Student housing crisis in Italy: Shared housing as a solution to high rents in 2026

Finding student housing in Italy has never been a simple task, but in 2026, the search has become a true obstacle course. The phenomenon of caro affitti (high rent costs) is hitting major university cities across the peninsula hard. Faced with skyrocketing prices and dwindling supply, students who live away from home and their families are left feeling helpless. At Roomlala, we have analyzed this unprecedented crisis to help you navigate it. Most importantly, we guide you toward the safest and most economical alternatives: shared housing and homestays.

Understanding the scale of caro affitti in Italy in 2026

Rents reaching historic highs

In 2026, the Italian rental market is experiencing extreme turbulence, particularly in student hubs. General inflation has had a snowball effect on rents, but it is primarily the imbalance between supply and demand that is driving the trend. Students leaving their home regions to pursue their studies are hitting a financial wall as soon as they start their search.

The figures speak for themselves and are dizzying. According to recent data, the average price of a single room has broken every record. You now have to pay approximately 729 euros per month in Milan, 625 euros in Florence, and 609 euros in Rome. These amounts represent staggering increases of up to 59% since 2020. Take the example of Luca, a master's student at the University of Milan: his housing budget alone consumes almost all his savings and family support, forcing him to work two part-time jobs.

How can we explain such a surge? A major factor is the uncontrolled proliferation of short-term tourist rentals. In cities with exceptional heritage like Rome or Florence, many owners prefer renting to passing tourists rather than to students on a long-term basis. This dynamic drastically reduces the supply of long-term student housing and fuels aggressive real estate speculation.

The psychological and social consequences of this caro affitti are palpable. Many talented young people are giving up on their first-choice universities because they cannot afford to live there. This is where looking for alternatives becomes not just an option, but an absolute necessity to preserve equal opportunity in access to higher education in Italy.

An largely insufficient institutional supply

Faced with this private market crisis, one might hope that the public sector would step in. Unfortunately, Italy suffers from a structural and historical lack of institutional student housing. Currently, public or subsidized university residences only cover about 4% of the total student population, with a stock that peaks at nearly 96,000 beds across the country.

This glaring deficit forces the overwhelming majority of students to turn to a private market that is already saturated and overpriced. Aware of the urgency, the government has attempted to react. Through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and with the support of the Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, a massive fund of 599 million euros was launched. The stated objective is ambitious: to create 60,000 additional beds by 2027.

However, there remains a massive gap between political announcements and the reality on the ground. Administrative delays, complex bidding processes, and slow construction timelines are significantly hindering this plan in 2026. These government promises are not enough to relieve the immediate pressure on housing demand for the current university academic year.

Consequently, students and their families cannot afford to wait for the completion of these new facilities. They must find concrete solutions that can be activated immediately. It is in this context of institutional shortage that matching platforms for shared housing take on their full significance, offering a much-needed breath of fresh air.

Financial aid and legal levers for students living away from home

Fortunately, it is not all bleak for students living away from their home city. The Italian state offers tax relief mechanisms to help families manage the burden of rent. At Roomlala, we want you to know your rights to help you optimize your monthly budget.

In 2026, the flagship measure remains the 19% IRPEF tax deduction on rental costs. This aid is specifically designed for student tenants. However, it is capped at a maximum amount of 2,633 euros per year. To qualify, a strict geographic condition applies: the university must be located more than 100 kilometers from the student's habitual place of residence, or in a different province.

Let's look at a concrete use case. Imagine Matteo, originally from Bari in Puglia, who moves to study at Sapienza University of Rome. Since the distance between the two cities is well over 100 kilometers, Matteo's parents will be able to deduct 19% of his annual rent when filing their tax return. This allows them to recover up to approximately 500 euros, a non-negligible sum to help cope with the cost of living in Rome.

Be careful, however: to benefit from this deduction, it is mandatory that the lease agreement be duly registered with the Agenzia delle Entrate (the Italian tax authority). This is why we always advise you to steer clear of off-the-books work (affitto in nero), which, in addition to being illegal, deprives you of these essential tax benefits and any legal protection in the event of a dispute with your landlord.

Shared housing and homestays: the real anti-crisis solutions

Why choose a homestay?

Faced with rising traditional rents, a homestay stands out as one of the most viable and intelligent economic alternatives in 2026. The principle is simple: a landlord rents out an unoccupied room in their primary residence to a student. Rents are generally much lower than those of the individual studio market.

Beyond the purely financial advantage, it is a deeply human solution. For a young person living away from home who arrives in an unknown city, living with a local makes integration much easier. The host can share their tips, advise on neighborhoods to avoid, and offer a safe and welcoming living environment, far from the loneliness one might sometimes feel in a small studio.

Let's illustrate this with the example of Sofia, an architecture student in Florence. Faced with single rooms costing over 625 euros, she chose to rent a room from Maria, a Florentine retiree, for a much more affordable rate. In exchange for some moments of conviviality and a caring presence, Sofia saves thousands of euros over her university year while enjoying a large, comfortable apartment.

Furthermore, this type of housing offers great contractual flexibility. In Italy, it is common to use a transitory contract (contratto transitorio) that is perfectly suited to the length of the university year. At Roomlala, we facilitate this connection between hosts looking to supplement their income and students in search of affordable housing.

Student shared housing, a reinvented classic

The other major pillar to counter the caro affitti is, of course, shared housing. While it has always existed, it is seeing an unprecedented resurgence in 2026. Sharing a large apartment with others allows you to drastically divide not only the rent but also all incompressible expenses: electricity, gas, internet, and sometimes even groceries thanks to buying in bulk.

Shared housing is also a human adventure that forges lasting friendships. It is the creation of a micro-society of mutual aid where one shares doubts during exam periods, meals, and moments of relaxation. It is a true psychological safety net for students far from their families.

For shared housing to be a success, a few golden rules are essential. Here are our best tips:

• Establish a living agreement: Agree from the very first day on cleaning rules, quiet hours, and how to handle guests.
• Use expense-sharing apps: No more arguments over who paid the electricity bill. Digital tools allow you to manage the communal pot with complete transparency.
• Prioritize clear contracts: Make sure you fully understand the clauses of your lease, especially regarding replacing a housemate who is moving out.

Take the case of a large apartment in the student neighborhood of Città Studi in Milan. Rented alone, it would be overpriced. Divided between three students, the cost comes to a rate significantly lower than the average of 729 euros for a single room, while offering a very pleasant shared living space (living room, large kitchen).

Avoiding scams: Roomlala, your trusted partner

The high rental tension characterizing 2026 unfortunately has a perverse effect: the multiplication of fraud and scams. On social media or unmoderated classified ad sites, fake landlords abound. They take advantage of the desperation of students to demand exorbitant security deposits or advance payments via untraceable transfers for housing that, in reality, does not exist or is already occupied.

At Roomlala, we are fully aware of this scourge. This is why we have built our platform on a fundamental principle: the absolute security of our users. We position ourselves as a true trusted third party between the tenant and the host. All profiles registered on our site are thoroughly verified to guarantee that you are dealing with real and serious people.

Our secure payment system is your best shield against scams. Practically speaking, how does it work? When you book a room or shared housing on Roomlala, you pay online via our encrypted platform. We block and hold this sum securely. The landlord is only paid 48 hours after your physical arrival on the premises. If the housing does not match the listing or if you encounter any problem when receiving the keys, we block the transfer and refund you.

Ultimately, the student housing crisis in Italy is a complex reality, but it is not inevitable. By turning to supportive solutions like shared housing or homestays, and by relying on a secure platform like Roomlala, you can approach the start of your university year with peace of mind. Focus on the success of your studies; we will take care of securing your roof.