I live is Spain so it maybe different for you Halifax but have you considered having your state pension paid in Spain.
I get mine every four weeks, the exchange rate is as good as any one will get and there are no charges at either end.
I also found that when I changed my bank in Spain, the Pension Service accepted the details over the phone and the funds were correctly transferred the following month.
Even for people staying say 3 months that might be a reasonable option, as long as they have a bank account in Spain (might I add: with almost any bank other than Barclays or the Halifax)