In Milan, furnished monthly rentals range from rooms in shared flats to multi-bedroom apartments, each with different median rents, availability and what is included. This guide covers prices for one-bedroom flats, flats with two or more bedrooms, studios, and rooms in shared flats, the deposit and lease rules under Legge 431/1998 and Legge 392/1978, and the registration steps renters must take under Legge 1228/1954 and D.P.R. 605/1973.

Furnished Rental Types and Prices in Milan

The cost of a mid-term rental in Milan varies significantly depending on the type of accommodation and whether utilities are included in the monthly price. According to the Flexsirent observatory (October 2026), the following figures represent the advertised monthly prices:

  • One-bedroom flat: Median advertised monthly rent of 1,500 €, with half of the listings falling between 1,150 € and 2,097 €. There are 129 listings, and 67% include bills.
  • Flat with two bedrooms or more: Median advertised monthly rent of 2,688 €, with half of the listings between 2,200 € and 3,974 €. There are 43 listings, and 69% include bills.
  • Studio: Median advertised monthly rent of 1,192 €, with half of the listings between 958 € and 1,345 €. There are 74 listings, and 58% include bills.
  • Room in a shared flat: Median advertised monthly rent of 600 €, with half of the listings between 520 € and 690 €. There are 362 listings, and 83% include bills.

Rental Lease Terms and Duration

A mid-term rental of some months is defined as a transitional lease (contratto di locazione di natura transitoria). Under Italian law, this type of lease lasts up to 18 months and must explicitly state the specific need of either the landlord or the tenant that justifies the arrangement, such as study, work mobility, an apprenticeship, or a job search (Legge 431/1998, articolo 5; D.M. 16 gennaio 2017, articoli 2 e 3; D.Lgs. 123/2025, Allegato, articolo 17).

University-student contracts operate under different terms, lasting from 6 months to 3 years and remaining renewable at the first expiry (Legge 431/1998, articolo 5; D.M. 16 gennaio 2017, articoli 2 e 3; D.Lgs. 123/2025, Allegato, articolo 17). Regarding registration, any residential lease totaling more than 30 days per year between the same parties must be registered with the Agenzia delle Entrate within 30 days of the signing date or the start date, whichever occurs first (Legge 431/1998, articolo 5; D.M. 16 gennaio 2017, articoli 2 e 3; D.Lgs. 123/2025, Allegato, articolo 17).

Deposit, Utilities and Payment Rules

The security deposit (deposito cauzionale) is legally capped at a maximum of 3 months' rent. This deposit bears legal interest, which the landlord must pay to the tenant at the end of each year (Legge 392/1978, articolo 11).

Regarding payments, cash transactions between different parties, including rent, are forbidden for amounts of 5,000 € and above. This threshold applies since 1 January 2023 and includes payments split into smaller instalments that appear artificially fragmented (D.Lgs. 231/2007, articolo 49 commi 1 e 3-bis (Legge 197/2022)).

Budgeting for a mid-term rental requires checking if utilities are included. Data from the Flexsirent observatory (October 2026) shows that while 83% of rooms in shared flats include bills, only 58% of studios do, with one-bedroom flats at 67% and larger flats at 69%.

Registration and Documentation for Renters

Renters must handle several administrative steps to be legal residents. Everyone is required to request registration (iscrizione anagrafica) in the population register of the Comune where they habitually live. If moving from abroad or another comune, this declaration must be made to the Comune within 20 days of the move (Legge 1228/1954, articolo 2; D.P.R. 223/1989, articolo 13; D.Lgs. 30/2007, articolo 9; D.Lgs. 286/1998, articolo 7). EU citizens staying more than 3 months must request this registration once that period has passed to receive an immediate attestation (Legge 1228/1954, articolo 2; D.P.R. 223/1989, articolo 13; D.Lgs. 30/2007, articolo 9; D.Lgs. 286/1998, articolo 7).

Additionally, a tax code (codice fiscale) is required for registering contracts and deeds (Agenzia delle Entrate, «Codice fiscale – che cos'è» (D.P.R. 605/1973)). Non-EU citizens may receive this automatically through the Questura or the Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione. Others, including EU citizens, can apply using form AA4/8 at an Agenzia delle Entrate office, via certified e-mail with a valid identity document, or through an Italian consulate if residing abroad (Agenzia delle Entrate, «Codice fiscale – che cos'è» (D.P.R. 605/1973)).

Special Rules for Non-EU Visitors and Digital Nomads

Non-EU citizens staying for more than 90 days must obtain a national long-stay visa (type D) based on their reason for stay, such as employment, study, research, or elective residence. Within 8 working days of entering the country, they must apply to the Questura for a residence permit, known as the permesso di soggiorno (D.Lgs. 286/1998, articoli 4, 5 comma 2, 27 comma 1 lettera q-bis e comma 1-sexies; D.L. 4/2022, articolo 6-quinquies; D.M. Interno 29 febbraio 2024, articoli 1-3).

Digital nomads and highly qualified remote workers from outside the EU do not require a work authorisation (nulla osta). Using an entry visa, they can obtain a residence permit for up to 1 year, provided they have health insurance, proof of accommodation, and a minimum annual income of at least three times the health-ticket exemption threshold. They must also comply with Italian contribution and tax rules (D.Lgs. 286/1998, articoli 4, 5 comma 2, 27 comma 1 lettera q-bis e comma 1-sexies; D.L. 4/2022, articolo 6-quinquies; D.M. Interno 29 febbraio 2024, articoli 1-3).

Frequently asked questions

The deposit cannot exceed 3 months' rent, and the legal interest must be paid to the tenant at the end of each year (Legge 392/1978, articolo 11).

Do I need a visa to rent an apartment in Milan for 11 months if I am not an EU citizen?

Yes, non-EU citizens staying more than 90 days need a national long-stay visa (type D) and must apply for a permesso di soggiorno within 8 working days of entry (D.Lgs. 286/1998, articoli 4, 5 comma 2, 27 comma 1 lettera q-bis e comma 1-sexies; D.L. 4/2022, articolo 6-quinquies; D.M. Interno 29 febbraio 2024, articoli 1-3).

What must a landlord do if I am a non-EU foreigner moving into a rental in Italy?

The landlord must notify the local public-security authority (Questura or Commissariato) in writing within 48 hours, providing the foreigner's identity, passport details, and exact address (Legge 1228/1954, articolo 2; D.P.R. 223/1989, articolo 13; D.Lgs. 30/2007, articolo 9; D.Lgs. 286/1998, articolo 7).

Is the codice fiscale needed to sign a rental lease in Italy?

Yes, the codice fiscale is required for registering contracts and deeds (Agenzia delle Entrate, «Codice fiscale – che cos'è» (D.P.R. 605/1973)).