How do I avoid bank charges in my Spanish bank - Page 2

Would that be a Sabadell Key Account by any chance.

Yep. I only use it for bills. Use the debit card only for paying tolls from French border when we drive. Good online and App access

We are non Residentes same account but we are charged for our Direct Debits as well has €30 a quarter.

No way round it I’m afraid if you are non resident and are not paying in €600 plus a month. Free banking is also rare in the UK if you don’t meet similar criteria, just accept it’s something you need in Spain, can’t understand why people get so worked up about it, would you work for nothing. 

Can a non resident open an account? When I try it asks for a DNI number which I don't have, only a NIE number which it won't accept.

Hi

You don't need to have a spanish account to pay bills. It is possible to have your bills paid from your bank account in your homeland. Under SEPA ( single European payments area) direct debits can be set up in any of the eurozone countries. I started off by doing Iberdrola first and did them all one by one and then closed down my spanish account.

Hope this helps

Sabadell Expancion account is free when you transfer 700 euros in every month.

Is this another thing which will end post-Brexit?

Yes!

You could always think about getting a Transferwise borderless account in both UK and euros, along with a debit card, and use that debit card for purchases and bills payment.

Hello

We opened an online account with BBVA.  The online banking site is in English, it was a bit of hassle initially as we had to take our documents into the local branch but once up and running it has been fine and no charges yet (18 months).  You may need to take an interpreter if you have to go into a small branch with your documents as they are less likely to speak English but we were in Moraira at the time and the staff their spoke good English.  This particular account does not come with a cheque book.  If you go into the branch to pay any bills directly it can be expensive but we seem to be able to make payments using online banking without any charges.