I’m not happy with my bank! - Page 5

Am living on Mallorca. For 9 months now. Follow this forum because I think I have to move to mainland Spain. It is far too expensive to buy something decent here alone. 4-5 times more expensive than in your area. Am thinking of smth quite big. 3 double bedrooms. Have to think about grandchildren, eventually. Am 54 years old. Divorced.

That was a digression. Am not British. ( Norwegian). Have found banco Sabadell quite helpful. Had to have a Spanish account when applying for residencia. Card- zero payment. Everything really. The Lady at Sabadell were very helpful.

Just read your helpful reply regarding banks.  We are non resident with holiday home. We bank with Sabadell Bank and have the same problems.  We cannot access our account on line despite telephoning help line numerous times.  No one speaks English and charges are high despite being told when we opened the account back in 2018 that there are no charges if you pay 800 euros in each month which we have done.  Can you have A debit card From Transfer Wise/Wise to use for purchases when in Spain?

Bernard82

Yes. You can have a debit card which allows you to spend in any currency. I think there is a £5 one-off charge for it.

Many thanks.  Do most shops etc in Spain accept the debit card

I haven't used mine yet but it's a MasterCard so I assume most places will take it.

Haven't been following since my last reply but can add the reason you must apply in branch is their online application does not recognise a non resident NIE. When I changed from Sabadell in 2019 the full application was competed in first visit by bank clerk, however now I believe you apply in branch to be a customer (member of the bank), given an ID no. and then apply online yourself. The Cajamar bank is a "peoples bank" set up originally by a farmer in rural arrears for low income farmers as other banks in Spain charged fees that were considered unaffordable. We have not paid a single cent since 2019, still non residents, both have debit cards, all direct debits, atm use, online transferring to other entities. Couldn't recommend higher, very happy. 

Regards 

Pauline 

That is brilliant , thank you. I will see if there is a bank in the vicinity of La Zenia

Hello Thank you for the information about Transferwise! Can you tell me if my pension from U.K. can be deposited into this account? How do you pay for day to day purchasers? Do you get a debit card? Regards Sue

Hi Sue

I see no reason why you couldn't have your pension paid in to either the GBP or € account - they both have normal account numbers/IBAN. Not my area of expertise though as too young 😁. Maybe someone else can answer or start a thread if no-one sees your question here.

You can get a debit card for a fiver which is a MasterCard and widely accepted. However, I tend to use a no fee credit card but may start using the debit card next time I get over.