenarios, which top Social Democrat Hultqvist makes clear.

– Russian and Belarusian interests on Swedish soil must be stopped, Hultqvist asserts.

READ ALSO: Professor’s Dark Forecast: Swedes a Minority Within a Few Decades

Meanwhile, Finland and the Baltic states Latvia and Lithuania have already banned Russian and Belarusian citizens from buying real estate.

Estonia is expected to introduce a similar ban at the turn of the year. Sweden, however, wants to go even further and is opening up to also compulsorily acquire Swedes’ properties due to security risks related to the Russian threat.

READ ALSO: Russians’ Properties in Finland Seized – and New Purchases Banned