Study abroad in Milan
Housing, Erasmus groups, universities, costs and student life for exchange students in Milan.
Country
ItalyStudent Budget
EUR 1,050 – 1,700/month
Transport Card
ATM monthly urban pass; check under-27 and student fare eligibility
Population
Approx. 1.4M city / 3.2M metro
Study abroad in Milan: student life
Study abroad in Milan works best when you balance university fit, housing and daily routine, not just the postcard version of the city. Italy's most career-oriented exchange city: expensive by Italian standards, but powerful for design, fashion, business, engineering, and international networking. Check neighbourhoods and campus routes before falling for the centre.
Who loves this city?
Students who want Italy with a more international, career-driven, fashion/design/business rhythm.
What makes it special
Milan gives exchange students access to Italy's strongest career and design ecosystem while still keeping train access to lakes, mountains, and other Italian cities.
Newcomer shocks
- Milan is not cheap Italy. Rent is the first filter.
- The city feels more efficient and northern-European than many students expect.
- Aperitivo can be great value, but also a quiet budget trap if you do it too often.
Weather in Milan & what to pack
Milan's weather changes commutes, class routines and social plans more than brochures suggest. Use the month table to plan clothing, daylight and the weeks when indoor study becomes easier.
| Month | Conditions | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January 5° / -1° | 🌧️ Fog and cold rainFog and cold rain, cool | 9h daylight; Milanese fog famous |
| February 7° / 0° | 🌤️ Cold and foggyCold and foggy, cool | Fashion Week; stylish warm coat required |
| March 13° / 5° | 🌤️ ShowersShowers, mild | Spring builds; medium jacket |
| April 17° / 8° | 🌧️ Rain showersRain showers, mild | Salone del Mobile design week; busy |
| May 22° / 12° | 🌧️ Some rainSome rain, warm | Lovely; Navigli canals alive |
| June 27° / 17° | 🌤️ ThunderstormsThunderstorms, warm | Hot; lake trips at weekends |
| July 30° / 20° | ☀️ Dry, heat wavesDry, heat waves, hot | Very hot; many Milanese leave in August |
| August 29° / 19° | ☀️ DryDry, hot | City quieter; August holiday month |
| September 24° / 15° | 🌧️ Light rainLight rain, warm | Pleasant; fashion week again |
| October 17° / 10° | 🌧️ Rain and mistRain and mist, mild | Autumn fog returns; layer up |
| November 10° / 5° | 🌧️ Cold rainCold rain, cool | Dense fog; waterproof boots useful |
| December 6° / 0° | 🌤️ Fog and coldFog and cold, cool | Christmas lights; warm stylish coat |
Winters are colder and foggier than Rome or Bologna. Metro and tram coverage make daily life manageable.
Packing checklist
- Warm coat for Jan–Feb fog
- Light summer clothes for July–Aug
- Layers for April/October fashion week weather
- Waterproof shoes for foggy/rainy days
- Sunscreen for summer trips to the lakes
Cost of living for students in Milan
Cost of Living Index
73.2 / 100
Expensive · World avg ≈ 44
The budget to study abroad in Milan is mostly rent-led: use EUR 550-950/month for rooms and EUR 1050-1700/month as the wider monthly planning range. Keep a buffer for deposit, transport and first-week setup.
| Category | Range / mo | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shared room - private market | EUR 550 – 900 | Rooms near Bocconi, Polimi, or central metro lines rise fast before semester start. |
| Groceries | EUR 190 – 320 | Manageable with supermarkets and mensa, but eating out is pricier than Bologna. |
| Transport | EUR 22 – 39 | ATM student/young-person fares can reduce the baseline cost. |
Private-market baseline
Use the standard student budget as a private-market planning range. Shared housing can cost less than a private apartment, especially outside the centre.
University and public housing
Campus halls, CROUS or an equivalent public option may cost substantially less. Prices, shared-room conditions and eligibility depend on the institution, and availability is never assumed in the standard range.
Going out & dining
Supermarket basket
Source: Numbeo · Prices approximate, updated periodically.
Student housing in Milan
Housing in Milan should be solved before arrival: compare neighbourhood, campus route and contract terms, not just price. Use official contacts, verified platforms and student groups, and avoid rushed deposits.
Citta Studi
Varies by street, room type, and season.Politecnico and Statale students who want a student-heavy daily base.. Commute: Strong for Polimi and central links
Lambrate
Varies by street, room type, and season.Better value near student corridors and train links.. Commute: Good metro and rail access
Porta Romana
Varies by street, room type, and season.Bocconi students and people who want a polished residential rhythm.. Commute: Strong for Bocconi and south-central Milan
Bicocca
Varies by street, room type, and season.Students tied to Bicocca or looking for a more campus-practical setup.. Commute: Good for Bicocca; longer to Navigli/Bocconi
Where to search
Official contacts
Host university accommodation or international office
Start with your host university in Milan; they usually publish residence routes, partner platforms or scam warnings.
Student residences
University residences and student halls
Useful first landing if you accept less flexibility and apply early.
Private platforms
Student groups
ESN and international student groups
Useful for room leads, flatmates and scam warnings; still verify contract and identity.
Documents to prepare
Passport or national ID
Admission or exchange confirmation
Proof of funds or guarantor details if requested
Deposit funds and signed lease
Health insurance or local registration documents if required
Timing
Start with university housing as soon as the host opens applications.
Keep temporary accommodation for arrival if the private market is tight.
For one-semester stays, confirm minimum term and cancellation rules before signing.
Deposit & contract notes
Do not pay a deposit without a written contract, landlord identity and proof the room exists.
Ask whether utilities, internet, building fees and agency fees are included.
Red flags
Never transfer money or deposits before signing a written rental contract and verifying the landlord's identity.
Always request a live video tour or physical viewing of the property to confirm it exists and matches the description.
Be extremely suspicious of listings priced significantly lower than the local market average for that neighborhood.
Is Milan safe for students?
Safety Index
46.1 / 100
Moderate — stay alert
Crime Index
53.9 / 100
Moderate crime
Source: Numbeo · Lower crime = safer. Higher safety = safer.
Milan is usually manageable for students, but the real risks are practical: petty theft, late-night routes, housing scams and weak arrival planning. Save 112 and test your commute before classes intensify.
Milan is generally safe for students. The main risks are pickpocketing around Centrale, Duomo, metro crowds, and housing scams targeting internationals.
Top risks
- Pickpocketing in metro and around Centrale
- Housing scams
- Phone theft in crowded nightlife zones
Getting around Milan
Transport in Milan works best once you pick the right pass or card in week one. A direct campus route often matters more than the most fashionable neighbourhood.
🚇 Metro, tram, bus
Milan is one of Italy's easiest cities for transit-based student life.
Check ATM under-27 and student fares
Things to do in Milan as a student
Events in Milan are not just sightseeing; they help students build groups, understand the city and keep social life affordable. Mix seasonal festivals, local culture and low-cost repeatable plans.
Design Week
April
Many free events
Huge citywide creative week, especially strong for design and architecture students.
Aperitivo in Navigli
Year-round
Mid-cost
The easiest Milan social format if you budget for it.
Lake Como day trip
Spring to autumn
Low to mid-cost
One of the best weekend advantages of studying in Milan.
medium
Salone del Mobile (Fuorisalone)
April
Trade fair: €25; Fuorisalone events: mostly free
World's most important design fair — but the Fuorisalone street events across the city are free and equally impressive
Milano Estate (Summer Outdoors)
June – August
Many free; cinema €6
Milan transforms in summer — open-air cinema at Arco della Pace, aperitivo in Navigli, free concerts at Castello
AC Milan or Inter Milan Match
August – May (Serie A)
€20–80
Two of the world's greatest clubs share San Siro — the Derby della Madonnina is one of football's iconic rivalries
Student discounts & perks in Milan
Student perks in Milan can reduce transport, food, culture and activities if you carry proof of enrolment. Activate them early because small savings matter by the end of the month.
Museums & Culture
ISIC (International Student Identity Card) Discounts
Get international student discounts at main museums, galleries, cultural sites, and tourist attractions.
VisitLocal Museum Youth/Student Days
Many national and municipal museums offer free or highly discounted entry for students and young residents under 26.
VisitFood Savings
Check ATM youth/student passes before buying single tickets. Fares & passes
Universities in Milan for exchange students
Politecnico di Milano, Bocconi University are the main reference points. Compare faculty fit, language, campus route and housing before choosing.
Bocconi University
Milan's clearest business, economics, finance, and management exchange option, with a polished campus rhythm and a very international student network.
Politecnico di Milano
Milan's strongest technical exchange option, especially for engineering, architecture, design, and students who want a career-facing semester in Italy.
Student social life in Milan
Social life in Milan starts faster when you join ESN, student associations, sport or weekly routines. Do not rely only on nightlife; repeated groups usually build better friendships.
What Students Usually Get Wrong
Student Associations
Meeting Places 4
Public Groups 3
ESN Politecnico Milano
Main social and onboarding route for Polimi exchange students.
ESN Bocconi
Exchange and international-student layer around Bocconi.
Milan Language Exchange
Useful public social layer beyond only university groups.
Forums & Advice 1
Erasmus+ Community
Official network for exchange students — forums, contacts, and city guides.
Reddit: r/milano
Useful local reality check on rent, neighborhoods, and transit.