New Spanish Bank Account Recomendations

Please remember that Wise is not a bank. It is a Money Services Agency. It does however act like a bank with accounts that are run similarly to High Street banks and may well suit your needs. I opened an account with Cajamar 12 years ago and paid a 1000 euro bond ensuring I pay no bank charges for normal banking. That thousand plus (small) interest accrued is still there and still mine! Seek and I hope you find!

Spanish banks always seem to charge for everything including if you have a card.I opened an account with Bankinter in 2005 to pay bills etc.Today I use Revolut and I’m well aware that there are no UK protections for any money on the account but I only ever have a max of 1000 euros on it to pay most of my bills etc.

Thanks for this, its very helpful. 

Spanish banks do charge for non resident accounts as they are not used as much as a residents would be. It is the same in UK if you wanted to open a non resident account as a foreigner and, in most cases, they won't let you.

As a resident who pays in a certain amount each month (as a pensioner just 300 euro a month) and use the card plus direct debits I get no charges at all and haven't had for the 13 years we have been resident.

If I were a non resident I would pick something like Wise and ensure I only have enough in to pay my bills and direct debits. You can use it for withdrawals in Spain as well albeit a fairly low limit without charges. Wise uses a Belgian IBAN so classed as EU and no problem. 

You also have to pay a fee in Spain to submit a certificate of non residency every couple of years which you don't with Wise. Just don't put all your cash in it.

Thank you, I've had quite a few replies recommending Wise.