Bank and bank charges

Hi Anne, I have also been informed bank charges with La Caixa will be 35 euros per quarter, as of April 1st. I know that's April fools day but this is a joke.

They say that the account I have set up with CaixaBank will be a HolaBank Servicuenta, aimed at international customers. Like you say, there is no benefit to you. I am sure there will be many people in a similar position to us but, perhaps unware of it yet. I have read on another site that if you have several direct debits (your usual household bills) there won't be charges!!

 If you find a bank that doesn't charge I would be grateful if you could let me know.

Thanks, Les.

Received the same message from the bank a few days ago, quieried it with the manager and her response was 'head office have reviewed and updated all UK people who have an account with Caixa including the charging structure, a certain number of payments in, direct debits, and the issue of cards would be included in the charges' 

I had a quick look at the banks web page 'Holabank' to see what's included. Its pretty clear, however seems a bit steep so may look elsewhere however I fear they will all be similar. 

If you are non resident TransferWise is a good option. If resident maybe N26?

I am non resident so will have a look at Transferwise, thanks.

Search forum for TransferWise. Lots of info. Works well.

You need to open an account and then add a borderless account in euros which will give you a Belgian IBAN

Having had the same message from La Caixa and reading numerous posts on banking charges in Spain, and also the fact that La Caixa were initially going to charge  us and other non-residents €60 a quarter unless we deposited €700+ per month to receive free banking, this seems to be quite a good deal cheaper than other Spanish banks especially as we now will not be charged separately for our debit cards!!

Some posts have information regarding free banking in Spain for non-residents who only deposit smaller or irregular monies via internet based foreign exchange companies, like TransferWise or banks that are based in Spain. Unfortunately you can only open the accounts at the Spanish banks mentioned personally and not online!!

Hopefully you find a better deal, but I’ve still to see one that’s reliable. Might be me being pessimistic, but all the banks in Spain are now not restricted by EU law to what they can charge residents of the UK since we left!!!