New law could make holidays in Europe trickier for tourists
Milan has become the latest city to target key safes and short-term rentals.
The Italian city has announced a ban on the self check-in devices, with fines of €400 or just over $700.
The key safes, which are also called a lock-box, are used by holidaymakers to access short-term rentals without disturbing the owners.
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Lock boxes are an easy way for guests to check in. Getty
But the huge number of devices has been labelled an eyesore, with some officials claiming they are also being used in drug deals.
"Apart from the urban design aspect, the uncontrolled proliferation of key boxes poses security risks and can lead to inconvenience for local residents," the local council said, as reported by Blue News.
Milan isn't the first Italian city to crack down on key safes, as Florence also has a ban.
Italy recently made it mandatory that owners must meet holidaymakers even for short-term rentals. But as yet there is no official countrywide ban on key safes.
The new regulation will begin in January 2026.
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Milan will host the Olympics early next year. Getty Images/iStockphoto
On its website, Airbnb offers owners tips on key safes and smart locks.
"Self check-in is one of the top 10 amenities on Airbnb. Guests often filter their search results for places that offer it. Adding a check-in method like a smart lock can help your listing stand out.
"Offering guests a simple way to let themselves in can also save you time, make arrivals smoother and lead to better reviews."
The news comes just ahead of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games, which will take place in February.
Milan will host the Opening Ceremony at San Siro Stadium before events take place in venues across the city and the slopes of Cortina.
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Cities across Europe are grappling with overtourism. Getty
Italy has been grappling with over tourism for a number of years in popular cities like Venice, Rome, and Florence.
There have been a range of measures introduced, such as tourist taxes, restricted access, and crowd-control rules.
Protests in cities like Barcelona have seen locals clash with tourists, while travel hotspots including Venice have introduced new rules and taxes for visitors.
Earlier this year, Hawaii introduced a "Green Fee", that will be added on to hotel room stays. The proceeds go toward environmental protection and addressing the impacts of climate change.
