Kangasala tops list as holiday-cottage bills jump over 30% in seven years

Kangasala's annual holiday-cottage bills now reach about €1,300, driven by the country's highest second‑home property tax of €679, Tamperelainen reports.

A survey by Omakotiliitto covering 25 major cottage municipalities found fees have risen more than 30% on average over seven years in the most popular areas. Savonlinna remains the most expensive overall at €1,427 in combined municipal and regional charges for a holiday home; Mikkeli, Kangasala, Kuopio and Puumala follow.

Nationwide the average cottage owner pays about €995 a year. Kangasala's split is striking: a low waste fee of €21 but the highest property tax at €679. Mustasaari recorded the highest waste fee, €80, while Kittilä has the lowest property tax, €210.

Oulu was the most affordable in the comparison at €649 a year, leaving a stark gap. Omakotiliitto's analysis breaks down the long-term increases: on average property tax has risen by €68, electricity costs by €153 and waste fees by €14 over seven years. Marju Silander of Omakotiliitto said rising charges "inevitably hit the wallet and reduce the ability to carry out renovations," noting households need funds for energy-efficiency and accessibility upgrades and that renovation work would create jobs in cottage municipalities.