More than half of housing transactions in Finland are now conducted electronically 

The digitalisation of real estate transactions has reached a significant milestone. In April 2025, for the first time, more than half of the housing transactions conducted by real estate agents for old housing shares were completed electronically.  

Digital transactions are here to stay, and their growth reflects the Finnish adaptation to a modern and efficient way of buying and selling homes. More and more houses are changing ownership completely digitally—from the comfort of a couch, during a vacation, or even from the workplace.  

Recent figures from Statistics Finland show the rise of digital transactions. In April, a total of 3,635 housing transactions were completed, of which 1,945—or 53.5%—were carried out through the DIAS (Digital Housing Trade) platform. The DIAS system connects banks, real estate agents, and the parties involved in the transaction, enabling fully electronic transactions without the need for a physical visit to a bank branch. 

– Thanks to the collaboration between the real estate industry, banks, and authorities, DIAS has created a unique digital housing trade experience. The electronic transaction method provides clear benefits to customers and the industry, says Niilo Ursin, DIAS’s Business Director. 

Digital transactions benefit all parties 

Digital housing trade offers clear advantages to sellers, buyers, and real estate agents alike. Various phases of the transaction—such as signing the sales contract and processing payments—are handled electronically. This reduces manual labor, eliminates the need for physical documents, and enhances the efficiency of banks and authorities.  

From a consumer perspective, digital housing transactions provide a simple, secure, and fast way to buy and sell homes. It is only natural that digitalization in real estate transactions will continue to evolve.  

Digital housing trade enables buying and selling a home entirely electronically without the traditional visit to a bank. In Finland, the DIAS service plays a central role in connecting banks, real estate agents, and transaction parties into one digital process. 

How digital housing transactions work in practice:

• Sales agreement – The seller agrees with a real estate agent on selling the home.
• Buyer selection – The buyer finds a suitable home and agrees on the price.
• Transaction preparation – The real estate agent submits the transaction to the DIAS system for banks to process.
• Electronic signature – Both the buyer and seller sign the contract digitally with secure authentication.
• Ownership registration – Banks handle the registration of ownership.
• Payment processing – Banks process payments and transfer tax automatically.

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