spanish bank accounts

Hmmm. My Wife and I have just been charged  15,03 ea by Barclays for the  NON RESIDENT CERTIFICATE. What a scandal the system is. It seems everywhere you look, you get hammered with a charge for being a non resident. I wonder how many non resident charges are levied by the UK authorities to EU member citizens with financial interests in our country?

Mark

I've just closed my account with Solbank as the fees had doubled, apparently they had changed my account to an all singing and dancing one when as a non-resident all I wanted was an account to pay my household bills.  They offered to change it back but it was too late. 

I've now joined the majority and have an account with Halifax.  No fees as long as an average balance of 600euros is kept in account over 6 months, as I normally operate my account this way this shouldn't be a problem.

Logged on today and registered for internet access so now all up and running.

Thanks for the advice, I suppose really it all depends on what your personal circumstances are and how you intend to use your account.

It will be interesting to see how the two banks compare after 6 months of use.

Bnacaja had staff on the streets in San Pedro this morning handing out leaflets in english to people - saying no bank charges euro transfers fre and in the eu up to 50k€ free of charge to other banks as well.

Also no charges for standing orders and direct debits and the best bit - up to a 500 euro free overdraft facility to pay bills - this is a great idea as usually in SPain one receives the paper bill a week after they try to deduct it form the bank. No problem for people with money in accounts, but if you have to closely moniter your money (being in sales and self employed I do) then suddenly dds get refused as you have no idea when they come and for how much!

I may well open with them! Especially as you get a free t-shirt!!!

Im pretty sure they are aoiming at english speaking residents as it says

" We are a Spanish savings bank that offers its private individuals residing on the coast a 100% cost-free current account.

No hidden charges   no small print, no asterisks...we beleive that service doesnt have to cost

We are a savings bank that really listens  to what our clients need and really take on board what poeple like you have been insisting on for years on the coast FREE BANKING

1) Free account maintenance - NO CHARGE

2) Transfers in euros free in Spain and the EU up to 50,000 euros. EU directive number 2 560/2001 - NO CHARGE

3) Free Visa credit card to use 12 times a year for your purchases - NO CHARGE (might mean 12 months a year perhaps??)

4) Free change of all standing orders and direct debits - NO CHARGE

So say goodbye to traditional banking, come in and open an account at Bancaja! Well change all your standign orders and direct dbits for you, and youll enjoy the best service at NO EXTRA COST

On the flip side (also all in english) it asks if your bank provides a free of charge overdraft facility of up to 500 euros to pay for utility bills.

There were 8 staff trundling over the street this morning obviously to take advantage of peeps at the Feria!

They have a website you can check www.banjaca.es it has an english page

Oh and another bit I liked was if their cash machine isnt working, they allow you to take out money elsewhere and cresdit your account with double the commission you get charged - now THAT will incite me to bash thei machines and claim the commission!!!!

I queried the non resident fee with my bank before I saw this thread. I received the response today:

We would like to inform you that these charges correspond to the Non Residents Certificate in order to confirm that your fiscal residence is not in Spain. This certificate is compulsory issued every six months by the Bank of Spain for every account holder to check that situation.

It seems Barclays want to make us pay 15€ each (hooray, i just found the Euro button on my keyboard!!!) every 6 months. I think we may be moving banks too!!

Mark

Strange I thought it was every two years, I was with Solbank for 4 years and I only dealt with this once.  It was due to be renewed after 15th October, another reason why I changed Banks as they sent me a form earlier this year and the charge for doing this was really high.

I know my memory isn't what it once was but even I would remember if this was being renewed every six months.

Hi Rixxy

Am a bit confused as I went to the link bancaja.es as you suggested and it was basically a holidng page for a number of financial institutes - including Santander, Banco Credito etc.  Which is the one that was handing out the leaflets as I couldn't find a link specifically to a Bancaja.

muchas gracias

EEEEK - My keyboard has dyslexia!

Sorry guys it is www.bancaja.es (I must admit when I forst wrte it, it dodnt look quite right!)

I spoke to the Halifax today about transferring our current account. They have confirmed that if we take the Xtra account, the charge wil be 25€ pa per account. With this account, there is no need to keep an average 600€ to avoid charges and there is a 3€ pa charge for a debit card. Just what we need for day to day use.

Mark

Hi

I realise there are some fees to pay, but not the general dy to day ones. We would rather take the risk of the 25€, especially in the first year as we may not be able to keep the 600€ average in for the opening months. and whatever they are, they are cheaper than the many that Barclays want us to pay, as well as the 10€ quarterly charge (reduced as my wife is staff).

Mark

How safe is money deposited with Bancaja Es ?

Are there any Goverment backed  ban insurance schemes as in the UK?

Regards,

Rapp

When I changed over from Solbank to Halifax I gave them the details of everything I paid by direct debit including the original agreement I signed for the tv.  This was the only thing I was concerned about but as normal I was told "no problem". 

I have been checking the account daily and have found it's been taken out, phew!  

Well done Halifax