opening a Spanish bank account

You do not actually need a Spanish bank account. If you are going to be non resident then be aware that most banks charge a lot for keeping the account open. Unless you have shares in the bank, have all your insurances with them and pay a monthly fixed sum into the account (some around 700 euro a month minimum) then you will be hammered for charges. Something like 40 euro minimum a quarter and then charge for transferring money and declaring your non resident account to the tax authorities.

There are lots of online bank accounts with European IBAN numbers that give a better exchange rate, will pay direct debits and generally have no further charges. Ones like Wise, Currencies Direct, Revolut and others that pop up now and again. Just be aware they are not official regulated banks so don't keep too much in them (deposits not covered) but you can use the card to draw money out when visiting etc.

Lots of advice on these pages about the EU IBAN accounts especially Wise which seems to get a lot of votes.

As a resident, especially a pensioner, they are treated very differently. Non Residents not so much. 

Caxia Hola bank, designed for the purpose.

My  advice  and  how  I purchase  in Limonar  area recently.  I  did  NOT or will  not  open  a  Spanish Bank account   too  expensive  to  maintain  as previous  posts  have Stated. 

I  found Property  that  meet most of my needs.  I  agree  a figure  with  Estate agents.  They  were  looking  for 5k  booking/holding  fee which  is in fact there commission  or part  off. I  refuse  and said I  would  pay  it to  my Solicitors  Holdings account  or Escrow  account.  He  done search  and  gave  me the good  news.  That all was OK to release  deposit  to Estate agents.  I  then  sent   balance  of  purchase  price  to Solicitors  Holdings account  with a  3  transfer  as Bank  has a limited  on what  I  could  transfer  in 1  working  day. 

On  completion  day  Solicitors  draws  down a Banker draft  for  Notary  office. Process is  complete.  It  avoid  big  fee charged by Spanish Bank  for Banket draft.  I would also  recommend  that you look  into Wise Bank  for Domestic  bills  as you could pay  100  a  quarter  with Spanish  banks. Many  posts online  here with complaints  about  Spanish Bank.  I  wish you all the best 👍  with you  purchase  and hope you  enjoy  it

I need a Spanish a account when we brought our first property in Spain, charges are a lot higher than the U.K. When we brought our second property they charged us €750 to issue 3 cheques I have now cancelled my account & use a wise account, you can pay all your direct debits move money over from the U.K. you can use several different currencies which is great if you are holidaying in another country. The account is free if you want a card a one off payment of £2.50, the only downfall is you can’t get a joint account. Even our solicitor recommended opening it & not a Spanish account due the costs 

I've been using Wise Online Banking for around 12 years and never had a problem. 

I also have a Spanish bank account with Sabadell but as a resident with Pensions paid in direct I don't pay maintenance fees. 

www.wise.com

Steve 

We recently purchased a property and used a Wise account for the transfer of funds and for the solicitor to set up direct debits with no problems. Its free unlike the Spanish banks. You will need to open a sterling and Euro acvount . Its so easy and hassle free 

Worst bank ever. Had an account with this bank since they took over Bankia. They are now a commercial bank and only interested in selling you things you don't want.

The online banks ,especially N26 ,all have the EU bank guarantees,N26 is backed up by Germany,so money is safe as in any other bank.Just saying.

My husband and I, had a meeting with our bank sabadell yesterday, we have been paying  €40 every quarter we are residents have house Insurance and pensions going in, unless you have a mortgage or bank loan, you must pay this quarterly fee