Telegraph: Mass evictions in Athens due to Airbnb and "golden" visas

The article highlights that tenants are forced to leave their homes "to pave the way for housing integration in AirBnB. [...Houses in Athens] as well in an echo of the AirBnB ‘epidemic’ in cities such as Barcelona, homes are increasingly being bought and converted into AirBnB properties, primarily by Chinese investors, under the Golden Visa scheme being actively promoted by the Greek government," the author notes.

The sensation is triggered by Telegraph's reporting from areas in Athens where AirBnB has "captured" 81% to 95% of total rents, adding that in the last two years, the homes on the platform have risen from 9,000 to 129,000.

"The" golden "visas over the last five years have revitalized Real Estate in Greece, and the government is considering expanding the program. Visas in Greece are the cheapest in Europe - a corresponding visa in Britain costs £ 2 million - and allow non-EU citizens to live and work professionally in Greece, to travel to any country of Europe and apply for EU citizenship, "Telegraph said.

Beyond the Chinese, the newspaper argues, the Greek "golden" visas are being sought by Russians and Turks, lured by the low cost of their acquisition.