Moving to Milan: a comprehensive guide for aspiring expats
Want to move to Milan? Here, get our tips on housing, job opportunities, and how to adapt to the local culture.
14 min read
Rich in innovation and culture, Milan attracts fashion lovers, entrepreneurs, and history enthusiasts alike. It's home to iconic monuments like the Duomo and the Sforzesco Castle and modern architectural works like the Vertical Forest and the CityLife shopping district.Still, it's not easy to get settled in a new city, especially if you don't speak Italian (yet!) and aren't familiar with real estate and employment in Milan.
Here, we’ve put together everything you need to know about moving to Milan, from accommodation and work to healthcare and the cost of living.
Moving to Italy?
See all you should know to make your move as smooth as possible.
The capital of the Lombardy region, Milan is home to 300,000 foreign-born residents as of 2023, representing 20% of the city's population.
To get the best possible start, look for dedicated expat groups and associations, such as Easy Milano, which organizes social events, dinners, and trips. You can also look for language courses or conversation exchanges to help you learn the local language.
There's no shortage of festivals throughout the year, including concerts, shows, and events with an Italian flavor. Activities like these are a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and meet other expats with similar interests.
Finding accommodation in Milan as an expat
Looking for somewhere to live in Milan can be complicated, especially with steep market prices in prime city locations. However, it’s always possible to stay in a hotel or short-term rental for the first few days or weeks. Once you figure out which areas interest you, it’s easier to look for a long-term place to live.
Finding a place to rent in Milan: the basics
There are various online platforms you can use to find a rental property in Milan. These portals let you compare prices, districts, and nearby amenities.
Typically, you’ll either find a place to rent privately or engage the services of a real estate agency. While the first option may help you save on some costs, it's also the more risky choice. If you go through an agency, you might be able to find better places, and the agency can step in to help if anything goes wrong.
If you’re looking to rent a property in Italy for the long term, you’ll generally encounter three types of contracts:
Freely negotiated tenancy agreement (4+4): These kinds of agreements last for four years at a rental price agreed between the two parties. They can also be automatically renewed for another four years when they expire.
Regulated tenancy agreement (3+2): With these contracts, the tenant association sets the rental price, and the agreement lasts for three years. After that, it can be explicitly renewed for another three years or automatically extended for two years.
Short-term lease contract: This is a contract lasting a maximum of 18 months, often used by business travelers, students, and people doing apprenticeships or professional training.
After the rental contract is signed, the landlord may ask for a security deposit to cover any unpaid rent or damage that the tenant causes. The amount and conditions of the deposit are set out in the contract.
How to buy a house in Milan
If you’re moving to Milan and want to buy a home, the same principle applies as with renting: It’s generally more secure to go through a real estate agency.
When buying property, the first things to consider are the district and its market pricing, so that you can find the most cost-effective option that’s still in line with your needs.
In 2024, the average price per square meter is about €5,000, with peaks of over €10,000 in districts in the historic center.
To begin the purchase process, you need to have a bank account and submit a formal purchase offer. Then, the land registry (Catasto in Italian) and the urban planning office will complete some additional checks.
Once the documents are ready, a preliminary contract is drawn up and you’ll need to pay a deposit. Finally, a notary helps to prepare and register the bill of sale.As far as costs go, you should plan for the following expenses:
Real estate agency commission — approximately 3%
Land registration tax — 2% of the land value for the purchase of a first home, and 9% for a second home
Fixed mortgage tax — as of 2024, €50
Fixed stamp duty — as of 2024, €50
Notary fees —varies by notary
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Besides Milan's historic city center, there are plenty of sought-after districts across the city. Here are a few of them:
Navigli: A neighborhood that's both charming and urban at the same time, the historic Navigli canals are symbolic of Milan. Surrounded by a lively area full of clubs and shops, with great nightlife and a unique atmosphere, the area is also well connected by public transport.
Tortona: Populated by art galleries and design showrooms and best-known for the Fuorisalone, a centerpiece event during Milan Design Week, Tortona is a creative and dynamic neighborhood. Once an industrial area, today it's a center of artistic and cultural life, popular with expats and students.
Corso Sempione and Zona Fiera: An elegant residential area with French architectural influences, it's close to attractions such as Parco Sempione and CityLife. It's one of the most desirable areas of Milan, as it mixes luxury, culture, and modernity.
Isola: A perfect mix of tradition and innovation, Isola was once a working-class area, but today it's known for architectural projects like the Bosco Verticale and the modern Piazza Gae Aulenti. It's a lively and unique district that's rapidly transforming.
Porta Nuova and Porta Garibaldi: Completely renovated with modern skyscrapers and coworking spaces, Porta Nuova and Garibaldi are ideal for young professionals and expats. The area also offers plenty of shopping and leisure activities.
Porta Romana: A mostly residential neighborhood that's bustling with local life, Porta Romana is well-connected to the city center. Famous for its restaurants, weekly market, and the Fondazione Prada, it's a very safe area and is frequented by students and professionals.
Città Studi and Lambrate: Ideal for young university students thanks to its proximity to the Polytechnic and various departments, Città Studi is home to galleries and modern apartments. It's also well served by public transport to the city center.
How to find work in Milan
The Italian job market has had its ups and downs over the years, and working in Mlan as an expat can still come with some challenges. There are also several requirements that apply only to non-European job seekers.
If you’re a European Union citizen, you have the same freedom as Italians do to live in and travel around the country. You’re also allowed to engage in employment or perform self-employed work. All you need is to carry a passport or valid identity document that permits foreign travel, and request an Italian tax code.
However, the situation is more complicated for workers who aren’t from Europe. If you’re aren’t an EU citizen, you need an entry visa and a residence permit valid for a certain type of work, such as seasonal, self-employment, or employed work. Alternatively, you can apply for a residence permit for family and/or study reasons.
Finding a job in Milan will be much easier if you can speak Italian, especially for jobs that involve interacting with the public. Once you know the language, you can expand your search to many more kinds of jobs. Networking and socializing with other working expats can also be useful.
In Milan, the average annual income is about €32,000 or €15.50 per hour, equivalent to about €1,850 net per month, but this can range from €1,450 to €2,300.
VAT in Milan for expats
As mentioned already, European citizens can apply for any type of work in Milan. Alternatively, if you prefer to be self-employed, you can register for VAT.
The same applies to non-Europeans — you can also register your own business.
One particular advantage Italy offers is that VAT is a flat rate. With this simplified system, tax is only due on the amount you earn, which is helpful when starting a new business.
Before you register for VAT, it's always good to talk to an accountant. This is especially true if you plan to work remotely and run your business from another place.
The cost of living in Milan
There’s always a trade-off with living in large cities like Milan: Although there may be more jobs and chances to grow your career, the daily cost of living is usually higher than in smaller towns and cities.
Starting with basic expenses: A single room can cost between €550 and €700 or even more. The rent for a studio apartment ranges from €800 to €900 and up, and the rent for a two-room apartment starts at around €1,200.
Groceries cost around €80 to €100 per week, for a total of about €400 per month.
Individual rides on public transport cost €2.20, or you can get a monthly pass for €39 to use on all transport, including the metro and the bus.
If we also include utility bills and additional housing fees, the average monthly costs are around €1,200 to €1,300 if you're renting a single room, or up to about €1,600 if you opt for a studio apartment.
Considering other household expenses, restaurants, gym and entertainment, and any other costs, you would need a net salary of at least €2,000 per month to live comfortably in Milan.
How does Milan's healthcare system work?
No matter when you’re moving from, adapting to a different healthcare system can come with a steep learning curve. According to Italy’s constitution, the right to healthcare is guaranteed not only for Italian citizens but also for anyone who lives in Italy.
For EU citizens, the rules depend on how long you’re staying in Italy. If you stay less than three months, you can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive emergency healthcare. All you have to do is go to the appropriate public facility, show your card, and pay for a “ticket” if necessary.
Anyone staying in Italy for more than six months has to have mandatory private health insurance or be registered with the country’s National Health System (SSN).
People from countries outside the EU who stay for less than 90 days in Italy can pay the regional rates to access SSN healthcare. And anyone with a tourist visa can get private health insurance, which covers medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation expenses.
However, if you have a longer residence permit, you can contact the local health authority and get set up with a general practitioner. This also ensures that any dependent family members can access healthcare services.
Registering with the SSN is mandatory if you work, are applying for or renewing a residence permit, or are waiting for other official documentation. It’s also required for unaccompanied foreign minors. To learn more, read our guide to health insurance in Italy.
Schools and education in Milan
Many expats initially move to Milan to study at one of the city’s high-level universities. The cost of studying at a university in Italy is very reasonable compared to other countries — plus, there are many different scholarships, projects, and benefits for foreign students.
For example, students within certain income brackets are entitled to free or subsidized accommodation, as well as free meals in the university canteen. Some students might also qualify for tax advantages or fee reductions.
Some of the best educational institutions are:
Politecnico di Milano: One of the best technical universities in Europe, it's renowned for its programs in engineering, architecture, and design.
University of Milan: Among the largest and most prestigious public universities in Italy, it offers a wide range of courses in various disciplines, including science, medicine, economics, and humanities.
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University: Focusing on medicine, psychology, and philosophy, the university is affiliated with San Raffaele Hospital, one of the main research and treatment centers in Italy. It's particularly known for its innovative programs and integrated approach to science and humanities.
Catholic University of the Sacred Heart: The largest Catholic university in Europe, it offers courses in a wide range of disciplines, with a particular focus on economics and social sciences.
University of Milan-Bicocca: Bicocca is located in a former industrial area that's been recently transformed into a modern university campus. It offers specialized courses in science, medicine, economics, and other disciplines, with a strong focus on research and innovation.
Bocconi University: Internationally renowned for its business programs and excellence in economic research, Bocconi offers many different study programs in English.
New Academy of Fine Arts (NABA): A leader in visual arts, design, fashion, and media, NABA offers innovative programs that combine creativity and technical skills.
SDA Bocconi School of Management: Affiliated with Bocconi University, it offers MBA and master's programs in management.
Getting around in Milan
Milan is very well connected and it's easy to get around, both within the city and to other places in Lombardy, Italy, and Europe. It's possible to travel to Milan by car, bus, train, or plane.
If you're arriving by plane, you can land at Malpensa, Linate, or Bergamo airports. Malpensa is about 50 minutes from the city center, Bergamo is 40 minutes away, and Linate is just 20 minutes. All of the airports are convenient no matter which country you're arriving from.
From the airports, you can travel by car, train, or shuttle, which run approximately every 30-60 minutes.
If you're arriving by train, you can disembark at Milano Centrale, Rogoredo, or Porta Garibaldi stations, depending on your end destination.
To get around the city, you can buy a monthly transit pass for €39 that allows you to use all of the busses and metro lines.
Alternatively, you could ride a bike or electric scooter — although with Milan’s heavy traffic, this option can be quite dangerous and stressful.
The regional train network conveniently connects Milan to nearby cities and towns. Travelers can buy weekly or monthly passes to reduce transportation costs.
Of course, the solution you choose for your daily trips will mostly depend on the areas you live, work, and hang out in.
Cultural differences between Milan and the rest of Italy
When you set foot in Milan for the first time, it's immediately obvious that the city is a blend of cultures from all over the world. Unlike other Italian cities, it's not the local Italian dialect that's the most striking, but the wide range of completely different languages. Add to this the modernity and dynamism that's typical of the Milanese. For years, the city's atmosphere and attitude has attracted entrepreneurs and workers from all over the world in search of new challenges and opportunities.
Here are a few other quirks that might catch expats by surprise:
Rise and grind: As a city that brings together entrepreneurs from all over the world, Milan and its residents are known for working hard and aiming high. According to the Milanese mindset, "no challenge is impossible."
Fair play: Although favoritism still happens, Milan stands out for prioritizing meritocracy at work and rewarding hard workers with opportunities to advance in their careers.
The least Italian city in Italy: Even though it's within Italy's borders, Milan has become so international that it defines itself as more "European" than Italian.
A place for everyone: Milan is open-minded and always willing to accept new ideas. You'll never be a total outsider, regardless of your background, religion, or sexual orientation.
Don't climb the Duomo: If you've decided to attend university and live as an expat in Milan, think twice before climbing the Duomo — locals advise students not to climb it, or else they won't graduate!
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If you're preparing to move to Milan, the first thing to do is start planning how you'll manage your money, both in terms of accommodation and daily living expenses. Remember to consider the costs of any university study or training courses, expenses related to healthcare, visas, and any unforeseen events that could arise along the way.Fortunately, an N26 account can help you manage your expenses as an expat in Milan. It makes it simple to actively monitor your cash flow and set customized spending limits based on your personal habits.You can also use the N26 Spaces feature to create sub-accounts within your main bank account. Think of them like virtual piggy banks where you can stash savings for your future projects or different goals. And if you need a little extra help, read through our guide on how to open a bank account in Italy.
FAQs
It all depends on what you’re looking for. Milan is a thriving international city and offers a fascinating blend of history and culture — not to mention the amazing food and Mediterrean climate.
Expats in Milan live in various areas of the city such as Porta Nuova, Porta Garibaldi, Duomo, Navigli, Porta Venezia, Tortona, Isola, and Corso Sempione.
Yes — but. Many expats manage to live in Milan without speaking any Italian.
However, having some knowledge of Italian can make your day-to-day life a lot easier. Plus, you’ll have better job opportunities and be more likely to integrate into the local community.
"Italy can be welcoming to expats. Many foreigners have successfully settled and integrated into Italian society. Italians are known for their warmth and friendliness, and you can often find a sense of community within expat groups.However, your experience as an expat in Italy depends on how well you speak the language, your location, and how familiar you are with Italian bureaucracy (which can be complex).
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Yes, as an EU citizen, you have the right to live and work in Italy without applying for a work visa. But even so, you may have to follow some bureaucratic procedures to register for work and to access public services.
With five years of freelancing under her belt, Corey has plenty of experience. Here, she walks us through what went into setting up her business, as well as tips for new and aspiring freelancers.
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