keithBT

Scanning over my bank statements I noticed 37.80 back in Dec 17 and another 42.00 last month for bank charges. I have the usual endesa, ghiasa, priinet going out plus community and inter-communtity quarterly, and half yearly EUC debits. Not OD. Average balance between 100 - 1500 euros. I mistakenly thought I was on a tariff free account - WRONG !!. Are theses charges about typical or do you know better??? 80 euros a year seems quite a lot for roughly 40 transactions.(BBVA)

Jon-Bxl

I am so annoyed with Spanish banks, being in the middle of some continued hassles.

The EU have implemented SEPA which really helps in tarrif free euro transfers. My BE bank does not charge for transfers out. My ESP bank has found a way around that, but cannot charge for incoming transfers.

Unfortunately we haven't yet implementated international direct debit - the day we do, I will drop my ESP bank like a hot coal. My current bank has charges I haven't seen elsewhere. And I get awful service !! I can set up standing orders from my BE bank, but of course this doesn't help with variable payments like electricity.

Recently I had a lot of help re changing to Sabadell the bank well recommended here. But, long story short, that has proved to be problematic and I am stuck with my useless bank....

No wonder banks have such a bad rep. However I am delighted with my BE bank.

Jon
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_Euro_Payments_Area

Teed Up

Hi,

We use Sabadell in town, have set up a monthly direct debit from my UK account, and it goes in free of charge and at the bank rate.
We have no charges on the account as long as you pay at least 750 a month into the account. Speak to them about changing to this account.

Ken.

keithBT

Thanks Ken, but the bills / expenses are less than £3k a year or thereabouts, hence would not achieve the 750 a month. I think I'm probably stuck with paying 80 euros a year charges. Never been a lover of rip off banks, but UK free banking is looking a bargain !!

Teed Up

Hi Keith,

Mine also,so i use it for all my spending monies when am over in Spain, as you get
the bank rate as you convert it, they issue you with a card you can use to shop or withdraw
monies.

Ken.

bitmanev

if you have a € bank account you can pay most if not all bills via the Internet

with a £ bank account we use TorFX to transfer £ to € and then direct debits and have our home insurance by the same € bank to drop some charges

Jon-Bxl

Thanks Ken

As I mentioned above, I can pay all bils by SEPA. As I live in the Eurozone. However I cant do international direct debits. (Yet) I need this for variable bills. In the Eurozone I don't have to exchange currencies, so I dont lose anything on the fx rate commisions which as you know are always there.
​​​​​
So I am stuck with a Spanish bank. Until the EU fix this. It will take time.

I went to Sabadell, after great advice on this forum, but that is a problem too. Long story over a beer or three!!. But the nub is I am stuck with my current bank.

Like Keith even though we spend several months a year here - we dont spend 750€ a month =9000€ a year. If I transferred 750€ in and then some out, they would probably charge me for that, as they have found a way to do that somehow (my BE bank dont charge for this and I thought SEPA stopped this).

However have you used your card when traveling outside Spain? Can you draw out cash and pay for purchases on this card outside Spain ... But WITHOUT paying charges?

It looks like I am stuck with with a useless bank in Huelva, needing a trip there for any problems and huge waits.... And also high bank charges.

As soon as the EU incorporate direct debits, I will drop my Spanish bank.
Jon

MikeCol

keithBT

Ok Guys, Thanks for the replies. It would appear that 80 euros a year is about normal, hence my instinct that I was being charged excessively is unfounded. At least I know it is about the going rate now!!