Changing Bank

[Blue and white stripes]

I am serious considering changing my spanish bank from BBVA to Starling following recommendations on here. I can't meet their criteria for free banking so I'm being charged 40 euros a quarter.
Is there a spanish 'bank switching service' or do you have to do the whole thing yourself?
Starling appear to be the way forward - has anyone had any bad experiences with them?
Thanks in advance,
Dave

[Mallard]

I’ve been with Starling over 2 years and happy.
Brexit caused spanish banks to decide they could not debit the euro account with the various bills , notably the water company Hydragua and the community charge.  The first few months were a headache trying to ring and incredibly they would accept payment by starling card. At one point Sabadell wanted an extra 18€ to receive moneys. This was for the community which I refused to pay. Now with no explanation the community and water company are back sending debits through as before. The electricity co has just carried on normally.
I’m awaiting the SUMA to see if they debit . At the end of the when non resident tax is due I sent money to my Gestoria who then paid it on to the relevant authority, apparently this has to come from a Spanish Bank account. Of course it may be different now.
All in all glad I closed the Sabadell account , which incidentally took about an hour and a half in their office to extract my 100€ from them . The charges were ridiculous.

[Derek]

Dave

I am with BBVA and do not pay a Euro is bank fees.

They run a totally free account. The guy in the GA branch set it up for me a couple of years ago and it has been perfect.

Derek

[Derek]

Bank accounts without commissions
With BBVA Accounts, you do not pay commissions on online transfers within the EEA or on debit cash withdrawals at BBVA ATMs

taken off their website just!

Derek

[Blue and white stripes]

Thanks Derek but it says for new clients only.
For the rest of us free banking starts with inter alia
1) a monthly pay-in of 800 euros or 300 pension +
2) 5 bills within 4 months or 7 purchases on their credit card +
3) mortgage, savings or insurance or 200 euros every 4 months on their credit card.
or 4000 shares or savings of 25000 euros.
The requirements drop for charges of 15 euros a quarter but if you can't meet the above it's 40 euros a quarter.
(See attached)

[Derek]

Hi Dave

I went into the GA branch. Free banking or you lose the account. Simple. I only transfer money into my account when it suits me. I think it might be a problem now unless you are a resident re Brexit.

Certainly worth a visit if you are in GA.

Derek

[Blue and white stripes]

Thanks Derek, I'll give it a go next week.

[BeachLife]

Hi B&W - Like Derek, I am not paying any fixed fee's for my BBVA account (at the moment)

It is a legacy account and I got it when I bought my house in 2006. Did have a mortgage with them which is now clear and I pay all of my direct debits through them, which for me is every bill I have in Spain.

[Sookie]

We have switched all payments over to our wise account. We went to the hidraqua office in Santa Pola to change our direct debit with them Done the same with Suma. Our gas was done online via chat.  Still got to sort the electric out which at the moment we pay when the bill comes in. We were with deutsche bank. Account was closed down within a few mins with no problems.

[ian-steele]

not sure if i am on your chain of thoughts, i have a key a/c plus with Sabadell, my direct debits to community....water...electric...suma....non resident tax etc plus my regular 3 monthly transfer in from my english bank have no additional charges. Maybe my quarterly fee of €40 to run the a/c plus with a debit card for hole in wall withdraws & using the card for shopping etc is the reason for no additional euro's taken.

[DaveG]

We have switched all payments over to our wise account. We went to the hidraqua office in Santa Pola to change our direct debit with them Done the same with Suma. Our gas was done online via chat.  Still got to sort the electric out which at the moment we pay when the bill comes in. We were with deutsche bank. Account was closed down within a few mins with no problems.

If it's any help and if you don't already have this Curenergia have an English speaking Customer Services. It's about 18 months since I used this but they were very helpful. Tel 900 322 044 or from UK 0034 916 496 330. Or there is the shop in SP if you're in Spain.

[Derek]

not sure if i am on your chain of thoughts, i have a key a/c plus with Sabadell, my direct debits to community....water...electric...suma....non resident tax etc plus my regular 3 monthly transfer in from my english bank have no additional charges. Maybe my quarterly fee of €40 to run the a/c plus with a debit card for hole in wall withdraws & using the card for shopping etc is the reason for no additional euro's taken.

Sorry to say Ian I think you are on the wrong track. You pay 4 X 40 Euros a year being 160 Euros vs zero with a BBVA online account. What do you get extra for paying 160 Euros nothing I would suggest.

Derek

[Sookie]

If it's any help and if you don't already have this Curenergia have an English speaking Customer Services. It's about 18 months since I used this but they were very helpful. Tel 900 322 044 or from UK 0034 916 496 330. Or there is the shop in SP if you're in Spain.
[/quote]

Many thanks will give them a call.

[ian-steele]

Derek, maybe I am getting ripped off by sabell bani, used them since 2005, all my out payments are taken care of transfers in from my Santander UK bank,   debit card  for free withdrawals & paying careless shopping bills. If there is a better way of avoiding 160 euros per annum please advise me.

[Ron l]

I have a account with sabadel bank just checked my quarterly charges,
On 24/12/20 I paid 36-40. Now I’m paying 54-80