Spanish Bank Account - monthly charges?

[paul44]

I am a non resident at the moment and on my last trip over opened an account at sol bank it's free so long as you deposit at least 700 euro's a month but that's it you can move the funds out right after the deposit if you wish debit cards were mailed in just a week and we actually got our pins on the day of the visit to the branch in Benalmadena because we had sent them through a lot of personal stuff a week or so before.

Very happy with them they have English speekers in the branch and I don't think the whole deal took more that 30 mins to complete

[NickZ]

Outside of having a local branch to ask for help is there a reason to use a Spanish bank over one in a home EU country? Assuming Eurozone and no problems with things like ATM fees.

[agua642]

I use La Caixa and Cam as a resident I get charged maintenance fees as far as I m aware there's always going to be a charge of some description! However I find La Caixa the best out of the two I've mentioned, and possibly one of the stronger Spanish banks. Cam has just been taken over by Sabadel but I think there customer service is crap! understatement!! Plus lots of problems.. go with La Caixa they also have English speakers in most branches

[Alcalaina]

I'm with La Caixa (resident account) and I don't pay fees, except an annual charge for a debit card (€18 I think, free in the first year) and 35 cents a month postage for printed statements.

[Alcalaina]

Originally Posted by NickZ

Outside of having a local branch to ask for help is there a reason to use a Spanish bank over one in a home EU country? Assuming Eurozone and no problems with things like ATM fees.

ATM fees are very high. Even Spanish bank ATMs charge 3% if your bank isn't on the same network.

[thrax]

We are with Cajamar and no charges for us. However, they do charge an enormous €3 for replacement cards. I think I might have a go at Steve's idea next time. I did have to pay postage for monthly statements until I told them that as I have online banking with them, monthly statements were useless to me so please stop them. The postage charges stopped but the statements still arrive!!

[thrax]

There are a couple of Spanish banks who let you open an account online.

[m3mpower]

Originally Posted by Alcalaina

ATM fees are very high. Even Spanish bank ATMs charge 3% if your bank isn't on the same network.

Hi
So if i open an account with sabadell for example, and i withdraw money from Cam ATM, i get charged 3%, is that correct?
Is that on credit cards or also debit cards?


Thanks

[m3mpower]

Originally Posted by thrax

We are with Cajamar and no charges for us. However, they do charge an enormous €3 for replacement cards. I think I might have a go at Steve's idea next time. I did have to pay postage for monthly statements until I told them that as I have online banking with them, monthly statements were useless to me so please stop them. The postage charges stopped but the statements still arrive!!

Hi
Apart from €3 for replacement cards, which i presume is for lost cards / broken or faulty chips...etc, are there any other charges? like maintenance or fees for having a debit card,
If no other charges, are there any conditions, ie, pay in a minimum of "certain amount" per month?

Thanks

[m3mpower]

Originally Posted by paul44

I am a non resident at the moment and on my last trip over opened an account at sol bank it's free so long as you deposit at least 700 euro's a month but that's it you can move the funds out right after the deposit if you wish debit cards were mailed in just a week and we actually got our pins on the day of the visit to the branch in Benalmadena because we had sent them through a lot of personal stuff a week or so before.

Very happy with them they have English speekers in the branch and I don't think the whole deal took more that 30 mins to complete

Hi
Sorry to ask, i have just googled sol bank and it's coming up as Sabadell, i guess that's what it's called?
That's great if they don't charge fees at all, and if someone can pay in 700 euros per month and withdraw back if needed, it's perfect.
Do they charge you for statements and having a debit card like other forum members here have mentioned?

Thank you