stranieri

Stranieri is the Italian term for individuals who are not citizens of the country in which the term is used. In Italy and other Italian-speaking contexts, it typically refers to non-nationals who reside, work, or travel within the country, as distinct from citizens.

The word derives from straniero, from Latin extraneus “external, foreign.” Throughout Italian history it has been used in legal and everyday language to distinguish insiders from outsiders.

In Italy, the status of straniero is defined by immigration law. The core framework is the Testo unico sull'immigrazione (Legislative Decree 286/1998) and amendments, which regulate entry, residence permits, and pathways to integration. The term covers persons who are not Italian citizens and who may hold residence permits, asylum status, or be visitors. Historically, non-EU foreigners were referred to as extracomunitari, a term increasingly supplanted by more neutral language in many contexts.

Demographics and social dimensions: Official statistics label stranieri as foreign residents; immigration has produced diverse communities from Africa, Asia, and Europe. In public life, issues related to integration, language, housing, employment, and anti-discrimination shape policy and discourse.

In contemporary use, stranieri appears in administrative forms, media, and academic writing as a neutral descriptor of non-citizens, though context can influence connotation. The concept intersects with migration trends, citizenship debates, and rights protection in modern states.