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Hi,
Just wondering if anyone has managed to set up a standing order or direct debit from a UK bank? I am with Barclays who, according to Google are part of the European Sepa arrangement but they constantly tell me they don't do it. Any advice greatly appreciated. TIA.
Posted: Wed Jul 2, 2025 10:04pm
Helpful member
By far the easiest way is to set up a modern account like Wise or similar.
They give you a Belgian Iban bank account and DDs and standing orders are not an issue.
LeoMac7 wrote on Wed Jul 2, 2025 9:23pm:
Hi,
Just wondering if anyone has managed to set up a standing order or direct debit from a UK bank? I am with Barclays who, according to Google are part of the European Sepa arrangement but they constantly tell me they don't do it. Any advice greatly appreciated. TIA.
I think that would be difficult and expensive. Set up a Wise account and get it done easily!
Steve
Posted: Thu Jul 3, 2025 4:54pm
Hi. Maybe do it through Smart Currency Exchange. I have my pension paid into Nationwide, then a DD set up to Smart Currency for most of it. They then pay it into our Sabadell account at a good exchange rate into Euros. They have an office in Benijofar.
There is actually insufficient information here. What is the DD for? If, for example, it is for Tax then a Spanish (ES) IBAN is needed. For many others any (ideally EUR denominated) account will do. There are plenty of options, mostly online. STARLING is one UK based option but there are plenty more.
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deejayeh wrote on Sun Jul 6, 2025 5:39pm:
There is actually insufficient information here. What is the DD for? If, for example, it is for Tax then a Spanish (ES) IBAN is needed. For many others any (ideally EUR denominated) account will do. There are plenty of options, mostly online. STARLING is one UK based option but there are plenty m...
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...ore.
I want to set up a standing order to regularly top up my Spanish bank account to cover my bills.
LeoMac7 wrote on Mon Jul 7, 2025 10:44am:
I want to set up a standing order to regularly top up my Spanish bank account to cover my bills.
We used Currencies Direct when we doing the same thing. Always on time with a good exchange rate. Of course, it won't be the same amount each time due to currency fluctuations.
LeoMac7 wrote on Mon Jul 7, 2025 10:44am:
I want to set up a standing order to regularly top up my Spanish bank account to cover my bills.
In that case a Direct Debit is an expensive way of doing it. Much better to get an online EUR denominated account and set the DD from there. The trick is to minimise fees and maximise exchange rates.
marcliff wrote on Mon Jul 7, 2025 10:53am:
We used Currencies Direct when we doing the same thing. Always on time with a good exchange rate. Of course, it won't be the same amount each time due to currency fluctuations.
Shopping around currencies direct are easy and convenient but definitely not the cheapest
tebo53 wrote on Thu Jul 3, 2025 8:26am:
I think that would be difficult and expensive. Set up a Wise account and get it done easily!
Steve
A friend has informed me that they use their Nationwide account no problem so going to try them. Cheers
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