Milan, the capital of the Lombardy region and the second largest city in Italy, through its City has banned self - check in key boxes for short - term rentals, effective early 2026, requiring hosts to meet guests in person.
This initiative is part of a broader national and city level effort in the country to address overtourism, ensure public safety, regulate the short – term rental market and to stop improper use of public space.
Milan is not the first Italian city to implement such a measure; Bologna, Florence, Rome, and Venice have introduced similar bans in a nationwide directive for in - person guest checks, trying to put a stop to the lack of control of tourist rental and with fines that will range from €100 to €400 for non - compliance.
In these cities, this measure of the keys was already being applied. But, apart from criticisms and proclamations, in general little else is being done to limit the expansion of this phenomenon, massive throughout Italy. Key boxes are often seen as unsightly and contributing to the “decorum” issues of historic city centres. Owners can perfectly well leave the keys in the ubiquitous mailboxes for parcel delivery, which Amazon and countless other platforms use.
Until a year ago, homeowners did not have to see the tenant and could only have doigital contact. Not now, national law requires that there be face - face contact, and the size of the boxes adds more need for the presence of the owner or a representative when the customer arrives. Italy had banned registration for apartment rentals on these platforms at the end of 2024, for security reasons, now requiring the landlord to physically see tenants.
The National Interior Ministry has mandated in person guest identification to prevent the accommodation of potentially dangerous individuals or those linked to criminal organizations. Self - check - in via key boxes makes it harder to track guests effectively.
Why Milan
City Council Implemented the Ban :
· Security Concerns: To prevent illegal activities like drug dealing and the housing of dangerous individuals, linked to the lack of face – to face guest identification.
· Overtourism and Public Space: The proliferation of boxes on street furniture is seen as an eyesore and an improper use of public land for private gain, impacting residents.
· Accountability: Ensures hosts can verify guest identities, a practice emphasized by the Italian Interior Ministry.
· Key Details of the Milan Ban:
· Scope: The ban specifically target key boxes, lockboxes, and similar devices installed on street furniture, road signs, fences, gates, light poles or other structures on public land.
· Deadline: The ban on key boxes in public spaces takes effect in January 2026. Property owners have been given a grace period to comply.
· Penalties: Homeowners who do not comply with the new rules face fines ranging from €100 to €400, in addition to covering the costs incurred by the municipality for removing the non – compliance boxes.
· In - Person Check - in: Mandates hosts to verify guest identities visual.
TThe outlook for short – term rental operators relying on physical key boxes in public spaces will need to transition to alternative methods. This includes meeting guests in person or adopting modern, secure digital or smart technologies that comply with identity verification laws.
AiAirbnb has commented that while it supports a flexible check - in experience, it looks forward to working with the Italian government on solutions that meet safety needs.
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