In this article (6)
In short
- Italian law requires every guest's ID to be registered with the police: usually done online before arrival.
- In 2026 Milan's tourist tax for short-stay apartments is €9.50 per person per night, up to 14 nights; under-18s are exempt.
- Every legal rental in Italy has a CIN code: look for it in the listing.
A short-stay apartment in Milan gives you more space and freedom than a hotel room. But Italian rentals come with a few rules and habits that surprise first-time visitors. Here are the five things worth knowing before you book.
1. You’ll be asked for your ID, and that’s normal
Italian law requires anyone hosting guests, hotel or apartment, to send each guest’s details to the police within hours of arrival. That’s why your host will ask for name, date of birth and ID document for everyone in your group, children included.
The easiest way is an online form before you travel. Be wary of hosts who ask you to send documents in a chat without explaining why.
2. There’s a tourist tax, paid on top
Milan charges a city tourist tax per person per night. In 2026, for apartments and B&Bs, it’s €9.50 per person per night, for a maximum of 14 nights. Under-18s are exempt.
It’s usually not included in the price you see on booking platforms: the host collects it separately, often online before arrival.
3. Check the CIN code
Since 2025 every short-term rental in Italy must have a CIN (Codice Identificativo Nazionale) and show it in listings and at the entrance. It’s a quick way to check that the property is registered and above board.
4. Check-in times and self check-in
Most apartments have check-in from mid-afternoon and check-out in the morning, because the place has to be cleaned between guests. Early check-in and late check-out are often possible on request, sometimes for a fee.
Self check-in lets you arrive at any time after the official check-in hour, without meeting anyone. Ask how many steps there are (gate, front door, apartment), whether there are videos and who to call if a code doesn’t work.
5. Plan how you’ll get around
Milan’s metro is fast, and since 2026 you can just tap a contactless card at the gates: €2.20 for 90 minutes. Driving is a different story: the centre is a charging zone (Area C), and parking is scarce and expensive. If you’re driving, look for an apartment with its own parking space.
Our guide to Milan public transport has all the details.
How it works at Teodorico Apartments Milano
At our apartment at Viale Teodorico 7, everything goes through your guest area, a personal page you receive after booking:
- you register your documents online in a few minutes, in English, Italian, French, German or Spanish;
- you pay the tourist tax and add extras such as parking (€15 per day) or a pet (€30 per stay);
- on arrival day, from 3 pm, you open the gate from your phone and follow the video instructions to get in.
Check-out is by 10 am, with late check-out until 12 noon on request (€20). Questions? Jakub, the host, replies on WhatsApp within minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the host need my passport or ID?
Italian law requires hosts to send every guest's details to the police within hours of arrival. It applies to hotels and apartments alike.
How much is the tourist tax at Teodorico Apartments Milano?
In 2026 it's €9.50 per adult per night, up to 14 nights. Under-18s and Milan residents are exempt. You pay it online from your guest area.
What is the CIN?
The Codice Identificativo Nazionale, a national ID code every short-term rental in Italy must display. It shows the property is registered.
