Bank Fees for 'holding an account as a resident'

It is indeed now common for the Spanish 'high street' banks, if I can call them that, to introduce a fee structure of some sort, or to offer 'conditions' like yours for avoiding charges. I now have to pay my own bank, Sabadell, 60 euros a year in fees whereas before my account was free. I did consider moving, but concluded that the hassle, plus the benefits of banking with Sabadell, just about made a small fee tolerable. if they hike the fees up more, however, I will think about moving.

A well known former poster and guide writer on this site speaks highly of the Cajamar Wefferent account, which he moved to late last year when his bank Bankia introduced charges. It's administered online but you can open it in branch. You get a debit card which can be used at their 1200 ATMS and you can use it at other ATMs up to four times a month for amounts of 50 euros or more.

I have to say though, if BBVA is offering to waive fees if you take out their credit card, providing there are no hidden fees with this, it might be your best course of action. Surely you use a debit card now for things like grocery shopping and fuel? I certainly do, and I use it much more than seven times in four months. Just use the credit card like a debit card for your normal monthly purchases.

I think the fund investment might mean having 5000€ +/- in your account not an actual investment, check with your bank.

I keep a minimum amount in my account with one of the well known banks mentioned on here and pay no fees at all.

If you're a pensioner you can have free banking with Bankinter. I also have a credit card that has no admin fee. I use it all the time and have arranged that the bank pays my bill every month before any interest becomes due.

It works fine so far. I'm still waiting for the catch... 

Thanks, I should have said, I'm not a pensioner and live from a work pension.

I don't think it matters that it's a private pension, It's more important that there is money coming in indefinitely. It might be worth asking.

Hi

We live in the UK have a home in Spain for 16  years, our bank , Bankia have charged us for the last couple of years and they charge us 14 euros a month

We had been banking with Sabadell for the last 10 years and always swallowed the fees. We believed we needed a spanish bank account. This is not true. We now have free banking with STARLING and save 240 euros a year.