Typical monthly rents for furnished homes in Milan vary by type: rooms in shared flats have a median of 600 €, studios 1,192 €, one-bedroom flats 1,500 €, and flats with two or more bedrooms 2,688 € (Flexsirent observatory, October 2026). Mid-term rental contracts for students are subject to specific legal requirements under Italian law, including mandatory registration for leases exceeding 30 days per year (Legge 431/1998, articolo 5; D.M. 16 gennaio 2017, articoli 2 e 3; D.Lgs. 123/2025, Allegato, articolo 17).

Housing Types and Monthly Prices in Milan

Rooms in shared flats have a median advertised monthly rent of 600 €, with prices typically ranging between 520 € and 690 €; there are 362 listings, and 83% include bills. Studios show a median advertised monthly rent of 1,192 €, with half of the 74 listings priced between 958 € and 1,345 €, and 58% include bills. One-bedroom flats have a median advertised monthly rent of 1,500 €, with half of the 129 listings falling between 1,150 € and 2,097 €, and 67% include bills. Flats with two bedrooms or more have a median advertised monthly rent of 2,688 €, with half of the 43 listings between 2,200 € and 3,974 €, and 69% include bills. All these figures are based on the Flexsirent observatory (October 2026).

A mid-term rental of some months is defined as a temporary contract (contratto di locazione di natura transitoria), which lasts up to 18 months and must specify a particular need, such as study or work mobility, to justify its duration (Legge 431/1998, articolo 5; D.M. 16 gennaio 2017, articoli 2 e 3; D.Lgs. 123/2025, Allegato, articolo 17). Specifically, a university-student contract lasts from 6 months to 3 years and is renewable upon the first expiry (Legge 431/1998, articolo 5; D.M. 16 gennaio 2017, articoli 2 e 3; D.Lgs. 123/2025, Allegato, articolo 17). Any residential lease 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, if that occurs earlier (Legge 431/1998, articolo 5; D.M. 16 gennaio 2017, articoli 2 e 3; D.Lgs. 123/2025, Allegato, articolo 17).

Deposits, Registration, and Tax Identification

The security deposit (deposito cauzionale) cannot exceed three months' rent (Legge 392/1978, articolo 11). This deposit bears legal interest, which must be paid to the tenant at the end of every year (Legge 392/1978, articolo 11).

All residents must request registration (iscrizione anagrafica) in the population register of the Comune where they habitually live, declaring a move from abroad or another comune within 20 days (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). For non-EU foreigners, the person providing lodging must notify the local public-security authority, such as the Questura or Commissariato, in writing within 48 hours with the foreigner's identity, passport, and address; failure to do so results in a fine 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).

The codice fiscale is the tax ID required for registering deeds and rental contracts (Agenzia delle Entrate, «Codice fiscale – che cos'è» (D.P.R. 605/1973)). Non-EU citizens typically obtain it at the Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione upon entry for family or work reasons, or from the Questura during the issuance of a residence permit (Agenzia delle Entrate, «Codice fiscale – che cos'è» (D.P.R. 605/1973)). EU citizens or others without one can apply using form AA4/8 at an Agenzia delle Entrate office or via certified e-mail, while those residing abroad apply through the Italian consulate (Agenzia delle Entrate, «Codice fiscale – che cos'è» (D.P.R. 605/1973)).

Payment Methods and Visa Requirements for Non-EU Students

Since 1 January 2023, cash payments for rent and other transactions are forbidden for amounts from 5,000 € upwards, including cases where payments are artificially fragmented into smaller instalments (D.Lgs. 231/2007, articolo 49 commi 1 e 3-bis (Legge 197/2022)). To facilitate payments, any consumer legally resident in the EU has the right to open a basic payment account (conto di base) in euro with any payment institution, bank, or Poste Italiane (D.Lgs. 385/1993 (Testo unico bancario), articoli 126-noviesdecies e 126-vicies). This account is free for low-income groups and can only be refused in writing within 10 working days if legal requirements are missing or an account already exists in Italy (D.Lgs. 385/1993 (Testo unico bancario), articoli 126-noviesdecies e 126-vicies).

Non-EU citizens staying more than 90 days for reasons such as study or employment require a national long-stay visa (type D) 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). Remote workers and digital nomads from outside the EU do not need work authorisation (nulla osta) (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). These individuals can obtain a residence permit for up to 1 year, provided they have health insurance, proof of accommodation, a minimum annual income of at least three times the health-ticket exemption threshold, and adhere 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

The deposit cannot be more than 3 months' rent (Legge 392/1978, articolo 11).

How long must a student rental contract last under Italian law?

A university-student contract lasts from 6 months to 3 years and is 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).

What do non-EU students need to do with the local police when renting in Milan?

The person letting the property to a non-EU foreigner must notify the local public-security authority (Questura or Commissariato) in writing within 48 hours with the foreigner's identity, passport details, and 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).

Can a landlord ask for rent payment in cash in Milan?

Cash payments are forbidden for amounts from 5,000 € upwards, including payments split into smaller instalments that appear artificially fragmented (D.Lgs. 231/2007, articolo 49 commi 1 e 3-bis (Legge 197/2022)).