When it’s about saving or investing your money in India or anywhere around, as an NRI, you will need an account for the same. While there are plenty of options to choose from, among the most popular ones is NRE saving account for NRIs.
Most NRIs (Non-resident Indians) choose an NRE account for multiple purposes such as savings, sending money to their family, and diversifying their portfolio. However, with so many bank options, it would be overwhelming to choose the best NRE account in India. But don’t worry — this guide is here to help you!
An NRE account (Non-Resident External Account) is a type of bank account designed for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to manage their foreign earnings in India. Widely favoured by both NRIs and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), this account allows you to manage your income from abroad and convert deposits in foreign currency into Indian rupees (INR). This amount can then be used for investment plans or other financial purposes.
We have mentioned the major NRE account benefits that you can enjoy as an NRI —
Tax-free Interest | You can earn tax-free interest on your savings |
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Flexible Fund Transfer | You can easily transfer funds from your NRE account without any restrictions |
Currency Conversation | These accounts give you the flexibility to convert foreign currency into Indian Rupees (INR) |
Joint Account Holding | You can also open a joint account with another NRI or OCI and manage your finances efficiently |
Repatriability | You can conveniently manage your funds by transferring them to your family/relatives or use them for investment and other financial activities |
Quick Fund Transfer | Hassle-free experience of transferring funds between India and abroad as the NRE account allows you to quickly send a large sum of money |
Investment Opportunities | With this account, you can participate in various investment opportunities and benefit from India’s growing economy |
Innovative Online Services | Most banks in India offer online or digital banking services that let you manage your account/funds remotely |
If you belong to any of the following categories, you can open an NRE account —
Note: PIO was merged with OCI in 2015.
To open an NRE account in India, you will need the following documents —
Banks for NRE Account | Interest Rate | Minimum Balance Requirement | Key Features |
---|---|---|---|
DBS Bank NRE Account | Up to 3.5% per annum | ₹25,000 (AED 1087.83)* |
|
HSBC NRE Bank Account |
Starts from 2% p.a. | ₹25,000 (AED 1087.83)* |
|
Axis NRE Bank Account |
Starts from 3% per annum | ₹12,000 (AED 522.16)* |
|
SBI NRE Account | Starts from 2.7% p.a | N/A |
|
HDFC NRE Account | N/A | ₹10,000 (AED 435.13)* in metro/urban areas and ₹5,000 (AED 217.57)* in semi-urban areas |
|
Yes Bank NRE Account | Starts from 3% p.a. | N/A |
|
IDFC First NRE Bank Account |
Progressive rate starts from 3% p.a. | N/A |
|
Kotak Mahindra NRE Bank Account | Starts from 3% p.a. | ₹10,000 (AED 435.13)* |
|
ICICI NRE Account | Starts from 3% p.a. | ₹10,000 (AED 435.13)* |
|
RBL Bank NRE Account | Up to 7.5% p.a. | ₹50,000 (AED 2175.65)* |
|
Here is the overview of the best NRE accounts for NRIs along with the key features —
DBS Bank's NRE account allows NRIs to deposit their foreign-earned money in India and repatriate it. It also offers investment opportunities for them with joint or individual accounts.
HSBC Bank is known for its trustable banking and finance services. With the NRE Bank Account on the HSBC Bank, you can save your money in Indian currency and use it for various purposes.
With its extensive international banking and financial services, Axis Bank is a preferred choice among NRIs for handling their foreign money. It features exclusive benefits, ensuring a seamless banking experience for customers.
As India’s largest bank, SBI offers an NRE account that lets you enjoy unparalleled banking services and customer support. It features several facilities to meet your various needs.
HDFC, one of India’s leading private banks, provides a comprehensive range of financial and banking services for NRIs. These services are designed to handle and manage their foreign-earned income.
As an NRI, you can get lucrative options to grow your foreign income with tax-free interest with Yes Bank. Moreover, it provides a personal relationship manager to ensure that you get an exceptional banking experience.
This bank is popular for its comprehensive suite of financial and banking services — an NRE Bank account is one of them. With IDFC First NRE Bank Account, you can enjoy several benefits tailored to meet your banking needs.
With nominal balance requirements and a host of features, Kotak Mahindra Bank’s NRE account is among the top ones in India. As an NRI, you can easily save, invest, and transfer funds without any major restrictions.
You can park your foreign income in an ICICI NRE Account with exclusive features such as a debit card, attractive rates, and more. With the account also allowing wire transfers in 8 currencies, it’s certainly one of the best options.
RBL Bank NRE Account is ideal for those seeking high interest on their foreign income. It also offers a mobile banking facility through which you can manage your funds anywhere in the world.
Note: It’s advised to check the interest rates and balances with the bank before applying as they are subject to change over time.
When opening an NRE account in India, take note of some points to get the best one for yourself —
Opening an NRE savings account for NRIs is a straightforward process. Follow these steps:
Most banks require the following:
NRIs can open different types of accounts based on their income sources and financial needs. The three primary types are:
Feature |
Details |
---|---|
Purpose |
Manage income earned outside India in INR |
Repatriation |
Full repatriation of both principal and interest |
Taxation |
Tax-free interest income in India |
Currency Conversion |
Deposits in foreign currency, converted to INR |
Ideal For |
NRIs who want to send money to India and invest in INR |
Example: If you're an NRI working in the USA, you can transfer your salary in USD to your NRE account, where it will be converted to INR. You can then freely repatriate the funds whenever needed.
Feature |
Details |
---|---|
Purpose |
Manage income earned within India (e.g., rent, dividends, pensions) |
Repatriation |
Partial repatriation allowed (up to USD 1 million per financial year) |
Taxation |
Interest earned is taxable as per Indian tax laws |
Joint Account |
Can be held jointly with an Indian resident |
Ideal For |
NRIs earning income from Indian sources |
Example: If you own a property in India and receive rental income, the rent should be deposited into your NRO account.
Feature |
Details |
---|---|
Purpose |
Maintain foreign currency deposits without converting to INR |
Repatriation |
Full repatriation of principal and interest |
Taxation |
Interest earned is tax-free in India |
Currencies Supported |
USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, CAD, and other major currencies |
Ideal For |
NRIs who want to avoid currency fluctuation risks |
Example: If you have USD savings and expect the INR to depreciate, you can hold your funds in an FCNR account to protect against exchange rate losses.
Criteria |
NRE Account |
NRO Account |
FCNR Account |
---|---|---|---|
Best for Income Earned |
Abroad |
India |
Abroad |
Currency of Deposit |
Foreign currency (converted to INR) |
INR |
Foreign currency |
Tax on Interest Earned |
No |
Yes |
No |
Repatriation |
Full |
Limited |
Full |
Hedge Against Forex Risks |
No |
No |
Yes |
Tip: If you earn money abroad and want tax-free savings in INR, choose an NRE account. If you earn in India, an NRO account is required. If you want to protect against exchange rate fluctuations, go for an FCNR account.
An NRE savings account is the perfect choice for NRIs looking to transfer and manage foreign earnings in INR while enjoying tax-free interest and full repatriation. Understanding the different NRI accounts—NRE, NRO, and FCNR—can help you choose the right account based on your financial needs.
If you frequently send money to India and want hassle-free and smooth repatriation, opening an NRE account is a smart decision.