Useful information

Thanks to the moderating influence of the sea and the protection of the Alps from hilling Northern winds, Italy has a temperate climate.

However, the climate varies considerably from North to South: winters are very cold in the Alps but mild in the South or along the coast. Summer is very hot, especially in the South, and usually dry. Sea breezes mitigate the temperature along the coast while in the mountains the climate is pleasantly cool.

Due to its position, Milano experiences a humid climate with continental characteristics, with cold winters and hot and humid summers. In autumn and spring both sunny weather and rain alternate. Medium temperature during the year can range from 0°C in winter to 35°C in summer. Snowfalls are relatively common during winter and the city is often shrouded in heavy fog. As per the rains, there is a moderate amount of rainy days, even though the winter is relatively dry when compared with the other seasons.

Living costs and spending habits will differ considerably depending on your individual expectations and needs and, of course, on where you live, so it’s not easy to give advice that is suitable to everyone. First of all, you will need cash availability for travel, food and other expenses immediately upon arrival in Italy. Consider an amount of about €200-250 cash to cover immediate needs. Carefully plan how and when to exchange your currency to get the best exchange rate. It is not advisable to bring larger amounts of cash unless you’re sure you’ll need it.

Before your arrival, plan your budget as carefully as possible and try to figure out if you can meet all the expenses, even considering unexpected and emergency costs. Below is a list of possible future expenses you may face (these costs are approximate and should be used as a guide only).

Upon your arrival, you’ll need to buy a mobile phone SIM card, choosing between a prepaid or postpaid card. A wide range of traffic plans provided by Italian companies are available, so choose carefully and check the terms and conditions.

If not included in your mobile device, internet access is available in some cafés, malls, hotels, libraries or Politecnico residence halls, and in each Politecnico Campus. Many places offer free Wi-Fi access, so if you have a notebook, laptop or phone device, just ask the password for access or use it directly if a free open connection is available. Alternatively, you can buy an internet key – a USB device that plugs into your laptop. It’s not expensive (between € 10 and € 30 per month depending on the number of hours/traffic, plus the price of the key) and can be a good solution in the short-term. An open Wi-Fi service is provided by the Municipality of Milano: info.openwifimilano.it. You just have to register, log in and you’ll be allowed to surf for free on internet from several sites in the city area.

Most banks are open from Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm and from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm.

To open a bank account you must:

• be of legal age (at least 18);
• have a valid ID/passport;
• have a tax code (codice fiscale);
• not have been declared bankrupt.

After signing the contract, the bank will supply you with all the information related to the terms and conditions of service and the following bank coordinates, which are necessary in order to make an international wire transfer:

• IBAN, International Bank Account Number (also known as Clabe or Aba depending on your country), which is an alphanumeric code identifying your bank account (check char + national bank code + branch number + the account number);
• BIC, Bank Identifier Code/SWIFT, which is necessary to send money worldwide.

Before being able to make any transaction, it is necessary to make an initial deposit on your bank account. Traveller’s checks, checks and foreign currency can be exchanged at banks, exchange offices, railway stations and/or airports.

Banca Popolare di Sondrio is the official bank of Politecnico di Milano.
It offers students of Politecnico di Milano the possibility to open a bank account at very good conditions.

Banca Popolare di Sondrio (branch no. 21)
in Via Edoardo Bonardi 4, Leonardo Campus
Opening hours: from Monday to Friday, 8:30 am - 13:30 pm and 2:45 pm - 3:45 pm.
Phone: +39 02 266 0071

Banca Popolare di Sondrio (branch no. 5)
in Via degli Imbriani 54, Bovisa Campus
Opening hours: from Monday to Friday, 8:30 am - 13:30 pm and 2:45 pm - 4:15 pm.
Phone: +39 02 3932 841

Useful telephone numbers

Mail service

"Poste Italiane" is the national mail service. Offices are open from 8 am to 1.35 pm but many, especially in Milano, are open until 7.05 pm. Stamps can be bought not only in post offices, but also at tobacconists and bars displaying a “T” sign. Some services, such as registered mail, are offered only by post offices. Apart from traditional mail services, "Poste Italiane" also offers banking services such as checking accounts and pre-paid credit cards. Please check www.posteitaliane.it for more details about all services offered, office location and timetables.

Phone services

All phone services are provided by different companies which offer various services and rates depending on the time of the day, the type of call etc.

Most houses have a fixed telephone line but mobile phones are extremely popular. Mobile phone services are offered by different companies at various rates. All companies have the possibility to activate prepaid cards (the cheapest possibility) or contracts.

To sign up with one of the companies you need:

• A valid ID card or passport
• Your codice fiscale

It usually takes a few hours to activate your card.

Visit this useful guide for tips on renting a place.