A furnished monthly rental in Milan costs a median of 1,192 € for a studio, 1,500 € for a one-bedroom flat, 2,688 € for a flat with two or more bedrooms, and 600 € for a room in a shared flat, with bills included in 58%, 67%, 69%, and 83% of these listings respectively (Flexsirent observatory, October 2026). This guide explains the costs associated with different home types, the legal limits on the security deposit, and the mandatory registration steps and paperwork required to secure a mid-term rental.

Monthly rental prices in Milan by home type

The cost of renting a furnished home in Milan varies significantly based on the size and type of accommodation. According to the Flexsirent observatory (October 2026), the median advertised monthly rents and availability are as follows:

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

These figures show that shared rooms are the most available option and the most likely to include utility costs in the monthly price.

Deposit and payment rules for Milan rentals

When signing a rental contract, the security deposit (deposito cauzionale) cannot exceed three months' rent and must bear legal interest, which the landlord is required to pay to the tenant at the end of each year (Legge 392/1978, articolo 11). Regarding payments, landlords must not receive cash for amounts of 5,000 € or more, including rents that are split into smaller instalments to appear artificially fragmented, a rule in effect since 1 January 2023 (D.Lgs. 231/2007, articolo 49 commi 1 e 3-bis (Legge 197/2022)). To facilitate these transactions, any consumer legally resident in the European Union has the right to open a basic payment account (conto di base) in euro with any bank, Poste Italiane, or payment institution (D.Lgs. 385/1993 (Testo unico bancario), articoli 126-noviesdecies e 126-vicies).

Registration and paperwork for mid-term rentals in Milan

A mid-term rental of some months is classified as a contratto di locazione di natura transitoria; it lasts up to 18 months and must explicitly state the specific need of the landlord or tenant—such as study, work mobility, apprenticeship, or job search—that justifies the temporary nature of the stay (Legge 431/1998, articolo 5; D.M. 16 gennaio 2017, articoli 2 e 3; D.Lgs. 123/2025, Allegato, articolo 17). Residential leases exceeding 30 days in total per year between the same parties must be registered with the Agenzia delle Entrate within 30 days of signing or the start date, whichever is earlier (Legge 431/1998, articolo 5; D.M. 16 gennaio 2017, articoli 2 e 3; D.Lgs. 123/2025, Allegato, articolo 17).

To register these contracts, a codice fiscale is required to identify the person with the tax administration (Agenzia delle Entrate, «Codice fiscale – che cos'è» (D.P.R. 605/1973)). Non-EU citizens may obtain this automatically through the Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione when entering for family reunion or work, or from the Questura upon the issuance or renewal of a permesso di soggiorno; others, including EU citizens, can request it via form AA4/8 at an Agenzia delle Entrate office, by certified e-mail, or through an Italian consulate if residing abroad (Agenzia delle Entrate, «Codice fiscale – che cos'è» (D.P.R. 605/1973)). Additionally, anyone providing lodging to a non-EU foreigner must notify the local public-security authority, such as the Questura or Commissariato, in writing within 48 hours, providing the foreigner's passport details and address to avoid fines ranging from 500 to 3,500 € (Legge 1228/1954, articolo 2; D.P.R. 223/1989, articolo 13; D.Lgs. 30/2007, articolo 9; D.Lgs. 286/1998, articolo 7).

Visas and residence permits for non-EU renters

Non-EU citizens planning to stay for more than 90 days require a national long-stay visa (type D) based on their reason for stay, such as elective residence, study, or employment, and must apply for a permesso di soggiorno at the Questura 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). An exception exists for highly qualified digital nomads and remote workers, who do not need a work authorisation (nulla osta) and can obtain a residence permit for up to 1 year (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). This permit is subject to providing proof of accommodation, health insurance, and a minimum annual income of at least three times the health-ticket exemption threshold, while adhering to 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

What is the maximum deposit a landlord can ask for a monthly rental in Milan?

The deposit cannot be more than three months' rent (Legge 392/1978, articolo 11).

Do I need to register with the population register (anagrafe) when renting for a few months in Milan, and if so, when?

Yes, a move of residence must be declared to the Comune within 20 days; EU citizens staying more than 3 months must request the iscrizione anagrafica once those 3 months have passed (Legge 1228/1954, articolo 2; D.P.R. 223/1989, articolo 13; D.Lgs. 30/2007, articolo 9; D.Lgs. 286/1998, articolo 7).

What contract type must a landlord and tenant sign for a mid-term rental in Milan, and what must it state?

They must sign a contratto di locazione di natura transitoria, which must state the particular need of the tenant or landlord, such as study or work mobility, that justifies the stay (Legge 431/1998, articolo 5; D.M. 16 gennaio 2017, articoli 2 e 3; D.Lgs. 123/2025, Allegato, articolo 17).

As a non-EU digital nomad, do I need a work permit to rent and work remotely in Milan for several months?

No, digital nomads and remote workers do not need a work authorisation (nulla osta) to obtain a residence permit of up to 1 year (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).