Life in Milan and Life on Campus

PhD students can choose from a range of on- and off-campus housing options.

University Residences

Bocconi offers accommodation in seven residence halls.

Applications are typically available starting from:

• late March for reduced rate housing 
• May for full rate housing
• June for residual assignments, with rolling sessions based on availability

Students may apply for either reduced or full rate housing (not both). Full details are available in the Housing section of the Bocconi website.

Other Accommodation in Milan

For housing not managed by Bocconi, visit the Other Accommodation Opportunities in Milan page, which includes external residences and useful house-hunting resources. 

All international students must have valid health insurance. In Italy, healthcare is provided by the National Health Service (SSN - Servizio Sanitario Nazionale), which students can access through various options.

In case of emergency, call 112 or go to the nearest Emergency Room (Pronto Soccorso).

Registering with the SSN is strongly recommended, as it provides the same benefits as Italian citizens, including:

• free access to a general practitioner (GP) and specialist referrals
• free or subsidized hospital care
• out-of-hours medical service (guardia medica)
• reduced fees for tests and exams
• exemptions for chronic conditions 

EU Students
For stays under six months, medically necessary care is covered with a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
For longer stays, students can use an S1 form from your home country or enroll in the SSN (€700/year) to receive full healthcare benefits. 

Non-EU Students
Non-EU students can access the SSN by enrolling voluntarily (€700/year), which must be renewed annually with the residence permit. Further details on procedures and requirements are available on YesMilano.

Students who do not enroll in the SSN should obtain private health insurance.

On-Campus Medical Center

Bocconi provides a medical center on campus (Piazza Sraffa 11). See the website for details. 

Health Services Information
Information on emergency rooms, medical services, and night pharmacies is available here.

In Italy, anyone aged 18 or older can open a bank account, regardless of citizenship. Even without official residency in Milan, you can still open one to receive your salary and access debit and online payment cards.

To learn more about opening an Italian bank account, click here.

The Fiscal Code (Codice Fiscale) is a personal identification number used in Italy for tax, healthcare and administrative purposes.

The code shown in the admissions portal is automatically generated and not valid for official use. To obtain an official Fiscal Code, you must request it from the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle entrate). You can apply by visiting a local office of the Agency.

Alternatively, Bocconi University offers a dedicated procedure through a special agreement with the Revenue Agency. Follow the instructions in the email sent in July by Student Outreach and Support to complete the request.

To learn more about obtaining the fiscal code, click here.

You can easily obtain an Italian mobile number by visiting any mobile operator store in the city (such as Vodafone, TIM, WindTre, or PosteMobile) and requesting a SIM card. You can choose between a prepaid (rechargeable) SIM or, if eligible, a monthly subscription plan.

For more information, click here.

Milan offers an extensive public transportation network managed by Azienda Trasporti Milanesi (ATM), including metro lines, suburban railways (Passante Ferroviario), and around 140 tram and bus routes connecting the city to surrounding areas.

The metro typically runs from 5:30am to 12:30am daily. Night buses and replacement services operate overnight, while most trams and buses start earlier and finish later than the metro. Lines 90 and 91 run 24/7.

Some tram lines, such as Tram 1 — which passes through much of the city center and near the Central Station — still use historic vehicles from the 1920s, rendering the ride both a practical and unique experience. Ten of these vintage trams were even shipped to the US and now operate on San Francisco’s F-line.

 

Visit the official ATM website for routes, timetables and specific stops. Refer to the Integrated Fare System of the Mobility Basin (STIBM) for ticket prices and fare zones.

Milan also offers a public bike-sharing service called bikeMi. To learn more and sign up, click here.

The Bocconi campus is easily accessible by public transport, taxi or car.

From Linate Airport   
Taxi: Approximately 20 minutes 
Public transport: Take metro line M4 (blue) heading towards San Cristoforo and get off at Santa Sofia, then take tram 15 heading towards Rozzano and get off at Porta Ludovica. Alternatively, take bus 73 heading towards San Babila and get off at Cinque Giornate. Then take tram 9 heading towards Porta Genova and get off at Porta Ludovica. 

From Malpensa Airport   
Taxi: Approximately 50 minutes 
Malpensa Express (train) + metro + tram: Take the Malpensa Express to Milano Cadorna station, then metro line M2 (green) heading towards Abbiategrasso or Assago Milanofiori Forum and get off at Porta Genova. Then take tram 9 heading towards Centrale FS and get off at Porta Ludovica.
Malpensa Shuttle (bus) + metro + tram: Take the Malpensa Shuttle to Stazione Centrale, then metro line M3 (yellow) heading towards San Donato and get off at Porta Romana. Then take tram 9 heading towards Porta Genova and get off at Porta Ludovica.

From Orio al Serio (Bergamo) Airport
See the Orio al Serio website for transport options.

From Central Railway Station (Stazione Centrale)  
Taxi: Approximately 20 minutes
Public transport: Take metro line M3 (yellow) heading towards San Donato and get off at Porta Romana. Then take tram 9 heading towards Porta Genova and get off at Porta Ludovica.

From Cadorna or Garibaldi Stations
Public transport: Take metro line M2 (green) heading towards Abbiategrasso or Assago Milanofiori Forum and get off at Porta Genova. Then take tram 9 heading towards Centrale FS and get off at Porta Ludovica.

By Car
From Tangenziale Ovest, take the A7 Milano-Genova/Viale Liguria exit toward the city center. Turn right at Piazza Belfanti, continue on Viale Liguria and Viale Tibaldi, turn left on Via Castelbarco, then right on Via Sarfatti.

Additional Information

Taxis are available 24/7 at airports and major train stations. They can use reserved lanes, often making them the fastest option. 

You can also book a taxi via Bocconi reception, or call directly: +39 02 4040 or +39 02 8585.

Public Transport Tickets

• Single Ticket: €2.20 (valid 90 minutes, Mi1–Mi3 zones)
• Daily Pass: €7.60 (24 hours)
• 3-day Pass: €15.50
• 10-ride Carnet: €19.50 (non-transferable tickets)

Tickets can be purchased at metro stations, authorized retailers, and via the ATM app. Contactless payment is accepted as well. For more details, visit the ATM website.

Overview

Explore Bocconi’s campus, including its academic buildings, study spaces, residences and services designed to support student life and research.

Virtual Campus Tour 

Take an interactive 360° tour to discover Bocconi’s facilities and spaces remotely, and get a feel for campus life before you arrive.

PhD student offices, located in the Via Roentgen (Grafton) Building, can be accessed during opening hours (available here).

Classes take place across various campus buildings (see the classroom list), while the Bocconi Library provides study and reading spaces, often open until midnight and on weekends. Check the website for updated hours.

An additional study room is available at Via Gobbi 1 (basement, next to the S. Ferdinando church), typically open daily from 8:00am to 2:00pm. 

The Bocconi Language Center develops and coordinates foreign languages courses at Bocconi.

In addition to language courses, it offers Supplementary Activities to Bocconi community members to support their learning progress.

Via Roentgen Building

GUD Milano Bocconi (ground floor)
-Open Monday to Friday for breakfast, lunch and happy hour

Via Sarfatti 25 (Main Building)

Bar Paninoteca Fast Food (floor -1)
-Open Monday to Friday for breakfast and lunch offering pizza, panini, pasta, snacks and more

Pensionato Building

Self-service Canteen (Via Bocconi 12, floor -1)
-Open Monday to Saturday, 11:45am–2:30pm and 7:00pm–8:30pm (closed Sundays, holidays and during academic breaks)

• A full meal (first course, second course with side dish, bread, and fruit or drink) costs approximately €8.50
• Meals are available at a reduced rate for students who meet the economic criteria defined in the “ISU Bocconi Application Requirements and Regulations.” A provisional version of this call is published each year around June or July on the ISU Bocconi webpage
• Applications for the preferential-rate canteen service must be submitted within the deadlines indicated on this page. The benefit must be renewed annually, as eligibility is subject to periodic verification of economic circumstances. Since timelines may vary, students should refer to the relevant office for the most up-to-date information
• Additionally, there are numerous snack-bars, cafes and restaurants located near the University.