Hi, My name is debbie, I am new on here, my husband and I are moving just outside benidorm in the next few months, we just not sure about what to do about banks, we currently with the Rbs, who have the highest % charge when withdrawing from an atm, so we looking to change banks, but not sure which bank is best to use? Also do we open a Spanish bank account? Any help would be appreciated, thank you. Debbie.

I seem to recall that Nationwide had a system.I think it's called flex plus.

If you are moving to Spain then you should open a Spanish bank account, you will need it if you want to use direct debit for any bills etc. One I used and can recommend is BBVA, they usually have English speaking people there, and particularly where you will be living.

Hi Debbie,

I live in Benidorm and I can recommend Sabadell bank. If you have the expansion account you are not charged any fees at all, not even for ATM use.

Steve

You will need a Spanish bank account but also retain your UK bank account as it can be difficult to reopen them and of course useful when you visit the UK.

Thank you for all your replies, just so much to take in ha not slept properly in weeks,
Debbie

Ah yes, I remember it well

This is particularly good advice, keep any accounts in the UK that you already have especially if they are not incurring fees. It is too easy to close accounts but really difficult to reopen them later if needed.

I have the Expansion acc account You do have to transfer approx 650 euros per month into it

The rate is set by Sabadell and is normally about 4c below BBC business rate but check this

You do get a payment from them for all Direct debit payments each month Its not much

You also get a Debit and credit card

Debbie I use a pre paid master card that you can top up for free from your uk bank and theres no charges for withdraw anywhere in the world on the card and no fees for using it you simple credit it with the country currency you are in a great way to avoid charges and fees and safe way to keep your cash

I would recommend you open a 123 Account with Santander in the UK. No charge and good rate for cash withdrawal from ATM. As and when you move to Spain open an account with Santander. You will need a Spanish account to pay utility bills etc.

Excellent advice! we have a Sabadell account for our bills but kept our UK Santander 123 account for cash withdrawals from Santander ATMs....no ATM fees and an excellent rate.

I thought I'd mention this on here. I was on the phone to First Direct today and was told that legislation came into force wef 1st April 2017 affecting all UK banks whereby an EU expat can no longer open a UK account (a tightening of identity verification issues).

As far as First Direct is concerned, I was told they have no issue whatsoever with a Brit expat in Spain continuing to hold and use the account if no longer UK resident, but they stressed that the expat must have opened the account before they left for Spain; the expat can't open an account once they've left the UK. Apparently, they have 40,000 expats using their UK account.

I was also told by First Direct that the only issue with maintaining the account whilst being an expat is that the overdraft and credit card limits can't be increased once you leave the UK. I don't know if that is just First Direct policy or for all UK banks, but it's something worth checking.

So, Debbie, it seems that you definitely need to get the right UK bank account before you leave for Spain because, since 1st April, once you've gone, you can't get one

This is not new. Lloyds (where I have had an account for 44 years) told me ages ago that I could not open another account until I had returned to the UK and been resident for 6 months.

It seems that what is new is the standardising of UK banking regs from 1st April. I know that in the past, some banks have allowed it, whilst others haven't.