Sorting out accommodation is one of the bigger financial decisions for students heading to Italy. A room advertised at one price can look manageable at first, but then bills, internet and building charges start piling up.
According to Scenari Immobiliari’s Student Housing Observatory, funded student residences cost 20% less on average than renting a student room privately once those extra costs and services are included.
The study looked at more than 200 state-funded student residences and 10,000 beds. Its findings were reported by idealista.it/news on 10 September 2026.
- Student residences in Italy: monthly costs compared
- Renting a student room in Italy: the extra costs to factor in
- What comes with a PNRR-funded student residence
- Student housing costs in northern and central Italy
- How much of a student budget goes on housing in Italy
- Popular student cities in Italy and finding a shared flat
Student residences in Italy: monthly costs compared
The national average for a single room in a PNRR-funded student residence is €595 per month. This is an all-in price, rather than a basic room rate that leaves bills to sort out later.
(PNRR refers to Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan, which funds these student-housing projects)
Around 30% of beds are linked to Italy’s university right-to-study scheme, called diritto allo studio universitario or DSU. These places have an average fee of €250 per month.
Once that DSU share is included, the weighted national average works out at €490 per month, with services included.
Renting a student room in Italy: the extra costs to factor in
The national average rent for a single student room on the private market is €355 per month. That figure applies to used properties and covers the room itself, not the extras that come with everyday life in a flat. Newly built private accommodation costs more, with average rent at €475 per month.
Condominium charges, utilities and other costs add more than 30% of the rent, taking the estimated overall monthly cost to around €720 per month.
- That is 21% higher than the average €595 monthly fee for a PNRR-funded student residence.
What comes with a PNRR-funded student residence
Student residences supported by the PNRR generally include practical basics that are often separate costs in a private flat:
- Utilities
- Internet connection
- Maintenance
- Cleaning of communal areas
- Reception
- Study rooms
- Laundry facilities
- Management of shared spaces
Some residences also include additional services focused on student integration and wellbeing.
Student housing costs in northern and central Italy
Around 60% of the beds analysed are in north-west and north-east Italy.
In north-east Italy, private-market rents are 74% higher than the accommodation component of a full PNRR residence fee.
Compared with the DSU-weighted accommodation figure, they are 110% higher.
- In north-west Italy, private-market rents are 65% higher than the full PNRR accommodation component and 102% higher than the DSU-weighted rate.
- In central Italy, the differences are 65% compared with the full PNRR rate and 97% compared with the DSU-weighted figure.
How much of a student budget goes on housing in Italy
Accommodation makes up 38% of total monthly spending for students in PNRR-funded residences, according to the study.
For students renting privately, that share rises to 64%. The source lists food, transport, books, cultural activities and social life among the other costs students need to cover during the month.
Popular student cities in Italy and finding a shared flat
Students who prefer a shared flat and a bit more independence will find plenty of choice in Italy’s larger university cities, though private rents can come with a higher overall monthly cost once bills and building charges are added.
- Bologna has a large student population, with the best student areas ranging from central neighbourhoods close to university life to districts with a more residential feel.
- Rome has a wider spread of university campuses and neighbourhoods, so student areas can vary considerably in location and day-to-day atmosphere.
- In Florence, several neighbourhoods for students combine access to university life with the city’s compact historic centre.
A room in a shared flat can mean more control over where and how you live, but it is worth checking carefully what is included in the monthly price. Private listings may quote rent before utilities, internet, condominium charges and other household costs.
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