Expat Guide to Living in Milan

Milan is Italy's most internationally minded city and the most natural entry point for expats arriving to work in the country. The fashion, finance, design, and manufacturing industries create significant international employment, and the city has a well-developed expat community supported by international schools, English-language services, and a professional network that is more internationally connected than any other Italian city. The Navigli and Isola neighbourhoods are popular with younger expats and creatives; Brera and the centre attract established professionals; and the eastern suburbs of Lambrate and the Porta Vittoria area offer better value for families. Italy's bureaucratic system for residence permits and tax registration is complex — a good commercialista (accountant) and patronato (social services navigator) are essential early investments.