Monthly Student Budget in Milan for 2026: The Complete Guide with Figures

Key article takeaways

• Moving to Italy is straightforward for EU citizens, but involves mandatory administrative steps.
• The codice fiscale is the essential document to obtain upon arriving in Italy.
• Registration with the Anagrafe (municipal register) is compulsory after 3 months of residence.
• Opening an Italian bank account makes renting, setting up subscriptions and daily life much easier.
• A suitable expat insurance policy is essential to cover risks not handled locally.
• Planning your housing in advance and avoiding rental scams protects your move.
• Staying on top of administrative tasks from the very start prevents delays and bureaucratic hold-ups.

Every year, thousands of people choose Italy as their new home: sunshine, quality of life, culture, and the dynamism of major cities like Milan, Rome and Florence. But behind this appealing lifestyle lies a set of administrative procedures for moving to Italy that are best anticipated to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Good news for European Union citizens: no visa is required. You benefit from freedom of movement. However, several formalities remain compulsory sometimes overlooked and failing to comply can block access to housing, employment or healthcare.

Obtaining your codice fiscale, registering with your local town hall, opening a bank account, understanding the Italian healthcare system, and protecting your move with appropriate insurance: these are the steps that map out every new expat's journey. Whether you are moving alone, with family or for study purposes, this guide walks you through each stage to turn your Italian relocation project into a successful, smooth and well-organised move.

Do you need a visa to move to Italy?

This question comes up frequently, and the answer is immediately reassuring. As a French or European national, you do not need a visa to settle in Italy.

Freedom of movement within the European Union allows you to enter, reside and work freely on Italian territory. No prior consular steps are required. However, two important nuances are worth noting:

• For stays of less than 90 days, your valid identity card or passport is sufficient.
• Beyond 90 days, official registration with the Italian municipality becomes compulsory.
• Non-EU nationals (Swiss, Canadian, etc.) must obtain a permesso di soggiorno (residence permit).
• Non-EU students will also need to arrange a specific student visa before departure.

20 essential steps for moving to Italy detail these distinctions precisely according to your nationality. It is best to check them before finalising your plans.

The codice fiscale: your first document to obtain

This is THE foundational document of your administrative life in Italy. Without a codice fiscale, you can barely do anything: no rental contract, no bank account, no employment contract.

This 16-character tax identification number is easy to obtain, usually within a few days. Here is how to proceed:

• Visit the Agenzia delle Entrate (the Italian equivalent of the tax authority) with your passport or identity card.
• The process is free and quick, often completed on the same day.
• It can also be obtained from the Italian consulate in your home country before you leave.
• Some expats apply online through the official Agenzia delle Entrate portal.

Get it during your first few days. All other documents depend on it.

Why not wait to obtain it?

Some expats put off this step thinking it can wait. This is a common mistake. Without a codice fiscale, you cannot sign a lease, open a bank account or access the public healthcare system. Treat it as your absolute priority upon arrival.

Registering with the Anagrafe: compulsory municipal registration

After the codice fiscale, the next step involves officially registering with the town hall of your municipality of residence. This process is called iscrizione all'Anagrafe and is compulsory for any stay exceeding 3 months.

It allows you to obtain a certificate of residence, which is essential for:

• Signing an official rental contract.
• Accessing local public services (schools, nurseries, libraries).
• Asserting your rights as a European resident.
• Voting in local and European elections.

To register, visit the civil registry office (Ufficio Anagrafe) at your town hall with your identity document, proof of address and, in some cases, your codice fiscale. Processing times vary by municipality: allow between 2 and 6 weeks to receive your official registration certificate.

AIRE registration: staying connected to your home country

Alongside your registration in Italy, remember to enrol on the Register of French Nationals Living Abroad (AIRE) at your nearest French consulate. This registration allows you to retain your civic rights in France, vote in French elections from abroad and facilitate certain consular procedures. It is free and can be done online.

Opening a bank account in Italy

A local bank account is almost indispensable from the moment you arrive. Rent, bills, salaries, subscriptions: everything goes through an Italian account.

The main Italian banks accessible to newcomers are:

• Intesa Sanpaolo and UniCredit: major traditional banks with branches across the country.
• Fineco Bank: an online option appreciated for its low fees.
• N26 or Revolut: neobank alternatives accepted for everyday payments, but not always sufficient for landlords.

To open an account, you will generally need your codice fiscale, a valid identity document and proof of address (even a temporary one). Some banks may also ask for proof of income or financial resources.

complete guide to administrative procedures in Italy recommends opening your account within the first few weeks to keep all subsequent steps running smoothly.

Finding housing and avoiding scams

Finding somewhere to live is often the first practical challenge of relocating abroad. In Italy, the rental market is tight in major cities such as Milan, Rome and Bologna, and prices have risen sharply in recent years.

A few reference points for navigating this market:

• The median rent in Milan exceeds €1,500 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in central neighbourhoods.
• Flat-sharing is very common, particularly among students and young professionals.
• Platforms such as Immobiliare.it and Idealista are the leading local resources for property searches.
• A security deposit equivalent to 2 or 3 months' rent is routinely required.

To protect yourself, read our article on apartment rental scams abroad. Warning signs are detailed with precision.

The rental contract: what to check

Before signing, read every clause. The most common lease in Italy is the 4+4 contract (4 years automatically renewable for a further 4 years) or the 3+2 transitional contract. Always check:

• The exact amount of rent and service charges.
• The conditions for early termination.
• The property inspection report upon entry (verbale di consegna), which must always be carried out in writing.
• Registration of the contract with the Agenzia delle Entrate, which is compulsory in order to be legally protected.

An unregistered contract leaves you with no legal protection in the event of a dispute. Never accept one.

Healthcare and social cover in Italy

The Italian public healthcare system (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, SSN) is accessible to residents who are officially registered with the Anagrafe. Once your registration is confirmed, you can choose a GP (medico di base) and access reimbursed medical care.

Here are the steps to join the SSN:

1. Obtain your codice fiscale and certificate of residence.
2. Visit the Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL) in your municipality.
3. Choose your GP from the list provided.
4. Receive your tessera sanitaria (Italian health card).

Processing times may vary by region. In the meantime, or while you are still in the process of settling in, your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provides temporary cover for urgent medical care.

Taking out supplementary expat insurance

The SSN does not cover everything. Certain treatments, specialist fees or medical repatriation can represent significant costs. Taking out expat insurance with essential cover protects you against costly unexpected events. Pay particular attention to civil liability cover, repatriation and dental care.

Working in Italy: procedures and obligations

As a European national, you have the right to work in Italy without prior authorisation. This considerably simplifies the process. However, a few formalities are still required.

For employees:

• Your employer must declare your hiring to the INPS (National Social Security Institute) and INAIL (workplace accident insurance).
• Your payslip will show your social security contributions (approximately 10% for the employee).
• You will be automatically enrolled in the Italian pension system.

For self-employed workers (freelancers, sole traders):

• Opening a Partita IVA (VAT number), compulsory for any self-employed activity.
• Choosing a tax regime: the regime forfetario (flat-rate regime) is particularly advantageous for young self-employed individuals, with a capped tax rate of 15%.
• Registering with the Chamber of Commerce (for certain activities).

complete guide to living and working in Italy details the tax and social security specifics for each professional status.

Tax obligations and filing requirements

Moving to Italy does not automatically mean leaving the French tax system. During the first year, and depending on your situation, you may be considered a tax resident in both countries.

A few rules to keep in mind:

• If you reside in Italy for more than 183 days per year, you are considered an Italian tax resident.
• As a tax resident, you are liable for tax on your worldwide income in Italy.
• The Franco-Italian tax treaty prevents double taxation on most types of income.
• Notify the French tax authorities of your departure to avoid accidental double taxation.

The case of retirees and those living on investment income

French retirees who settle in certain regions of southern Italy (Sicily, Calabria, Sardinia) may benefit from a reduced tax rate of 7% on their foreign income for 10 years. A little-known but highly attractive scheme for those considering a sunny retirement.

Enrolling children in school and relocating as a family

Italy welcomes a large number of expat families every year. The state school system is freely accessible to resident children, from nursery school (scuola dell'infanzia) through to secondary school (liceo). Enrolment is handled by the local catchment school, upon presentation of the certificate of residence and the child's codice fiscale.

Points to plan ahead for a family relocation:

• Children who do not speak Italian are supported by language assistance teachers in most state schools.
• French schools (lycées français) exist in Rome, Milan and Turin for families wishing to continue the French curriculum.
• State nurseries (asili nido) operate on a waiting list basis: register early.
• Italian child benefit (assegno unico) is available subject to residence and income conditions.

guide to relocating to Italy as a family provides a comprehensive overview of the logistical and administrative aspects to consider when moving with children.

To prepare your departure in the best possible conditions, our pre-departure expat checklist helps you avoid overlooking anything, whatever your destination.

Driving and getting around in Italy

Your driving licence is valid in Italy without any mandatory exchange as long as you remain an EU national. However, if you become an official resident and wish to register a vehicle in Italy, additional steps are required.

What expat drivers need to know:

• A European driving licence is recognised and valid indefinitely in Italy.
• To register an imported vehicle, you must contact the Motorizzazione Civile.
• Italian car insurance (RC Auto) is compulsory and varies by region, with southern municipalities often being more expensive.
• ZTL zones (limited traffic zones) in historic city centres impose significant restrictions: check local rules before driving in urban areas.

Mistakes to avoid when settling in

Even with thorough preparation, certain pitfalls are easy to avoid if you know about them in advance. Expats in Italy regularly report the same recurring mistakes.

• Waiting until you are fully settled before obtaining the codice fiscale. This holds up everything else.
• Signing a rental contract without checking its official registration.
• Neglecting to register with the Anagrafe, which conditions access to public services.
• Underestimating administrative processing times, which can be lengthy depending on the municipality.
• Forgetting to update your tax situation in your home country before leaving.

To avoid these pitfalls, read our guide on mistakes to avoid when relocating abroad. Concrete situations are analysed to help you plan ahead.

Conclusion: Your move to Italy, step by step

Preparing your move to Italy thoroughly means turning what could be a stressful adventure into a smooth and rewarding experience.

The codice fiscale, Anagrafe registration, opening a bank account, health cover and housing form the indispensable foundation of any successful relocation. Taxation, self-employment and children's schooling then complete the picture. Each step follows logically from the last: start in order and everything becomes simpler. Anticipating delays, avoiding rental scams and choosing the right insurance make the difference between a chaotic move and a stress-free start.

Would you like to take your preparation further? Discover our expat support packages designed specifically to guide you through every stage, from finding housing to completing administrative procedures. Moving to Italy is within your reach: with the right tools, your plans become reality.

‍