NRE vs NRO account: which one does an NRI actually need?

Two three-letter accounts cause more confusion — and more accidental non-compliance — than almost anything else for new NRIs. Here is the difference between an NRE and NRO account in plain English, and the FEMA rule most people break without realising it.

NRE vs NRO: what each account is for

The simplest way to hold the distinction: an NRE (Non-Resident External) account holds your foreign earnings converted into rupees, while an NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) account holds income that arises in India.

• NRE account. Funded by money you bring in from abroad. The interest is tax-free in India, and both the principal and interest are freely repatriable back out of the country with minimal paperwork.
• NRO account. Funded by India-sourced income — rent, dividends, pension, interest, or the proceeds of selling an Indian asset. The interest is taxable in India and subject to TDS, and repatriation is capped at USD 1 million per financial year, with documentation.

How to choose between an NRE and NRO account

The decision is usually straightforward:

• Money coming from abroad that you may want to send back out later → NRE.
• Money earned in India → NRO.

Most NRIs end up holding both: an NRE account for foreign funds and an NRO account for Indian income. They are not mutually exclusive, and there is no penalty for maintaining both.

The compliance landmine most people miss

Here is the part nobody mentions at the bank counter. Under FEMA, the day your residential status changes to non-resident, you are required to redesignate your existing resident savings account as an NRO account — or close it. Continuing to operate an ordinary resident account after you have moved abroad is non-compliant.

This is not a theoretical risk. We routinely see NRIs whose mutual fund redemptions, demat transactions, or fresh investments get held up precisely because the underlying bank account and KYC still describe them as resident. The fix is administrative, but it has to be done.

Tax treatment, in one line each

• NRE interest: exempt from Indian tax.
• NRO interest: taxable, with TDS often deducted at around 30% — reducible to the treaty rate under the relevant DTAA, provided you file Form 10F and hold a valid Tax Residency Certificate.

Repatriation: the practical difference

This is where the two accounts diverge most.

• NRE to abroad: freely repatriable. Minimal friction.
• NRO to abroad: up to USD 1 million per financial year, and the bank will require Form 15CA (your declaration) together with Form 15CB (a chartered accountant's certificate) plus proof of the source of funds. The "money stuck for weeks" complaint almost always comes from submitting these documents piecemeal rather than as a complete set.

Before you do anything else

If you have moved abroad and never converted your accounts, treat this as the first housekeeping item, in this order:

1. Redesignate your resident savings account as NRO (and open an NRE account if you will be bringing in foreign funds).
2. Update your residential status to NRI on the income-tax portal.
3. Refresh your KYC with a KRA as an NRI, so your mutual fund folios and demat account do not freeze.

The bottom line

NRE is for foreign money: tax-free and freely repatriable. NRO is for Indian income: taxable, with a USD 1 million annual repatriation cap. Redesignating your old resident account is a legal requirement under FEMA, not an optional tidy-up — and getting it wrong is the single most common reason NRI investments get frozen at the worst possible moment.

Frequently asked questions

Can an NRI have both an NRE and an NRO account?

Yes. Most NRIs hold both — an NRE account for foreign funds and an NRO account for India-sourced income. There is no penalty for maintaining both.

Is NRE or NRO interest taxable in India?

NRE interest is exempt from Indian tax. NRO interest is taxable and subject to TDS, often around 30%, which can be reduced to the treaty rate under the applicable DTAA with Form 10F and a Tax Residency Certificate.

How much can I repatriate from an NRO account?

Up to USD 1 million per financial year, supported by Form 15CA, a CA's Form 15CB, and proof of the source of funds.

Do I need to convert my resident savings account after becoming an NRI?

Yes. Under FEMA, you must redesignate your resident savings account as an NRO account (or close it) once you become a non-resident. Continuing to run a resident account is non-compliant.

This note is general guidance and is not legal or tax advice. Specific situations turn on facts we cannot anticipate here. The Pravasi Desk helps NRIs set up and correct their account structure, KYC and repatriation as a fixed-fee project. Get in touch.