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HSBC UK Debit Card fees in Spain

HSBC UK Debit Card fees in Spain

Old Nov 22nd 2013, 8:45 am
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Default HSBC UK Debit Card fees in Spain

I wonder if any members know about new HSBC charges.

I use my debit card for both cash withdrawals and purchases. For cash there is a charge of 2.75% - this has been the case for some time.

However, there are now additional charges appearing on my statement called 'non sterling transaction fees'.

Does anyone know if this new fee applies to purchases and cash withdrawals?

If so I think I had better try and change the way I pay for things in Spain!
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Old Nov 22nd 2013, 8:56 am
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Default Re: HSBC UK Debit Card fees in Spain

Originally Posted by lutonlad
I wonder if any members know about new HSBC charges.

I use my debit card for both cash withdrawals and purchases. For cash there is a charge of 2.75% - this has been the case for some time.

However, there are now additional charges appearing on my statement called 'non sterling transaction fees'.

Does anyone know if this new fee applies to purchases and cash withdrawals?

If so I think I had better try and change the way I pay for things in Spain!
Up until a year ago I used a Natwest Mastercard without any fees being charged for purchases, this has now changed to similar to what you describe.

I therefore opened a Norwich & Peterborough account and their debit card is totally fee free.
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Old Nov 22nd 2013, 8:59 am
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Default Re: HSBC UK Debit Card fees in Spain

Its ok for a while, esp if your on Holiday but its starting to piss me off now.

One example we sell items in Euros, I have to convert it back to sterling as I cant have a Euro Paypal account at the moment, then withdraw it to UK account at rip off rate then take it out the cash point and pay again.

I would try and open either a UK Euro account or maybe a non resident account in Spain, I used sabadell for ease and opened it from UK collected cards here, then use a company like Currencyfair to change money for you and they will transfer it from UK to Spanish account then only use the cashpoints for that bank, in my case Sabadell which are everywhere, infact more than when I first opened the account.

It really drives me up the wall, same as when you leave a 1 Euro tip and then realise that you don't have a euro for the trolley in Lidl.

Just learn quick, but that is what I would do, or just bring a lump of cash and exchange it bit by bit at the exchanges here, they are about 3 cents off what currency fair offer though.
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Old Nov 22nd 2013, 9:00 am
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Default Re: HSBC UK Debit Card fees in Spain

Originally Posted by Fredbargate
Up until a year ago I used a Natwest Mastercard without any fees being charged for purchases, this has now changed to similar to what you describe.

I therefore opened a Norwich & Peterborough account and their debit card is totally fee free.
Thanks Fred, something maybe I should have done before I came out, ill look into that maybe I can apply online. I think there are others too, citibank and First but thanks for the heads up on that one.
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Old Nov 22nd 2013, 10:38 am
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Default Re: HSBC UK Debit Card fees in Spain

Thanks for the replies.

I notice that Sabbadell bank offer a regular transfer service with no fees.

Trouble is, I've become a bit paranoid about protecting my UK bank details here in Spain.

So what's the cheapest way to buy Euros - is it in Spain or the UK?
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Old Nov 22nd 2013, 10:51 am
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Default Re: HSBC UK Debit Card fees in Spain

Currency fair or similar, or cash at the exchanges in Spain Costas or UK Cash Converters, you can also have a sterling account with Sabadell but i dont know the transfer rates, but im sure it will be less than the cash point.

Natwest Business only charge me 1 Euro per withdrawal I found out today
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Old Nov 22nd 2013, 11:09 am
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Default Re: HSBC UK Debit Card fees in Spain

The best UK Pound Euro on-line exchange rate that I can find is 1.1890, however, whichever card you order it on will most likely charge you 2.75%, so that takes it down to 1.1563. I went down to Sainsbury's with cash and got 1.1490, so really there is bog all in it.

How the card company/bank can charge 2.75% for something that it is not even supplying, beggars belief.
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Old Nov 22nd 2013, 11:27 am
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Default Re: HSBC UK Debit Card fees in Spain

I sent £500 from Natwest last night through CurrencyFair and €595.15 is now cleared in my sabadell account today, there was a €3 or £ charge, so I think it was 598.15 but that is better than going to the shop up the road and safer and less hassle. so I am happy with that service
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Old Nov 22nd 2013, 12:08 pm
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Default Re: HSBC UK Debit Card fees in Spain

Originally Posted by lutonlad
Thanks for the replies.

I notice that Sabbadell bank offer a regular transfer service with no fees.

Trouble is, I've become a bit paranoid about protecting my UK bank details here in Spain.

So what's the cheapest way to buy Euros - is it in Spain or the UK?
We use the same method as Fred i.e. N&P account in the UK. we darw cash out and pay for goods with no charges at the best rate on that day and simply walk into the Spanish bank. In our case Santander and pay it in over the counter. MetroBank offer same service.
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Old Nov 22nd 2013, 4:59 pm
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Default Re: HSBC UK Debit Card fees in Spain

Hi Lutonlad,

Santander do not charge for debit card cash withdrawals, as long as it's from one of their branches.... Seems to be plenty of them about. they also pay 3% interest on balances up to £20,000 (UK resident - 123 account)

Last edited by bolton wanderer; Nov 22nd 2013 at 5:01 pm. Reason: fat finger syndrome
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Old Nov 24th 2013, 10:02 am
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Default Re: HSBC UK Debit Card fees in Spain

I noticed recently that my Amazon UK Mastercard CC (Bank of America) had begun charging a 'Sterling transaction fee' on purchases made in Euros and other currencies. This charge in addition to their pretty poor exchange rate prompted me to be more careful and use my laCaixa debit card more locally and with online Euro transactions. It does mean I have to watch my local account carefully and be timely with Sterling transfers from UK. I use Currency Fair which usually transfers same day if I am on the ball in the morning so I get a much better rate and no mysterious CC transaction charges. As a safeguard I also took out a laCaixa Visa credit card in case a buffer is needed but it has a pretty low limit.

Last edited by rafikiphoto; Nov 24th 2013 at 10:04 am.
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Old Dec 5th 2013, 5:05 pm
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Default Re: HSBC UK Debit Card fees in Spain

I noticed the same thing on our First Direct account too, just shortly after we received a letter to say as we do not live in the UK, First Directory will no longer be available to us. The only reason we kept this service was because of the free worldwide transactions. This will affect all expats, and apparently a decision by the UK Government However, they are giving a grace period of just over a year, which is nice.

Shortly after cancelling the First Directory service, we did notice the non Sterling transaction breakdown, and after some investigation on First Direct's part (I was the first to query this), this is a change that has come into place to make all foreign currency transactions more transparent. I have been assured there is no difference in what I would normally have been charged before this change.

Having had two trips since this change, I can thankfully say that seems to be the case. So if you have a similar service as we had, it may be worth speaking to your bank to check if they will soon charge for non Sterling transactions. And most likely, unless you are registered as living in the UK, you will soon be charged for using your card for non Sterling transactions
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Old Dec 5th 2013, 10:35 pm
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Default Re: HSBC UK Debit Card fees in Spain

Originally Posted by Tinky
I noticed the same thing on our First Direct account too, just shortly after we received a letter to say as we do not live in the UK, First Directory will no longer be available to us. The only reason we kept this service was because of the free worldwide transactions. This will affect all expats, and apparently a decision by the UK Government However, they are giving a grace period of just over a year, which is nice.

Shortly after cancelling the First Directory service, we did notice the non Sterling transaction breakdown, and after some investigation on First Direct's part (I was the first to query this), this is a change that has come into place to make all foreign currency transactions more transparent. I have been assured there is no difference in what I would normally have been charged before this change.

Having had two trips since this change, I can thankfully say that seems to be the case. So if you have a similar service as we had, it may be worth speaking to your bank to check if they will soon charge for non Sterling transactions. And most likely, unless you are registered as living in the UK, you will soon be charged for using your card for non Sterling transactions
cant you keep a UK address too ?
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Old Dec 6th 2013, 7:45 am
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Default Re: HSBC UK Debit Card fees in Spain

Originally Posted by andyrich666
cant you keep a UK address too ?
Unfortunately no, we only have an address in Spain.
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Old Dec 6th 2013, 8:42 am
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Default Re: HSBC UK Debit Card fees in Spain

I just paid for two, one-way trips on Ryan Air.

Due to their stupid web site (or my incompetence) I paid for one trip in sterling and the other in euros.

Just seen the direct debit statement from Santander (UK) and noticed that the euro transaction was at a poor exchange rate PLUS they charged £1.25 for the transaction!

When did they start doing this?
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