rip off sabadell

All Spanish banks have high charges for non residents accounts. Sabadell is no different to the other banks. 

There are many posters on here that have switched to the Wise online bank and pay their direct debits etc through them. Check them out....

www.wise.com 

Steve

Thanks for that i will look into it. Also heard bbva do a non resident account but i am  getting conflicting advice from the internet  .Tried to ring them but always engaged.      pete

I have written many recommendations for Cajamar Bank and its weferrent account. Its an online account and we haven't paid a cent in fees since March 2019. The setting up since then has changed and as its a cooperative bank they may ask for a deposit( but that remains your money). Its run like any high street bank but its designed like a non profit credit union. Google website, disregard you need to be resident (we,re not) and read many posts on here about them including my many replies. 

Regards 

Pauline 

All Spanish banks charge excessive greedy fees relentlessly to expat accounts. When people say they haven’t had to pay any charges, it is inevitably because they have their pension or salary paid in every month, which is the only way you get free banking. As I’ve said countless times, I fail to understand why anybody still deals with greedy, mercenary, inefficient, banks with minimal opening times, antiquated and massively over bureaucratic banking systems, and still make you queue outside. The world has moved on, at the very least, banks like Wise, Revolut, Starling all offer excellent customer service, minimal fees and understand what international banking is all about in the modern world. All now have earlier issues with IBAN resolved - which was caused by the Spanish banks determination to make things difficult. all these banks offer a card to use, but in my case, although I have a Starling card, I find it easiest to have it registered with to Apple Pay on my phone. I can buy anything from a sandwich to a car deposit just by contactless on the phone.

You are wrong, not ALLSanish banks charge, our Cajamar account has not charged a cent in fees in past 18months.We are non residents and don't have any conditions like pensions being paid in nor do we have any insurances with them. We have no conditions, no minimum amount to leave in, no fees whatever. 

Regards 

Pauline 

I am not entirely 'wrong'. We found the was only one account with "free" banking, which was the online only account.

From Cajamar website FAQ:

"Does it really have no fees? Yes, as long as you operate over the internet."

"Can I carry out operations in branch? Of course, but face to face services will carry a transaction cost"

And as soon as you need to do anything online, we found all the information was predominantly in Spanish, which can be tricky for many.

How derogatory "Poundshop version"! The other banks you mention are also online only, having no branches to deal face to face anyway. At least if you need to go to a branch you have them at your disposal. That is the only time you will be charged for their involvement in undertaking a transaction. They do not charge for assistance or help with information. My own UK bank closed its branches in my town and I haven't needed to go into a UK branch for well over 10years, doing everything I need to online and I think majority of people today online bank too so not much change there then. As to transacting online, their English alternative in the app is excellent and I have never found it difficult at all even with my poor level of Spanish. There is also a dedicated english speaking telephone service. I do transfers, direct debits, atm use(free and unlimited) so what else do you need from your bank? As you don't bank with them I don't understand how you can even comment on their lack of English. I have recommended to many people and all have been highly satisfied. 

Regards 

Pauline 

Hi are you referring to Cajamar bank

I know the other banks I mentioned are all online only. That was the whole point. Cajamar,  like most Spanish banks, has an online website, but it is pretty poor as a non-native Spanish speaker even by Spanish banks standard. Had a quick look at there site again as I dont have their app. As soon as you go to "we can help "and FAQ, almost every option is only in Spanish as far as I can see. Absolutely not a problem if you speak Spanish but not great for expats who don't. I have had bank accounts, and property, in the area for 20+ years, including Bankinter, Bankia/Caixa, BMN and ones I cant remember. I don't think any of them charged for 'advice'! In addition to the recent hike in charges at the start of Lockdown, and the inability to close my Spanish accounts on line due to their antiquated systems (or deliberate plan to grab as much money as possible before we could get to Spain)  it was the also inability just to pop into my local branch when I did get to Spain to sort things out that made me finally see the light.

TBH you are a bit self contradictory - you like to be able to go into a branch if needed to have a face to face (and any  in branch transactions with  Cajamar will incur a fee) - but say you haven't been to one for 10 years! Personally I don't like spending ages queuing outside a bank waiting, even with having made an appointment. 

If you are happy with Cajamar, then no problem, I'm sincerely  glad for you, and not being sarcastic. Personally, due to the job I did, I have banked/worked/lived in a great many countries, and as mentioned have waded through a series of Spanish banks trying to find one that was even remotely up to the level I would expect.