Authorities in Milan have declared war on a symbol of the modern tourist economy, ordering the removal of self-check-in keyboxes from the city's streets. The move forms part of a direct crackdown on the pressures of overtourism.
Fines and Enforcement from January
The city council announced that, starting from January, property owners who fail to remove the lockboxes from public areas will face fines of up to 400 euros (approximately $466). This places Milan alongside Florence, which introduced a similar prohibition earlier in 2025.
City councillor Michele Albiani spearheaded the directive, arguing that the devices facilitate the "improper use of public space for the benefit of private individuals." He further warned that their "uncontrolled proliferation" causes significant inconvenience for local residents.
Security and Aesthetic Concerns Drive Ban
While the keyboxes offer convenience for hosts and guests of short-term rentals—often listed on platforms like Airbnb—by bypassing face-to-face check-ins, they have become a flashpoint. Critics label them an eyesore cluttering the city's historic facades and raise substantial security concerns due to the lack of personal verification upon arrival.
The policy emerges amidst a summer of Europe-wide protests against overtourism, with popular destinations grappling with overcrowding and soaring rental prices that push out long-term residents.
Broader Political Battle Over Short-Term Lets
The ban intersects with a heated national debate on housing and tourism. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing coalition recently abandoned plans to remove a tax break for short-term rentals, a measure originally intended to incentivise landlords to offer properties to locals instead of tourists.
The short-term rental industry has fiercely pushed back against being blamed for overtourism. Theo Yedinsky, Airbnb's vice-president for public policy, accused the hotel sector of being the real driver of overcrowding. He claimed his company was a victim of "scapegoating" by city authorities, particularly following anti-tourism protests in cities like Barcelona.
"We end up getting a lot of the blame, especially in city centres [but] the reality is overtourism is really driven by the hotels," Yedinsky told the Financial Times, calling the criticism "totally unfair."
Milan's decisive action signals a growing preference for direct regulatory intervention over tax incentives, as European cities seek tangible tools to reclaim public space and manage the impact of mass tourism.
