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Milan has officially announced a citywide ban on self-check-in key boxes used for tourist accommodations, set to take effect in January 2026. The municipal authorities in Italy’s financial capital have issued a directive requiring all short-term rental property owners to remove key lock boxes from public spaces, building facades, railings, street fixtures, and other elements that overlook public areas. Those failing to comply with the new regulations will face substantial penalties of up to €400 ($468), as well as potential additional costs for the removal of non-compliant devices by city officials.
This decision follows similar measures implemented in other major Italian tourist destinations, including Florence, which enacted comparable restrictions earlier in 2025. It signals a growing trend across Italian cities to reclaim public spaces and address security concerns associated with anonymous check-ins.
Why Milan Banned Key Boxes
City officials have cited multiple reasons for implementing this ban. Critics describe metal key safes and coded boxes as unsightly “eyesores” that detract from the historic city’s aesthetic appeal. More importantly, these devices “raise significant security concerns” due to the lack of face-to-face interaction and proper guest identification during check-in, according to Time Out.
Milan city councillor Michele Albiani explained the rationale in a statement reported by Reuters, stating: “Self-check-ins by guests leads to the improper use of public space for the benefit of private individuals. Furthermore, the uncontrolled proliferation of lockboxes may cause inconvenience for residents.”
The ban specifically targets the visible hardware that allows guests to retrieve physical keys without any real-time identity verification, which Italian authorities now consider non-compliant with national regulations requiring visual identification of guests.
Implementation Timeline And Penalties
Starting January 2026, Milan municipal officers will be tasked with identifying and cataloging non-compliant boxes throughout the city. The ban applies across the entire municipality, not just in the historic center. Hosts who continue using external key boxes after the deadline face fines reportedly ranging from €100 ($117) to €400 ($468), plus the cost of having the city remove the devices if owners fail to do so voluntarily.
It’s worth noting that the ban does not prohibit short-term rentals themselves, nor does it outlaw all forms of automated access. Internal key safes located on private property and digital access systems that comply with identification requirements may still be permitted, provided they don’t occupy public space and comply with building regulations.
How The Milan Key Box Ban Affects Airbnb Hosts And Tourists
The ban will change how both tourists and hosts manage short-term rentals in Milan. Travelers can expect either in-person meetings with hosts or property managers or processes that use live visual verification, such as video calls, before receiving digital access codes. For hosts, this means an end to easy, automated check-in methods and increased management and oversight.
Some hosts may reconsider whether to continue offering short-term rentals amid these new challenges, potentially leading to a shift toward long-term rentals. The timing of this regulation is notable as it comes just ahead of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games, which will take place in February 2026.
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