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
City Vibe
Italy's most career-oriented exchange city: expensive by Italian standards, but powerful for design, fashion, business, engineering, and international networking.
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.
Before You Land
A few practical setup details students usually sort before arrival
Connectivity, insurance, and secure public WiFi are the boring things you only notice when you need them. Keep them on your checklist, but keep the guide itself front and centre.
Arrival Connectivity
Sort an eSIM before you land
Maps, ride apps, 2FA codes, and WhatsApp are usually the first things students need from the airport.
Coverage Check
Confirm your travel insurance
Even when the university gives guidance, students usually need to double-check what is covered before departure.
Public WiFi
Have a backup for shared networks
Campus halls, airports, and cafés are convenient, but many students prefer an extra privacy layer when they first arrive.
Weather & Packing
| Season | High / Low | Conditions | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5°C / -1°C | Fog and cold rain | 9h daylight; Milanese fog famous |
| February | 7°C / 0°C | Cold and foggy | Fashion Week; stylish warm coat required |
| March | 13°C / 5°C | Showers | Spring builds; medium jacket |
| April | 17°C / 8°C | Rain showers | Salone del Mobile design week; busy |
| May | 22°C / 12°C | Some rain | Lovely; Navigli canals alive |
| June | 27°C / 17°C | Thunderstorms | Hot; lake trips at weekends |
| July | 30°C / 20°C | Dry, heat waves | Very hot; many Milanese leave in August |
| August | 29°C / 19°C | Dry | City quieter; August holiday month |
| September | 24°C / 15°C | Light rain | Pleasant; fashion week again |
| October | 17°C / 10°C | Rain and mist | Autumn fog returns; layer up |
| November | 10°C / 5°C | Cold rain | Dense fog; waterproof boots useful |
| December | 6°C / 0°C | Fog and cold | 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
Cost of Living Index
73.2 / 100
Expensive · World avg ≈ 44
| Category | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Room Rent | EUR 550 – 900/month | Rooms near Bocconi, Polimi, or central metro lines rise fast before semester start. |
| Groceries | EUR 190 – 320/month | Manageable with supermarkets and mensa, but eating out is pricier than Bologna. |
| Transport | EUR 22 – 39/month | ATM student/young-person fares can reduce the baseline cost. |
Going out & dining
Supermarket basket
Source: Numbeo · Prices approximate, updated periodically.
Housing
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
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.
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.
Safety
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 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
Transport
🚇 Metro, tram, bus
Milan is one of Italy's easiest cities for transit-based student life.
Check ATM under-27 and student fares
Events & Activities
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 Perks
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
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.
Social Life
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.