Millions visit Milan every year for fashion, food, and culture-but behind the glossy facades of Brera and the Duomo’s marble, a quieter industry thrives: escort services. It’s not what you see in the movies. No glamorous limos, no whispered promises in penthouses. It’s real people, real transactions, and a market shifting fast under new laws, digital tools, and changing social norms. If you’re wondering what’s next for escort services in Milan, the answer isn’t about secrecy anymore-it’s about survival, adaptation, and legality.
It’s Not What It Used to Be
Ten years ago, escorting in Milan was mostly about flyers on street corners, phone calls to unlisted numbers, and meetups in hotel lobbies. Clients found workers through word-of-mouth or forums like Reddit threads that got shut down fast. Today, it’s all apps. Platforms like Tinder, Instagram, and niche sites like EscortList or The Erotic Network have replaced the old ways. Workers build profiles, post photos, set rates, and screen clients before ever meeting. The industry moved online because it had to-police crackdowns made street-based work too risky, and clients wanted more control, safety, and transparency.That shift changed who’s working. In the past, many were women from Eastern Europe or North Africa with limited options. Now, you’ll find university students, freelancers, artists, and even women with full-time jobs who do this part-time. One worker I spoke with, who asked to remain anonymous, said she uses her photography skills to create her own content and books clients through a private website. She earns more than her office job and works only three days a week. That’s not the stereotype. That’s the new reality.
Legal Gray Zones Still Exist
Italy doesn’t ban escorting outright. Selling sex isn’t illegal. But organizing it? Running a brothel? Advertising it? Those are crimes under Article 3 of the Merlin Law from 1958. So technically, a woman can meet a client in a hotel and charge for companionship-but she can’t rent an apartment to see multiple clients, can’t hire someone to manage bookings, and can’t post ads saying "escort services available." That’s why most workers avoid the word "escort" altogether. They call themselves "companions," "tour guides," or "private consultants."Local police in Milan have been cracking down harder since 2023. They’ve shut down three major apartments used by groups of workers in Porta Romana and Niguarda. They’ve fined dozens of clients caught using dating apps to arrange paid meetings. But enforcement is inconsistent. In some districts, like Brera or Corso Como, it’s quiet. In others, like Lambrate or Rogoredo, patrols are common. Workers now use burner phones, encrypted apps like Signal, and strict ID checks to stay under the radar.
Technology Is Reshaping Everything
The biggest change isn’t legal-it’s technical. Workers now use AI tools to write their profiles, auto-filter clients, and even schedule appointments. One popular app, called Companionly, lets users set their availability, receive payments via crypto or PayPal, and get verified badges. It’s not officially endorsed by any government, but it’s growing fast. Some workers even use facial recognition to screen clients before meeting-uploading a photo of a potential visitor and checking it against police databases or known abusers listed in private forums.Payment methods have changed too. Cash is rare now. Most transactions happen through digital wallets. Crypto is rising, especially Monero, because it’s untraceable. But many workers prefer PayPal or Revolut-they’re faster, easier, and safer than carrying thousands in euros. One worker told me she gets paid in euros via Revolut, then immediately converts half to Bitcoin to protect against inflation. That’s not just smart-it’s necessary in a city where rent prices jumped 22% between 2022 and 2025.
Client Demand Is Evolving
The old idea of the escort as a luxury for rich businessmen is fading. Today’s clients are more diverse: single men in their 30s and 40s who feel lonely, expats new to the city, tourists looking for a local guide who also offers intimacy. Some want conversation more than sex. Others want to feel seen. A 2024 survey by the Milan-based NGO SafeCompanions found that 68% of clients said emotional connection was their top reason for hiring an escort-not physical intimacy.There’s also a rise in same-sex and non-binary clients. Workers who identify as LGBTQ+ are seeing more demand, especially from foreign tourists who feel safer in Milan than in their home countries. One non-binary escort, who goes by the name Lila, said their bookings increased 40% after they started listing gender-neutral pronouns on their profile. "People aren’t just looking for sex anymore," Lila told me. "They’re looking for acceptance. I give that. And they pay for it."
The Big Question: Will It Get Legal?
There’s been talk in Milan’s city council about reforming the Merlin Law. Some politicians argue that regulating escorting would reduce violence, improve health checks, and bring tax revenue. Others say legalizing it would encourage exploitation and human trafficking. The truth? No one knows. But the pressure is growing.In 2024, a pilot program started in Turin where workers could register voluntarily with the city, get health screenings, and receive legal advice. Only 17 women signed up. Most were scared of being flagged by immigration or losing custody of their kids. Milan hasn’t tried anything similar-yet. But if tourism keeps rising, and if clients keep demanding safer, cleaner services, the city may have no choice.
Some workers are already preparing. A few have formed informal collectives to share safety tips, legal resources, and mental health support. One group, called Milano Libera, even runs monthly workshops on digital privacy and financial planning. They don’t call themselves an association-they call it a "friendship circle." But it’s the closest thing to organization the industry has right now.
What Comes Next?
The future of escorting in Milan won’t be loud. It won’t be glamorous. It won’t be on billboards or in travel brochures. It’ll be quiet, digital, and decentralized. More workers will operate solo. More will use AI to manage their business. More will treat it like freelance work-flexible, risky, but financially viable.Law enforcement will keep trying to control it. Clients will keep seeking connection. And the workers? They’ll keep adapting. The ones who survive won’t be the ones with the most photos or the lowest prices. They’ll be the ones who understand technology, know their rights, and build trust-not just transactions.
If you’re thinking about entering the industry, here’s what you need to know: don’t rely on apps that promise "guaranteed income." Don’t trust strangers who offer to "manage" you. Don’t skip safety checks. And don’t believe the myth that this is easy money. It’s not. But for some, it’s the only path that gives them control, autonomy, and a way to survive in a city that doesn’t always make room for them.
What You Won’t See in the News
You won’t read about the woman who started a savings account after six months of working and now rents her own apartment. You won’t hear about the man who found comfort during a divorce through weekly meetings with a companion who never judged him. You won’t see the quiet dinners in private apartments, the shared stories over wine, the handwritten notes left on pillows after a client leaves.That’s the real industry. Not the sensational headlines. Not the fearmongering. Just people-trying to get by, trying to connect, trying to live.
Is escorting legal in Milan?
Selling sexual services is not illegal in Italy, but advertising, organizing, or running a brothel is. Workers operate in a legal gray zone-they can meet clients privately and charge for companionship, but they can’t rent spaces for multiple clients or post ads using the word "escort." Most avoid those terms and use "companion" or "private consultant" instead.
How do escorts in Milan find clients today?
Most use private websites, Instagram, or niche platforms like EscortList and Companionly. They avoid public ads and rely on encrypted messaging apps like Signal or Telegram to communicate. Many screen clients using ID verification tools and avoid cash transactions, preferring PayPal, Revolut, or cryptocurrency for safety and traceability.
Are escort services in Milan mostly run by organized groups?
No. Most workers are independent. While police have shut down a few organized apartments in recent years, the majority operate alone. There are no large agencies like in other countries. Any group activity is risky and illegal under Italian law, so most workers avoid collaboration beyond informal safety networks.
What’s the average income for an escort in Milan?
Earnings vary widely. Solo workers typically charge €80-€200 per hour, depending on experience, appearance, and location. Those with strong online profiles and repeat clients can earn €3,000-€6,000 per month working 10-15 hours. Some top-tier workers make more, but that’s rare. Most earn enough to cover rent and save-but not enough to live luxuriously.
Is it safe to hire an escort in Milan?
Safety depends on how carefully you choose. Avoid public platforms with no verification. Always meet in public first if possible. Use apps that let you check IDs. Never pay upfront without confirmation. Most workers today are cautious and screen clients rigorously. The biggest risks come from unverified individuals or scams-not the workers themselves.
Will Milan legalize escort services soon?
There’s no sign of legalization in the near future. While some politicians have suggested reforming the outdated Merlin Law, no concrete proposals have passed. The city is focused on cracking down on exploitation and trafficking, not regulating consensual adult work. Any change would require national legislation, which is unlikely before 2027.
What should someone do if they want to work as an escort in Milan?
Start by learning the law-know what’s allowed and what’s not. Build a private, secure online presence. Use encrypted apps. Never share personal documents. Set clear boundaries. Join online safety groups like Milano Libera for advice. Never work with someone who promises "easy money" or wants to manage you. Your safety and privacy are more important than any income.
