Milan : Formalities and administrative procedures
Milan : Organize your stay
Money Milan
Italy was one of the first European Union countries to switch to the euro.
Budget & Tips Milan
A stay in Milan can be expensive, especially if you're planning a trip to the lakes. It won't be the meals that weigh down your travel budget (you can always find good food at reasonable prices), but rather the accommodation, which in the capital of Lombardy can quickly reach very high sums. At a hotel or bed & breakfast (B&B or agriturismo), the price for a double room hardly goes below €80, especially if your stay takes place during the week of the International Furniture Fair (mid-April) or during the fashion show weeks (early February and early September): it will then be difficult to find accommodation for less than €200 a night! It's not customary to haggle in accommodation or stores, but the longer you stay in the same establishment, the more likely you are to receive a discount.
Here's an idea of average prices:
Double room: - 2-star: between €80 and €160 - 3-star: between €100 and €250 - 4-star: between €250 and €500 - 5-star: from €300.
Catering. Between €3 and €5 for a panino - between €1.50 and €3 for a bottle of water - between €8 and €11 for a pizza and €17 for a set-price menu (VAT included) - between €25 and €40 in a typical medium restaurant - over €40 in a good restaurant. In cafés, if you sit down at a table, prices rise by at least 20% (you may be charged for setting the table).
Museums and sites. Between €5 and €10 for a public museum, €10 and €18 for a private one.
Transport. 2.20 € for a bus or metro ticket in Milan.
Passport and visas Milan
EU and Swiss citizens. For stays of less than 3 months: valid identity card or passport.
Canadian citizens. For stays of less than 3 months: valid passport. No visa required.
For stays over 3 months, apply for a visa at the nearest Italian embassy or consulate, or try to obtain one locally from the Questura.
Driver's license Milan
To rent a car, as in France, you'll need a "B" driving license. The same applies to scooter rentals, and please note that helmets are compulsory!
Health Milan
EU nationals are entitled to reimbursement if they have a European Health Insurance Card. For more information: www.ameli.fr. Be sure to keep all invoices to ensure reimbursement on your return. Please note! The card is not valid for treatment in private establishments, of which there are many in Italy.
Mandatory vaccination Milan
Until now, no special vaccinations were required to enter Italy.
Security Milan
As a general rule, living conditions in Milan and other Lombardy cities are on a par with those in Europe's largest cities. As in any large city, there are some neighborhoods that are more dangerous than others, and there is always a risk of running into a pickpocket. The rules are the same as anywhere else: don't leave your belongings (wallet, cell phone, etc.) lying around on the tables of a café or restaurant, let alone on a terrace. Although Milan and the Lombardy region are generally safe cities, if you're traveling alone, be careful. In the evening, on Trenord trains that run throughout Lombardy, a voice recording advises solo travelers to sit in the first carriage, where the conductor is also present. Also, avoid leaving your luggage unattended in any means of transport.
Time difference Milan
No time difference between France, Belgium, Switzerland and Italy.
Spoken languages Milan
Italian, of course. And don't forget that in Lombardy, as in other Italian regions, the dialect is still very much alive. So don't be surprised if a Milanese says sorry after jostling you: Lombard and French have a few similar words! And while in an international city like Milan, Milanese may be lost a little more than elsewhere, the accent is still very much present.
Electricity and measurements Milan
Italians also use the metric system and speak in volts. Please note! In some establishments, you may still find L-type sockets (in France, we use F and C sockets). In this case, you'll need an adapter, which you can easily find in any retail outlet.
Luggage Milan
Depending on the season: sweaters and umbrellas in autumn and winter, and hats, sunscreen and mosquito repellent in summer! The latter is essential in the vicinity of rice fields , particularly in the province of Pavia. Good shoes for walking around town, and certainly one or two outfits for going out in the evening.
Milan : Daily life
Hello? Milan
From Italy to France and other French-speaking countries. Dial +33 followed by your correspondent's number without the leading 0. To Belgium +32 and the correspondent's number; to Luxembourg +352; to Switzerland +41; to Canada 00+1 + province number + correspondent's number.
From France to Italy. Dial +39 followed by your correspondent's number, including 0, followed by the full city code.
From Italy to Italy. To call a landline: city code always preceded by a zero (e.g. 02 for Milan + correspondent's number). To call a cell phone: cell code always preceded by zero (e.g.: 0339 + correspondent's no.).
Accessibility Milan
Good news for strollers and the mobility-impaired: in Milan, in the heart of the Po Valley, there are no hills, and the city is as flat as a pancake. On the other hand, many streets are covered with large cobblestones, which are often poorly laid out... As far as public transport is concerned, most of Milan's metro stations are equipped with elevators.
Health Milan
No particular health risks in Milan. Tap water is drinkable, but Italians often prefer bottled water. In the event of serious health problems, consult the French consulate, which will accompany you and provide you with a list of French-speaking doctors.
Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano. Via F. Sforza, 35. 02 55031, M. Crocetta or Missori. 10 minutes south of the Duomo, the city's largest medical center.
Pharmacy on call. There are always several pharmacies on call in each district. You'll be sure to find the one at Stazione Centrale station always open. M. Centrale FS. Every day from 8am to 9pm.
Emergency numbers Milan
Police. 113
Gendarmerie (carabinieri). 112
Fire department (Vigili del Fuoco). 115
Medical emergencies (Croce Rossa Italiana). 118
Roadside assistance. 803 803
Automobile Club Italia (ACI), roadside assistance. 116
Securty Milan
In the event of theft, go to the nearest police station(polizia) or gendarmerie station(carabinieri) so that a report can be drawn up. This will then be used for insurance purposes. Only contact the consulate if your identity papers have been lost or stolen.
Otherwise, the usual precautions apply: never leave your personal belongings unattended. In your vehicle, never leave anything in plain view.
LGBTQ Milan
In Milan, you'll find several LGBTQ+ venues, in the Porta Venezia or NoLo districts for example. Like all major Italian cities, Milan also hosts an annual Pride March, in which many associations fighting for LGBTQ+ rights take part. From a national perspective, it's important to point out that same-sex couples have no access to marriage or adoption in Italy.
Embassies and consulates Milan
Consulate General of France. Via Mangili, 1 (corner via Turati), M3 Turati. +39 02 655 9141. it.ambafrance.org. By appointment only.
Swiss Consulate. Via Palestro, 2. M3 Turati. +39 02 777 91 61. www.eda.admin.ch. In the same building as the Swiss Cultural Center.
Belgian Consulate. Honorary consulate only. +39 02 8995 97 62. italy.diplomatie.belgium.be.
Mail Milan
To send a letter to a European country, you'll need a Postamail Internazionale stamp at €1.30. The delivery time should not exceed 5 days. Stamps are on sale at tobacconists (distinguished by a large T sign) or post offices. Letterboxes are red in color and scattered throughout the city.
Central Post Office. Via Cordusio, 4. +39 02 72 48 25 08. Open 8:30am to 7pm, Saturday 8:30am to 12:30pm. www.poste.it.
Local media Milan
www.museionline.info. An essential site for visiting all the museums in Italy, listed by category: art, history, archaeology, natural history and more. Prices, opening times and websites are given for each museum. Current temporary exhibitions are also listed.
www.yesmilano.it. Official site promoting tourism in Milan and its province.
www.italia.it. Official site for tourism in Italy.
