Why India Investment Could Be the Smartest Move for NRIs in Europe & the UK

Sushrut Phadke
Founder's Office
May 27, 2025
Introduction
For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) living in Europe and the United Kingdom, figuring out the best way to grow their wealth is a big question. In this article, we will look at why Investment in India could be a really smart move, possibly even better than sticking with the more familiar markets closer to home. We'll look into how India's growth compares, the exciting world of new tech companies there, and how GIFT City is making investing easier.
Now, the markets in Europe and the UK might seem like the obvious places to invest. But when you take a closer look, the opportunities in Investment in India start to look pretty compelling. India's economy is buzzing, it's got a huge young population, and technology is advancing rapidly - all of which is fueling growth that often outpaces many established European economies.
Checking Out How the Markets Stack Up
Let's just take a look at how the Indian Stock Market has been performing compared to some of the key markets in Europe. Think about the UK's FTSE 100, Germany's DAX, France's CAC 40, Belgium's BEL 20, and the Netherlands' AEX. When you put them side-by-side with the Indian indices over the last few years, and even stretching back five or ten years, India's growth has generally been noticeably stronger.
While markets in Europe offer a sense of stability and are home to some really big companies, their potential for significant growth right now often feels a bit limited compared to the energy you see in India. It's not that European markets are bad places to invest, not at all. It's just that for NRIs really focused on getting better returns, the clearly faster growth of Investment in India looks like a really attractive option for both European Investors and those in the UK.
Refer to FAQ for calculation methodology of currency adjusted returns
For the UK Comparison (GBP Adjusted):
Market / Index | 2-Year Growth (2023-2025) | 5-Year Growth (2020-2025) | 10-Year Growth (2015-2025) |
UK (FTSE 100) | -3.2% | +34% | +53% |
India (Nifty 50) | +48% | +112% | +273% |
Nifty 50 (GBP Adjusted) | ~+23.6% | ~+64.9% | ~+224% |
For the Europe Comparison (EUR Adjusted):
Market / Index | 2-Year Growth (2023-2025) | 5-Year Growth (2020-2025) | 10-Year Growth (2015-2025) |
Germany (DAX) | +19% | +72% | +128% |
France (CAC 40) | -6.2% | +30% | +58% |
Belgium (BEL 20) | +11.1% | +42% | +89% |
India (Nifty 50) | +48% | +112% | +273% |
Nifty 50 (GBP Adjusted) | ~+23.6% | ~+64.9% | ~+224% |
The Currency Perspective: Translating Growth into Euros and Pounds
While the historical growth figures of the Indian stock market compared to European benchmarks are compelling, it's crucial for NRIs in Europe and the UK to also consider the dynamics of the Indian Rupee (INR) against the Euro (EUR) and the British Pound (GBP). The actual returns realized in their home currencies will be influenced by the fluctuations in these exchange rates over the investment period. For instance, if the INR appreciates against the EUR or GBP during their investment, the gains from the Indian market will be amplified when converted back. Conversely, a depreciation of the INR could moderate the overall returns in EUR or GBP terms. Therefore, while India's economic momentum presents significant growth opportunities, a holistic investment strategy for NRIs should also factor in potential currency movements to accurately assess the final returns on their investments.
The Buzz Around India's New Tech Scene
One of the most exciting things about Investment in India is the rapid rise of new, fast-growing tech companies - these are the High-Growth Stocks that everyone's talking about. It feels a bit like how the big tech companies took off in the US and changed the game. India seems to be in a similar phase right now.
Consider companies like Zomato and Swiggy - they've pretty much transformed how food gets delivered across India with their wide reach and innovative approaches. Then you've got Ola Electric, which is really leading the charge in electric vehicles in India, ready to take advantage as more people go for cleaner transport.
These kinds of companies tend to expand quickly and come up with fresh ways of doing business, which can be a fantastic opportunity for savvy investors. When you look at how the US market changed when tech stocks became the dominant players, it gives you a good idea of the potential that's brewing in India. The significant growth and wealth that tech companies created in the US highlight the untapped potential within India's dynamic tech world. For NRI Investment in India coming from Europe and the UK, getting into these fast-moving Indian tech stocks could be a chance to be part of a similar wealth-building story in a vibrant Emerging Market.
GIFT City: Making Investment In India Easier for NRIs
What's also really helpful is that the Indian government has been actively trying to attract Investment in India from overseas, which has created a pretty welcoming setup for NRIs looking to invest. A key step here has been establishing and developing the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City).
Think of GIFT City as a special economic zone that's aiming to become a major global finance hub. For NRIs, it offers a particularly convenient way to get involved in Investment in India. It allows them to invest in Indian markets using the currencies they already have, without all the usual headaches of converting money and dealing with currency fluctuations.
This simpler approach makes investing easier and can even save you some money on transaction costs, making Investment in India through GIFT City an even more appealing option. Through GIFT City, NRIs can access a whole range of Investment in India opportunities, from stocks to various types of mutual funds and other financial instruments, all in the currencies they're familiar with.
This not only makes the whole Investment in India process smoother but also creates a more level playing field for international investors wanting to tap into the Indian market. The regulations in GIFT City are specifically designed to be business-friendly and to welcome foreign capital, making it an even better gateway for NRIs living in Europe and the UK who are keen to be part of the exciting Investment in India story.
The Bottom Line
So, when NRIs living in Europe and the UK are weighing their investment options, India really stands out. The strong growth of the Indian Stock Market, the seriously exciting potential of its High-Growth Stocks in the tech sector (kind of like the US boom), and the user-friendly ways to invest through GIFT City all add up to make Investment in India a top contender for getting good returns. The growth rates often beat those in many European markets, and investing through GIFT City is more straightforward, making a strong case for NRIs to make Investment in India a key part of their strategy in this dynamic Emerging Market.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does Indian stock market growth compare to Europe for NRIs?
The Indian stock market delivers better investment performance to non-resident Indians than major European markets including the UK throughout the past few years.
Which new tech stocks in India look promising for NRI investment?
You should monitor the growth potential of new Indian tech firms Zomato, Swiggy, and Ola Electric because they represent strong opportunities for investment expansion.
Can NRIs directly invest in Indian stocks, and what are the rules?
Yes, via NRE/NRO accounts under RBI/SEBI rules. Rupeeflo helps European NRIs open DEMAT accounts for this. Notably, investing through GIFT City allows direct transactions in foreign currencies without INR conversion.
What exactly is GIFT City, and how does it help NRIs invest with foreign money?
Through its special financial zone status GIFT City enables NRIs to make Indian market investments with their foreign currencies thus streamlining their investment process.
What are some of the risks of investing in Indian stocks, and how can NRIs manage them?
Every investment carries specific risks which include market fluctuations. To minimize their investment risks NRIs should invest in multiple assets while conducting thorough research. The risks associated with currency exchange can be managed through GIFT City.
How do the returns of the Indian stock market (Nifty 50) look for UK-based NRIs when adjusted for currency fluctuations (GBP)?
To illustrate the potential returns for UK-based NRIs considering currency exchange rate movements, let's look at an example assuming ₹100 invested in the Nifty 50 at the start of each period:
2-Year Growth (2023-2025): Nifty +48%
Value in INR in 2025: ₹148
GBP Conversion (Approx.): ₹100/94 (end 2022 approx) = ~£1.06; ₹148/113 (May 2025 approx) = ~£1.31. Approx. GBP Return: ~23.6%
5-Year Growth (2020-2025): Nifty +112%
Value in INR in 2025: ₹212
GBP Conversion (Approx.): ₹100/88 (end 2019 approx) = ~£1.14; ₹212/113 (May 2025 approx) = ~£1.88. Approx. GBP Return: ~64.9%
10-Year Growth (2015-2025): Nifty +273%
Value in INR in 2025: ₹373
GBP Conversion (Approx.): ₹100/98 (end 2014 approx) = ~£1.02; ₹373/113 (May 2025 approx) = ~£3.30. Approx. GBP Return: ~224%
How do the returns of the Indian stock market (Nifty 50) look for Europe-based NRIs when adjusted for currency fluctuations (EUR)?
To illustrate the potential returns for Europe-based NRIs considering currency exchange rate movements, let's look at an example assuming ₹100 invested in the Nifty 50 at the start of each period:
2-Year Growth (2023-2025): Nifty +48%
Value in INR in 2025: ₹148
EUR Conversion (Approx.): ₹100/89 (end 2022 approx) = ~€1.12; ₹148/96 (May 2025 approx) = ~€1.54. Approx. EUR Return: ~37.5%
5-Year Growth (2020-2025): Nifty +112%
Value in INR in 2025: ₹212
EUR Conversion (Approx.): ₹100/89 (end 2019 approx) = ~€1.12; ₹212/96 (May 2025 approx) = ~€2.21. Approx. EUR Return: ~97.3%
10-Year Growth (2015-2025): Nifty +273%
Value in INR in 2025: ₹373