No worries, having property in Estonia is not a problem! Find out how you can end up without an apartment due to utility debts.

Thousands of Russians who own property in Estonia find themselves in a difficult situation, unable to access their own property. They cannot pay for utilities or carry out repairs. They are coming together and appealing to the authorities to lift the restrictions, but there is no promising news yet. In response, they are being informed that they will be forced to sell their apartments to pay off their debts.

In September of this year, a ban on entry into Estonia for Russians with Schengen visas came into effect. Tourist trips have become impossible, except in some cases such as residence permit holders, international transport workers, and visitors coming to see relatives.

Russian citizens with property in Estonia did not make it onto the list of exceptions and have been deprived of the right to enter the country. It is now impossible to obtain a visa based on property ownership. They are forced to manage their property from a distance.

Many Russians were surprised by the restrictions. They had been visiting Estonia for many years and suddenly found themselves facing a closed border. Some left valuable items and documents in their apartments, others had started renovations, and some had not prepared their homes for winter.

Several Russians, including Valentina from St. Petersburg, have turned to journalists to help them change the situation. Each of them has their own circumstances, but they all agree that the sanctions are clearly unfair.

Valentina and her husband bought an apartment in the city of Sillamae near the Russian border and a few hours' drive from Tallinn. They started renovations after completing the transaction, but stopped due to the entry ban into Estonia. They do not know what to do next, as they do not have accounts in European banks and cannot transfer money.

Valentina does not want to sell her apartment, as a lot of money and effort has already been invested. She hopes that the sanctions will be lifted after the end of the war and the fall of the Putin regime.

She and her husband are actively trying to convey their position to the Estonian authorities. They have created a chat group on a messaging app where they discuss their problems and organize meetings. Together with other property owners, they have submitted appeals to the President of Estonia and the government, but have received a small response.

They hope that they will be heard and that the sanctions will no longer affect ordinary people. They assert that they cannot influence Russian politics and that the sanctions do not solve anything.