Which bank has the least fees?

If you don't pay in a regular amount of around 650 EU a month into your account you will typically pay 30 EU a quarter in bank charges, this is unavoidable in Spain as in the UK, there's no such thing as free banking as they either have your money to use as they want or they charge you. 

The landing charge applies to figures over €50,000. When I bought my place, I used Hifx and they automatically split the money I was transferring into two payments. They explained when I asked them that it was to keep it below the 50000 limit. I’d speak to Currencies Direct if I were you to make sure they do the same. 

PS I’ve been with Sabadell and have no complaints. Their apps and website work in a number of languages and I had internet banking access from day 1. Charges are €30 a quarter as I’m non-resident but no charges for my debit card or anything else. 

Good luck with it. 

Shaun

Currencies Direct did the split for us also, and Sabadell charges are the same apart from 30eu a year for an extra card for my wife. 

We are non resident and pay 650€/month without paying fees into their expansion account, however we are not permitted to take out a credit card 

I think different branches interpret the rules how they like, when we joined our bank we had to be there in person yet I know someone who got there solicitor to do it for them at a different branch. It seems to be the Spanish way

Hi Jan06, if you as non residents pay 650€ mnth into expansion account to avoid fees, have you ever tried to withdraw cash from it in UK at an atm?. I have considered opening an expansion account but as non residents on pensions while living in UK couldnt imagine affording for spanish account to build up 650€ for half the year without needing it to live in UK. If you have drawn money in UK was it costly? If anyone else has drawn money from a Sabadell account in UK in £,s could you let me know if this was a more economic way of avoiding banking fees.I knew a french non resident who did this but he just withdrew €s to spend in France, so very easy.

Pauline.

Hi Pauline,

Could you transfer the money to Spain for a few days, then move it back to your English account? 

Hi Pauline

We haven't tried withdrawing from a UK bank but would imagine you would pay fees same as withdraw money from Spanish bank with UK bank account. You could try one of the online accounts offered by BBVA and Bankia I also believe Transferwise offers a no border account but not sure how that works maybe someone can advise you 

Hi Dazz, thats what I was asking about, either drawing from an atm in £s or the cost of transferring back to UK. We were persuaded to transfer 300€ quaterly from UK to ensure outgoing bills were covered but this didnt remove the fees and 700 mnthly is a stretch when not there. I feel sure some non resident must have got round it like the french man, just wonderring what the charges would be either returning back to UK(but not sure thats so easy) or drawing from atms which would be like holidaying in UK.

Pauline.