What is an NRE Account in India?
An NRE (Non-Resident External) account in India is a type of bank account designed for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to park their foreign earnings. It allows NRIs to deposit and manage income earned abroad in Indian Rupees.
NRE accounts are maintained in Indian currency and offer easy repatriation of funds, meaning NRIs can freely transfer money back to their country of residence. These accounts are ideal for NRIs looking to invest in India or manage their finances from abroad.
Features of the Best NRE Account in India for an NRI
The key features of a Non-Resident External (NRE) account for an NRI are listed below:
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High Interest Rates: Earn attractive interest rates on your NRE account balance.
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Tax-Free: Interest earned on NRE accounts is tax-free in India, making it an ideal choice for NRIs.
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Repatriation: Easily repatriate both principal and interest earned without any restrictions.
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Currency Options: Available in major foreign currencies like USD, GBP, EUR, etc., providing flexibility.
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Online Access: Convenient online banking facilities for easy account management from anywhere in the world.
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Joint Accounts: Option to open joint NRE accounts with other NRIs for shared financial goals.
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Nomination Facility: Nominate a beneficiary to ensure a smooth transfer of funds in case of unforeseen circumstances.
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No Minimum Balance: Some accounts offer the flexibility of maintaining a zero minimum balance.
Best NRE Savings Account in India
Name of the Bank |
NRE Deposit Interest rates below Rs. 2 crores |
Minimum Balance |
1 year |
2 years |
3 years |
5 years |
Axis Bank |
6.75% |
7.20% |
7.00% |
7.00% |
Rs. 10,000 or Rs. 25,000, depending on the account |
Bank of Baroda |
6.75% |
6.75% |
7.05% |
6.50% |
Rs. 50,000 average quarter balance |
Bank of India |
6.00% |
6.75% |
6.50% |
6.00% |
Minimum Balance: Rs. 200 per quarter |
Canara Bank |
6.90% |
6.85% |
6.80% |
6.70% |
Rs. 1 lakh |
Citibank |
6.75% |
7.20% |
7.00% |
7.00% |
Rs. 80,000 |
DBS Bank |
6.25% |
5.75% |
5.00% |
5.00% |
Rs. 5,00,000 |
HDFC Bank |
6.60% |
7.00% |
7.00% |
7.00% |
Rs. 10,000 (Urban and Metro city branch) Rs. 5,000 (Rural city branch) |
ICICI Bank |
6.70% |
7.00% |
7.00% |
6.90% |
Rs. 10,000 |
Kotak Mahindra Bank |
7.10% |
7.00% |
6.50% |
6.20% |
Rs. 10,000 |
RBL Bank |
7.00% |
7.50% |
7.10% |
7.00% |
Rs. 50,000 |
SBM Bank |
7.05% |
7.30% |
7.40% |
7.75% |
0 Balance |
State Bank of India |
6.80% |
7.00% |
6.50% |
6.50% |
Rs. 1,00,000 (Urban and Metro city branch) Rs. 50,000 (Rural city branch) |
YES Bank |
7.50% |
7.25% |
7.25% |
7.00% |
Rs. 10,000 |
Disclaimer: Policybazaar does not endorse, rate, or recommend any particular company or product. The investment risk in the investment portfolio is borne by the policyholder.
Benefits of Best NRE Account in India
The NRE account in India offers various benefits to an NRI, which are as follows:
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Higher interest rates compared to regular savings accounts
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Tax-free interest earnings for non-resident Indians (NRIs)
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Convenient repatriation of funds from abroad
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Easy access to funds through online banking
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Option to hold funds in Indian rupees or foreign currency
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Flexible deposit and withdrawal options
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Dedicated customer support for NRE account holders
Difference Between NRE and NRO Account
A concise comparison between NRE (Non-Resident External) and NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) accounts is listed below:
Aspect |
NRE Account |
NRO Account |
Purpose |
For repatriation of foreign earnings |
For managing income earned in India |
Currency |
Maintained in Indian Rupees (INR) |
Maintained in Indian Rupees (INR) |
Repatriation |
Fully repatriable |
Partially repatriable |
Taxation |
Tax-free |
Taxable |
Source of Funds |
Income earned outside India |
Income earned in India |
Deposits |
Can be in the form of foreign currency |
Only in Indian Rupees (INR) |
Joint Account |
Can be held jointly with other NRIs |
Can be held jointly with residents or NRIs |
Interest |
Tax-free |
Taxable |
Investments |
Can't be used for certain investments |
Can be used for investments in India |