Which bank is the best?

Spanish banks are a little like UK civil servants, always act as if they are doing you a favour by allowing you to be one of their customers.

Accounts for non residents are quite expensive and seem to just increase their quarterly fees when they feel like it. Plus charging for every thing you do unless you buy their overpriced home insurance or whatever.

For residents not so bad as, if you meet their T&Cs, you will get free banking. I have been with Bankinter which was charging me a fortune every time I did something with them so closed that. Then with Cam (now Sabadell) which kept increasing prices. Moved to Bancaja which became Bankia and now Caixa. As a resident and pensioner, I just need to pay a minimum of €300 a month (used to be 200),or  use my credit card 3 times in one quarter which is very easy as they simply take out the money on the 1st day of the next month and no charges. Or have a minimum of 3 direct debits per year, again easy with water, electricity, council tax and so on. That way I get free banking and have never been charged for anything since moved to them about 12 years ago.

Other banks do the same with different rules so always check first. Plus, like UK, many branches are closing down and you may have a trek to get to the next one if it does.

I've been with Caxia Hola Bank for about 7 years but have never paid as much as 1c in charges.

I have 2 pensions going in each month and that's it, I don't need to have any DD's or use the credit card.

You can apply for the account online.

Thank you for that information!

We use Caixa, they were excellent when my bank card was nearly scammed, went to an immense amount of trouble to replace it etc. I had cancelled it myself through their online system.

But their branches have recently closed in Javea, apart from one which is down at the far end of Javea, near a huge Masymas supermarket and which my Javea dwelling friends tell me is still referred to as the Barclay’s roundabout! But yes, they seem very good to me, compared to other Spanish banks.

Super helpful!  Thank you so much.