NRE vs NRO Accounts: Understanding the Differences for NRI Banking

What are the differences between an NRE and an NRO account?

An NRI has the option to open two distinct types of bank accounts to manage their finances in India, namely the Non-Resident External (NRE) account and the Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) account. Each account serves different purposes and comes with its own set of features and regulations.

Comparison Between NRE and NRO Accounts


Criteria
NRE
NRO
Purpose
Used by NRIs to invest income earned abroad in Indian capital markets.
Allows NRIs to invest income earned within India in Indian capital markets.
Repatriation
Both principal and interest are fully repatriable.
Interest is fully repatriable; principal repatriation is restricted to USD 1 million per financial year.
F&O Trading
Not permitted to be used for trading in any derivatives.
Can be used to trade in Equity F&O segment through a Custodial Participant.
Transfer
Funds can be transferred to NRO account.
Transfers from NRO to NRE accounts are not permitted.
Taxability
Interest earned on Investments in the NRE A/c is Tax-Free.
Interest earned on Investments in the NRO A/c is Taxable.
Deposits & Withdrawals
Allows deposit and withdrawal in both INR and foreign currency.
Deposits can be made in both INR and foreign currency, but withdrawals are only in INR.


Note: Repatriation refers to the process of transferring funds from India to the account holder's country of residence.

If you're an NRI looking to open an account that best suits your investment needs, we invite you to begin the account opening process with FYERS by submitting your details here.

    • Related Articles

    • Can an NRI link both NRE and NRO accounts to a single trading account?

      An NRI is permitted to open both NRE and NRO accounts with any bank that is authorized by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). However, when it comes to linking these accounts to a trading account with FYERS, an NRI must choose to link either one — an ...
    • Can NRIs Open Both NRE and NRO Trading Accounts?

      Yes, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) have the option to open two distinct trading accounts for Non-Resident External (NRE) and Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) funds. These accounts cater to different needs and have separate regulations concerning ...
    • What is an NRE PIS account?

      An NRE PIS (Non-Resident External Portfolio Investment Scheme) Account is a type of bank account that Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) can set up with authorization from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under the PIS to trade shares on Indian stock ...
    • What should I do if I accidentally transfer funds from an NRE account to FYERS through RTGS or NEFT, instead of from an NRO account?

      If you inadvertently transfer funds from your Non-Resident External (NRE) account to FYERS, when it was intended to be from your Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) account, please adhere to the updated steps below to resolve the issue: Download the Consent ...
    • What is an NRO Non-PIS account?

      An NRO Non-Portfolio Investment Scheme (Non-PIS) account is a type of investment account that enables Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to purchase and hold various Indian securities like equity shares, convertible debentures, preference shares, bonds, and ...