Euro bank account

Hi,

You need to ensure that.your UK Bank is a signatory to SEPA, Our euro acct is with Lloyds Gibraltar and.they aren't. So you need to check. We changed.our ELECTRIC Supplier to  Nordic as they were ok but have needed to retain our Spanish.Bank for water, IBI, Road Tax, etc.

Also as a source of euros in.cash.

Telplay will only accept Spanish Bank Account.

Hope that helps,

Bob and Sandra

Mojacar Playa and Puerto Lumbreras

The utility companies take their pound of flesh from us via direct debit from our Spanish bank account  with Sabadell in Vera who are very good and English-speaking. Although they haven't started doing it yet, Transferwise with whom we have a borderless bank account (transferwise.com) and who often have better rates than Currencies Direct and other exchange companies, will apparently soon be introducing direct debits from the Euro account. If they do this we might consider closing our Sabadell account which would reduce fees, we'll wait and see.

Personally I wouldn't use UK banks for for transfers, direct debits etc.They are usually slower and much more expensive.

Rob
Los Gallardos/Palomares

I find transferwise excellent and easy app to use and much better rates and no extra charges like HSBC. As I will be renting I can transfer money to my landlord for utility bills so at the moment don’t deal with utility companies directly - fingers crossed when that day comes Transferwise will have a direct debit facility.

I think you will need to have a Spanish bank account for transactions here. We use Sabadell - and also use Transferwise for moving money from UK accounts to Sabadell. We pay monthly rent and electric payments via the Sabadell account and this works OK. If you go into the branch office you do need to get in early as there are long queues otherwise.

We are with bankia. No problem and easy online access

I opened an account with Caixa bank - because I was told they have branches everywhere across Spain - and I have no complaints yet. They have a semi English web site and mobile phone app. They've always been friendly when Ive needed them. And when I was robbed of my bank cards recently were able to issue me a new card on the spot on production of my passport and knowledge of my bank account number, etc, for security purposes.

Bills are direct debited from this account. And I use a variety of currency exchange organisations to try and get the best exchange rate.

Thank you this is very useful.  I keep an eye on this.  Haven’t purchased yet and might be in place when we do.  Thank you