Free Banking In Spain ?

Hi Guys

I am currently with Banca March and they seem to be charging me for even breathing nowadays. I am a non-resident which I pay the bank for the privilidge but they also charge me for maintaining my accounts every 6 months and charge for every direct debits/transfer online, ATM card etc....

My questions is I assume all banks charge in Spain for some things but which is the best bank for a non resident to minimise charges and are there any decent savings rates or fixed rate accounts etc???

Regards

Hi

See this website for more information. Spanish Banks are charging some of the highest fees in Europe.Maybe other Forum Members can advise you also. I do not think you will get any decent Investment rates anywhere in Europe. EU Bank Rate  now at .25%

http://spain.angloinfo.com/money/banking/choosing-bank/

Good luck

Regards

Typically you should pay as a non-resident.

A maintanence charge usually 10-15 Euros a quarter

A non-resident certification fee every two years of say 30 Euros

If you have a credit card an insurance fee of 40 Euros per year for which you should reqest a refund. This year we got 50% back. This charge is because the banks don't typically charge merchant fees as they do in the UK.

Anything else I would suggest is not typical.

Saludos

Juan

Caja Mar offered me free banking if I became a shareholder in the co op, I would  pay 1,000 euros which would be returnable if I moved my account.

My OAP is paid into Cajamar I get free banking.

My wife, gets free banking as she has 6,000 euros in 'bank shares'.  She gets 3.9% gross interest on the 6,000 (58 euros less tax per quarter)