Bankia blocked account

This has always worried me but when our cards were blocked, for not updating something, luckily we were in Spain and went in the bank (Sabadell) to update the paperwork and at the same time I asked them what would have happened to our direct debits' if we had not been able to do this so quickly and the bank said they would not stop paying the drect debits. 

So  I suppose the safest thing is to always have the account topped up enough to pay these bills in the event of this kind of thing happening.

I would hope all banks would still pay the bill's if the money is there.

Thank you for replying so quickly.

I do have money in my account to cover direct debits, but I still think money can't come out - it's no problem putting money in, or does blocking an account mean that you just can't use your card?

Thanks, Paula

I'm not in Spain and I do speak a little Spanish, but not enough to discuss my account with the bank.

It's a relief to hear that my standing orders will still be honoured.

Thank you for your help.

Paula

As Jan and RayD have said it should not be a problem getting your Direct Debits paid, it is just using your card and lifting cash that are blocked. Always best to make sure that you have some funds in your account to cover bills and although not ideal having some cash to cover expenses until you get the issue sorted out. No experience of Bankia but with Sabadell we have found them to be very friendly and professional with English speaking staff as our Spanish is still limited ( we are making efforts with that ), so no need to panic it will soon get sorted.

Thank you, all this information is useful.  I did go to Spanish lessons here in England, but as I'm not in Spain often enough I'm getting rusty. I can get by in shops but am working on it like you.

Thanks again everyone for your help.

Paula

Hi Paula we had the same issue with banko popular last year. I sent 5,000 euro from the uk January 2018 to cover our costs etc, 2 weeks later it still wasn't in my account. Contacted Barclays who said it was sent within 2 working days so contacted banko popular who said my account was blocked and my monies hadn't been released and was being held. They didn't pay any direct debit even though we had enough to cover things I had to contact all firms myself by email stating the situation I was put in and thank god they were all understanding. The bank didn't a hoot apparently my passport needed updating with the same details I gave when opening the account. Anyway good luck 

Hi Paula, I had the same problems with Bankia about 2 years ago.  They did not pay the electricity and water bills.  They took out the mortgage as it was with Bankia.  Luckily I came to Spain and saw a letter from Iberdrola in the letter box advising me that the bill has not been paid, They did not cut off the electric, they gave me time to pay.

Went to the bank with passport and bills got paid.  I had more than 2,000 € in the bank at the time, they could have notified me before stopping the direct debit but no such thing.  Didn’t get an apology either.

I now check my account online every week.

Thank you for your information.  I will email Iberdrola tomorrow and explain the situation to them.  

Paula

Hi 

Go into the bank and speak with them we done that and they updated all the details i think all the branches have english speaking 

staff.

Hope this helps