With a population of around 1 million inhabitants, Milan is the country’s second largest city, headquarter of many multinational companies and an exclusive center of fashion, culture and social life.
Before entering Italy
If you intend to relocate to Milan, remember that the immigration process is different for EU and extra-EU nationals. As extra-EU you will need a travel visa to enter the country. Then, you must register your presence either at Questura di Milano or at Prefettura di Milano.
As EU national, you will just be required to obtain your fiscal code. However, both EU and extra-EU citizens who wish to live in Italy permanently need to enroll at Milan Town Hall: Arletti&Partners can support you in these processes.
Finding a home in Milan
Due to the cosmopolitan character and productive industrial sector of the city, Milan’s housing market moves at very fast speed and rental prices are slightly above the average. At first glance, finding a new home might look challenging but our consultants are here to help you!
The city of Milan is administratively divided into nine districts:
- Centro storico: the rental prices here are among the highest in all the city.
Area C is a designated traffic restricted zone (ZTL) introduced to reduce traffic, promote public transport, and decrease the high levels of pollution in the city. - Stazione Centrale: here the population density is among the highest in the city, which makes this district a fine example of multiculturalism.
- Città Studi, Lambrate,Venezia: the most important district in this area is Città Studi, a well-known university centre with the Politecnico and the University of Milan.
- Vittoria, Forlanini: in the south-eastern side of the city, well connected by several metro stops and crossed by the motorway, which cuts the municipality in two with several access points.
- Vicentino, Chiaravalle, Gratoscoglio: located in the southern area of Milan, it’s the less populated district of the city.
- Barona, Lorenteggio: located in the southwest part of the city, it hosts the Porta Genova train station and several underground stops and is well characterized by the charming canals “Navigli”, well-known for the nightlife.
- Baggio, De Angeli, San Siro: located in the western part of the city, it is the most extended area, including a large number of parks as well as the ‘Giuseppe Meazza’ stadium, better known as “San Siro”.
- Fiera, Quartiere Gallaratese, Quarto Oggiaro: it is the most populous of Milan’s districts, located northwest of the city centre.
- Stazione Garibaldi, Niguarda: this area corresponds to the northern part of the metropolis. The Biccoca University, the North Milan Park, the business centre and the Porta Garibaldi station are the “symbols” of this part of the city.
Arletti&Partners can support you in every phase of your house search, from the temporary accommodation to the lease contract negotiation and signature until the house delivery.
Best places to visit in Milan
Among the main attractions offered by the city, you may be interested in visiting the following:
- Duomo di Milano: it is the city’s most iconic cultural site. You can take a tour of the interior and also reach the cathedral rooftop for a breathtaking view of the city.
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: it is located next to the Cathedral and it is the best shopping mall in Milan city centre, where you can find many luxury brands.
- Teatro alla Scala: opened in the 18th century, nowadays it hosts some of the world’s most talented artists. Musical, opera, and ballet titles change each month and are performed every night during the theater season.
- Pinacoteca di Brera: the art gallery is located in Palazzo di Brera and it is home to great masterpieces.
- Castello Sforzesco: built as a medieval fortress, it is a good representation of history and culture.
- Parco Sempione: it is one of the best-known green areas in Milan and, with its green lawns and tree-lined avenues, it is a destination for tourists and Milanese alike, especially in the warmer and sunnier seasons.
Healthcare assistance
Foreign nationals legally residing in Italy have the right to be enrolled to the Regione Lombardia Health System to be assisted by a family doctor or pediatrician.
Arletti&Partners can support you enrolling into the Health System and finding an English-speaking doctor to guarantee you and your family the best assistance.
Getting to know Milan culture and traditions
Milan offers different international schooling options for young children and teenagers, as well as renowned Universities. Milan is also known for hosting Fashion Week, an exclusive event that every year hosts the new collections of the world’s most important and famous designers.
At various times of the year, it is also possible to attend food festivals in the city centre, celebrating both Italian and international culinary traditions.
Transportation and connections
The Milan subway system comprises four lines: M1 (red line), M2 (green line), M3 (yellow line), and M5 (lilac line), in addition to the Passante railway (Passante ferroviario). The subway runs every day from 05.30 a.m. to 00.30 a.m., and from 06.00 a.m. to 00.30 a.m. on Sundays and on holidays.
Passante ferroviario is an underground railway which runs through Milan and it has 6 main stops: Porta Vittoria, Dateo, Repubblica, Porta Venezia, Porta Garibaldi and Domodossola.
Also, Milan has three main airports: Milan-Linate, just a few km from the city centre, Milan-Malpensa (30 km from Milan), and Bergamo Orio al Serio (40 km from Milan). You can easily reach these airports by taxi, by bus or by train.