The Milan city tax
How much it costs, who pays, who is exempt and how it is collected in Milan short-term rentals. Explained plainly.
2 min readUpdated September 5, 2026
It is the line that always surprises visitors from abroad: at the end of the stay there is an extra amount that was not in the nightly price. It is not a trick by the host, it is a municipal tax, and it works this way in almost every Italian city.
How much
In our apartments the city tax is 9.50 euro per person per night, up to a maximum of fourteen consecutive nights. From the fifteenth night onward it stops.
We do not set the amount: the City of Milan does, based on the category of accommodation, and the host collects it and passes it on. For a three-night stay for two people that is fifty-seven euro; it is worth factoring in when comparing places.
How it is paid
In our case it is paid separately from the booking, through a payment link sent before or during the stay. It is settled once, and you keep the receipt.
If you booked through Airbnb or Booking, check carefully: some platforms collect it on the host's behalf and some do not, in which case you pay it locally. If you are unsure, ask before you arrive — it is the question we get most often.
Who is exempt
The municipal rules provide for some exemptions. The most common concern children below a certain age and particular situations, for example people accompanying a patient admitted to a city hospital.
Exemptions are not automatic: they must be declared and documented before payment. If you think one applies to you, flag it when booking rather than afterwards.
Why it exists
The city tax funds services the city provides to everyone, including people staying a few days: transport, cleaning, maintenance, culture. Milan collects a significant amount, especially during trade fair weeks.
Debating the level is fair enough, but it is a transparent tax: the amount is public, the collection is tracked, and the host who collects it keeps none of it.
In practice, before you travel
- Work out €9.50 × guests × nights, capped at fourteen nights, and put it in the budget.
- Check whether the platform you booked on already collects it.
- If you qualify for an exemption, declare it in advance.
- Keep the receipt: you will need it if you are travelling for work and have to expense the stay.
Frequently asked questions
- How much is the city tax in Milan?
- In our apartments it is 9.50 euro per person per night, for a maximum of fourteen consecutive nights. The amount depends on the category of accommodation and is set by the City of Milan.
- Is the city tax included in the booking price?
- No. It is a municipal tax paid separately from the nightly rate, calculated on the number of guests and nights.
- Who is exempt from the Milan city tax?
- Generally children below a certain age and some specific categories set out in the municipal rules, such as people accompanying a hospital patient. Exemptions must be documented.
