Banking - Page 5

Duncan, I'd be genuinely interested to know more about interest rates you might be accessing at Bankia. If you don't want to post it on here you can pm me?

Hi. Happy to discuss as it's not exclusive to me. Currently acheieve 1.89% instant access account which is better than the UK. I know you have to pay for a bank account in Spain but I believe the service is much better. Bankia were brilliant with us. Explained everything and the app has everything you need. I can even look at the stock exchange and global markets at a swipe of a finger. I manage my accounts and currency is moved easily. 

RayD, I do take offence when you go on about your committment to Spain as if non residents aren't committed.The greatest majority are committed enough to have planned for their uncertain future by buying prematurely and having to bear the brunt of maintaining homes in 2 countries costing twice as much as you pay out. Dont you dare think you are so priviliged just because your circumstances allowed you to sell up and move because you have no right to judge why non residents are not in your position to walk away from the country you earned your living in to enable you to give up your committment to your birth country. 

You talk about your paying tax in Spain as though that gives you a right to look down on non residents, who pay our taxes in the Uk despite the extra committment to another country which doesn,t give us the priviliges you so enjoy. I also have to admit the greatest majority of resident expats I have met admit to having cheated the system by non disclosing assets and not becoming residents for years after moving to Spain. I,m not insinuating you are one of those people but I have met more that cheat than those who have done everything by the book. I fully believe if it weren't for the revenue non residents bring to Spain even paying taxes you dont have to, your taxes would be a lot higher, so you should be grateful for our input not derising us just because we are not in the position to give up our Uk lives yet. I hope I never adopt your derogatory attitude to the Uk if I ever become a resident, I see that attitude so much it makes me squirm with disgust. I wont get involved in Bobg,s theory of so called free bank accounts but I reckon he makes a good point of the poor exchange rate which is in effect an indirect charge.

Regards

Pauline.

My sentiments exactly I know lots of expats that still claim heating allowance from UK by cheeting the system. They come home to get there dental work done. In England our banks don't penalise Spanish or any other foreign person for having a bank account in fact they get more favourable mortgage rates. Spain should be no exception. 

Duncan Evans, are you resident or non resident as the original thread was enquiring about a non resident account with lower charges than Sabadells non resident account. I,d be interrested if your account is as a non resident

Regards

Pauline.

The notion that so many Brits have is that "they don't do it this way in the UK so why do they do it this way in Spain".

This is what is at the root of the problem. When you buy a house in Russia or China or Bali, or even Austria would you all be complaining that the banking system is unfair? No you wouldn't. You'd accept it's a foreign country and they do things differently. The idea that Spain should fall into line with Brit expectations is what makes people like Ray and I feel the way we do. Spain is a foreign country not a British dependency and the sooner some of you get over it maybe the happier you might be!

Hi Pauline. We are non residents. Our solicitor who is also brilliant recommended Bankia

I certainly dont have that attitude, I dont expect Spain to be like Uk at all, but I dont expect to be treated like a 2nd class citizen by my bank charging me more fees than my expat resident neighbour who gets a preferential treatment without charges. My money is as good as anyone elses. RayD,s attitude to non residents is appalling. We dont expect to be treated any less than equal. 

Regards

Pauline.

But you're not equal. You're non resident.

That is not equal, sorry, no matter how much you dress it up or complain.

Not aimed at you, but the Brits that enjoy all day sunshine, English breakfast with a beer for 5 euros, subsidised public transport, some of the best roads in Europe, beaches raked at dawn, reciprocal free health care, and so on, should accept that some banks charge small fees to operate an account. This is not a rip off, it's business, the way Spain does business. If you don't like it buy a caravan in Blackpool and use your free banking at a cash point there.

It's part of the EU and should be ruled under the same rules. Spain has recently had to change there policies to be in line with the EU for charging non residents more tax or Suma to sell a property