Retiring in India
Residency routes, healthcare and pension tax · INR
Routes to residency
India has no dedicated retirement or passive-income visa. Long-stay permission is tied to grounds such as employment, business, study or family, and people of Indian origin may instead qualify for an Overseas Citizen of India card. Confirm with the Bureau of Immigration.
Sources: Bureau of Immigration, India
Healthcare
India has no national public health insurance scheme open to foreign residents; there is no bilateral social-security healthcare agreement providing free public hospital access to foreign nationals on long-stay visas or OCI cards. Foreigners can use public hospitals but are generally expected to pay, and most long-term foreign residents rely on private hospitals and private insurance rather than the public system.
Not applicable in the sense of a qualifying period, since there is no enrollment-based public scheme for foreign residents to join; public hospital treatment is available to anyone present but is not a 'free at point of use' insured benefit for foreigners.
Private health insurance is widely used by foreign nationals and OCI cardholders in India; some visa categories (e.g., certain student, work, or long-stay visas) may require proof of adequate health coverage, and private insurers such as Niva Bupa market dedicated expat/OCI health plans, but there is no single uniform national legal mandate confirmed for all long-stay visa holders.
US Medicare: US Medicare does not cover medical care received in India except in extremely limited circumstances defined by federal rules (e.g., certain emergencies involving US territorial waters or specific cross-border situations that do not apply to India); retirees relying on Medicare must generally pay out of pocket or purchase separate international/private insurance for care received in India.
Pension income tax
India taxes foreign pension income of its residents.
Whether India taxes a person's foreign pension depends on residential status under Indian income-tax law. A 'Resident and Ordinarily Resident' (ROR) is taxed on worldwide income, including foreign pensions, and must report foreign retirement accounts in Schedule FA. Returning NRIs/OCIs typically pass through a 'Resident but Not Ordinarily Resident' (RNOR) phase (commonly about 2-3 years) during which foreign-sourced income, including foreign pensions, generally remains outside Indian tax; once a person becomes ROR, foreign pension income becomes taxable in India, subject to relief under India's Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs).
There is a US income tax treaty with India.
Under Article 20 of the India-US income tax treaty, private pensions and annuities are generally taxable only in the recipient's country of residence, while Article 19 assigns taxing rights over government-service pensions primarily to the paying government; Article 20(2) separately addresses Social Security-type payments. US citizens remain subject to the treaty's saving clause, meaning the United States generally retains the right to tax its citizens on worldwide income, including pensions, regardless of residence in India.
Sources: India Travel Insurance Guide · What is an OCI Card? Meaning, Benefits & Application Guide · Understanding Health Insurance for International Travelers and Expats in India · Understanding Taxation of Foreign Retirement Pensions for NRIs in India · Pension Income Tax Rules for NRIs Retiring in India · Tax Vimarsh - NRI/OCI Income Tax Guide · India-United States International Income Tax Treaty Explained · How India Cross-Border Retirement is Taxed Under US Treaty · US-India tax treaty (DTAA) explained
Checked Oct 2026
Customs & etiquette
- Namaste Greeting — The traditional greeting is 'Namaste' — pressing the palms together at chest level and giving a slight bow, especially with elders or in formal settings. This is a respectful alternative to a handshake and is welcomed by locals across the country.
- Eating with the Right Hand — Many Indians eat with their fingers, particularly with traditional foods like rice, roti, and curries. The right hand is used for eating and passing food or objects, as the left hand is traditionally associated with hygiene tasks.
- Removing Shoes Indoors — Shoes are removed before entering someone's home, as well as before entering temples, mosques, and gurdwaras. Socks are generally acceptable in religious spaces, but check specific site rules.
- Modest Dress — Modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees is expected, especially for women, and is essential when visiting religious sites. Carrying a scarf or shawl to cover up on short notice is a practical habit for travelers.
- Religious Site Conduct — Temples, mosques, and other places of worship have specific rules: some restrict non-adherents from inner sanctums, photography may be limited, and quiet, respectful behavior is expected. Always ask before photographing rituals, deities, or worshippers.
- Public Displays of Affection — India remains socially conservative in much of the country, and overt physical affection between couples in public is generally frowned upon, particularly outside major cosmopolitan cities.
Religion
Hindu 79.8% · Muslim 14.2% · Christian 2.3% · Sikh 1.7% · other and unspecified 2%
Other countries in South Asia
Reference information compiled from the sources cited above and reviewed by hand. Immigration, healthcare and tax rules change and are applied at the authorities' discretion — confirm with the consulate, an immigration adviser or a tax adviser before making plans. Nothing here is tax or immigration advice.