Invest Abroad Through GIFT City: NSE Adds 8,200 European ETFs; How Pune Investors Can Use the LRS Route
NSE’s GIFT City platform now gives Indian investors access to seven European markets. Here is how the GIFT City route works, the LRS limit and tax rules.
Photo: Atul Tegar / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pune, 14th November 2026: Indian investors can now buy more than 11,500 overseas securities, including over 8,200 European ETFs, through the National Stock Exchange’s global investment platform at GIFT City, after it added seven European markets, The Tribune reported. The platform is run by NSEIX Global Access IFSC Limited and already offered US stocks.
“GIFT City” was among the top trends on X in India on Friday.
Which markets are now available
The new markets are France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Most of the 8,200 funds are UCITS ETFs, a European fund format widely used by international investors.
Why investors are using GIFT City
Indian mutual funds can invest only up to an industry-wide limit of $7 billion overseas, which is why many international funds have stopped taking fresh money. Funds based in GIFT City are outside that limit and are regulated by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), Business Standard explained.
How to invest abroad through GIFT City
1. Complete KYC with the fund or platform. There is no common KYC registry, so you submit PAN, Aadhaar and bank details to each fund house separately.
2. Send money under the LRS. The Liberalised Remittance Scheme lets a resident send up to $250,000 a financial year. You can pay online through net banking or submit Form A2 at your bank.
3. Wait for allotment. Transfers usually take one to three days, and units are allotted within about two to five days of payment in total.
Tax and cost to watch
- TCS: LRS remittances above Rs 10 lakh in a financial year for investment attract 20% tax collected at source on the excess. You can claim it as credit when you file your return.
- Currency: Banks add their own markup to the exchange rate, so compare before sending money.
- Minimums: Some GIFT City funds accept $500, while others need $5,000, according to Business Standard.
How much should you put abroad?
Advisers quoted by Business Standard suggested keeping overseas exposure to about 5 to 15% of a portfolio. For a Pune salaried investor, that usually means starting small through a diversified global ETF or fund rather than single stocks.
*This article is for general information and is not investment advice. Consult a registered adviser before investing.*
For more on money matters, read our report on retail inflation in October and our markets and money section.
Frequently asked questions
Can Indians invest in European ETFs through GIFT City?
Yes. NSE’s GIFT City platform now offers access to seven European markets, including over 8,200 UCITS ETFs.
How much money can I send abroad under LRS?
Up to $250,000 per financial year per resident individual.
Is there TCS on investing abroad?
Yes. LRS remittances for investment above Rs 10 lakh a year attract 20% TCS on the excess, which can be claimed as credit.
Who regulates GIFT City funds?
The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).
