Gary and Tracey
 

Hi everyone
This is our first time on here and we are going to move to spain next year.
We are moving somewhere between Alicanti and Valencia but need a good honest lawyer who can help us, is there any recomendations.
Also which is the most favourable bank to go with.
We don't need a mortgage as we are in a lucky situation its just to pay bills and for savings.
Thanks in advance
Gary and Tracey

Re: Gary and Tracey
 

banks are often a point of conversation on Spain forums as they can be expensive to maintain unless you have a certain amount put in every month such as UK pensions etc. There are a lot of posters that use free online banking to pay direct debits and recurring bills. Wise Online is a very popular online bank which you may want to consider:

www.wise.com

Steve

Re: Gary and Tracey
 

Take a look at the wefferent account from CajaMar (Caja Rural). They are a 'real', Spanish bank and offer free banking with no catches to residents and non-residents alike

Thanks
I will take a look on there website

thanks Steve, I never figured it would be so difficult finding a good bank
i will take a look

Re: Gary and Tracey
 

As mentioned there are no good banks here. Just average ones, but unlike the uk it still helps if you cultivate a relationship with them
We have Santander Spain (not the same as UK santander) and have never had any issues.
Until you are fully resident (with a TIE) you will have a non resident account which usually comes with a monthly charge...
As you are moving here to get the account for free, you have to deposit a set amount each month, use the debit card (you won't be offered a credit card for a couple of years) and have your bills paid by Dd then the fee is waived... We save €20 a month by compiling with the above.
Other banks may have different conditions.

​​​​​​Ma ke sure if you sell property, take the tax free amount from private pensions etc you do it in the Spanish tax year before you move as otherwise you may have to pay CGT. Tax year here is Jan to Dec. You will need to find a gestor or accountant to do your first return...

​​​​​​I' m assuming that you have uk passports so you have the visa you need to move over with.
If one of you has an EU passport then life is easier for you....

There are some great places in the area you have chosen but it's a huge area...
Have you been out for some trips to narrow the area down?

Re: Gary and Tracey
 

WISE is not a bank!

Re: Gary and Tracey
 

yes thank you for pointing that simple error out to us all. Wise is a money transfer company that will pay your direct debits and you can have savings that earn interest. But it is not a bank :cool:

Steve

Re: Gary and Tracey
 

There are many here would deem 'honest lawyer' an oxymoron.

One golden rule, when purchasing a property NEVER use any lawyer recommended by an estate agent, always get your own independent one. Even then when you shake hands count your fingers after!

I was looking at santanda this morning
Thanks


I will keep that inmind
Thanks

Re: Gary and Tracey
 

The most important thing you need to establish is whether or not you can move to Spain-Do you have EU passports ie is at least one of you a EU citizen?
If not then you will have to get a Visa,the type you apply for will depend on your circumstances-eg retired or will you be working etc. and you will need to show how you can support yourself.
And of course you must apply for the visa from outside Spain,I assume in your case the UK

Re: Gary and Tracey
 

The bank N26 is another option you could consider.

Fully digital so no branches. Standard account has no fees except for €10 for debit card if required. Spanish IBAN means no issues with other European IBAN are refused for bills by some organisations Possible to open an instant access savings account currently paying 2.26% interest. Has some element of Wise built into it for transfers.

Re: Gary and Tracey
 

Have either of you got an EU passport?

If not, I'm sorry to say it's a bit of a non starter unless you already know that you will qualify for one of the third country visas.