I own a summer cottage. Can I still buy my first home exempt from transfer tax?

You may still be entitled to the first-time homebuyer’s transfer tax exemption even if you own a summer cottage. Owning a leisure property or a holiday time share or having a right-of-occupancy dwelling does not prevent you from buying a first-time home exempt from transfer tax, as long as the deed of sale for the first-time home is signed before 1 January 2024.

However, if you have previously owned 50% or more of a piece of residential property in Finland or abroad, you are not entitled to the tax exemption. This applies to residential property bought for investment purposes.