Milan Tightens Rental Controls

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Milan has taken a decisive step in reshaping its short-term rental landscape by banning self-check-in key boxes installed on public land, starting in January 2026. The measure, adopted by the city council, aims to address overtourism, protect public space, and strengthen safety controls in one of Italy’s most visited urban destinations.

Why key boxes became controversial

Key boxes have long allowed guests to access rental properties without meeting hosts in person, streamlining operations for landlords and platforms such as Airbnb. However, city officials argue that these devices represent an improper use of public property for private gain. Installed on street furniture, gates, fences, and building facades, key boxes have increasingly been viewed as visual pollution and a source of tension with local residents.

Public safety concerns drive policy

Beyond urban decorum, Milan’s decision is rooted in security concerns. Authorities stress that self-check-in arrangements undermine guest identification requirements, creating gaps in accountability. Italian judicial investigations have linked key boxes to illegal activities, including drug trafficking, reinforcing calls for stricter oversight. The Ministry of the Interior has consistently supported in-person check-ins as a public order measure, particularly amid rising short-term rental activity.

Fines and enforcement from 2026

Under the new rules, property owners have a limited period to remove key boxes. Failure to comply will result in fines ranging from €100 to €400, along with the cost of municipal removal. Milan now joins Florence, Venice, Bologna, and Rome, where similar bans have already been implemented as part of broader urban management strategies.

Legal backdrop and national implications

The ban follows a complex legal path at the national level. While a regional court initially annulled the Interior Ministry’s directive on in-person guest identification, Italy’s Council of State overturned that ruling in late 2025, confirming the legality of mandatory visual identification and effectively restricting self-check-in via key boxes. This legal clarity has empowered municipalities to enforce stricter local controls.

Citizen pressure and urban impact

Grassroots opposition has played a significant role in accelerating regulatory action. In historic districts across Milan, Rome, and Florence, residents have protested against the spread of key boxes, viewing them as symbols of gentrification, rising rents, and the erosion of local communities. Public campaigns and direct action have amplified demands for tighter municipal oversight.

As reported by International Investment experts, Milan’s ban on key boxes signals a broader European trend toward regulating the physical infrastructure of short-term rentals rather than targeting platforms alone. For investors and property owners, this marks a shift toward higher compliance costs and stricter operational standards, reshaping the risk and return profile of urban rental markets.