Location Advice Please - Page 3

Hi there. I'm really boring on this subject, as I always sing the praises for the Cajamar online account, Wefferent. Does everything you need and absolutely no charges. I use Wise, originally called Transferwise, to transfer funds from my UK account to Wefferent - Seemples. 😅

Mariion is being helpful in offering advice and I commend her. Opening a bank account in Spain is not like doing the same in the UK. In the UK the bank wants your business. In Spain the staff of the bank couldn't care less if you died in their Friday morning queue as they concentrate on purchasing their ONCE tickets or what's on television later. [I bet, you think I'm joking!].

A bank account in Spain is very important especially for a non resident. You need to pay bills through the bank system. The bank may have deals on insurance of your property and even travel insurance, perhaps health insurance too. Think before you open an account. The last thing you need is for some bank official to forget to put through your utility payments where you find yourself without water or electricity and the utility companies will do everything possible to make reconnection almost impossible. Try dealing with these while you're in the UK and it's difficult enough dealing with them while you're in Spain. 

Too often, people buying property in Spain allow the real estate agent to open any bank account. The real estate agent gets commission from the bank.  Ask people you trust which bank in Spain they do business with. Like Marion said above, beware of their charging system too.

Thank you both - Marion have just had a look at the Cajamar account and it seems to be ideal for non resident online banking activity.

Matthew - I had a quick look on the embassy website and didn't realise that if you apply in the UK you had to make representation in person.  No major challenge but that does mean a trip into London.  Is it still feasible and easy to make application in Spain?  If so, is there a local police station that has the facility to do that when restrictions are lifted?

Nick, It's in your own interest to make that trip in to London. I understand for people living in the north of England some sort of appearance in a designated Spanish consulate will do. Don't be fooled, open a Spanish bank account without a NIE number and you could find the account to be frozen and even without your knowledge. I must reiterate bank staff in Spain are not a replica of bank staff in the UK - you heard it here first!

Make the appointment with the embassy or consulate and do the lot in one (ask exactly what they want, utility bill, passport, etc). Then life will become easier for you when you approach any Spanish bank, believe me.

Hi there

My wife and I bought a property in Palomares in February this year(2021) we did some research before hand and obviously found out about the accident in the sixties and also the remedial work carried out to make the area affected safe or safer,it certainly didn’t put us off and it shouldn’t put you off either, best of luck in your search .

clive

Thanks Clive - much appreciated.

Any pointers on agents to use, lawyers etc?  Any areas to avoid in Palomares?  How long did it take to complete the purchase?  Are you relocating permanently to Spain?

Sorry for all the questions but it would be great to get some first hand advice from someone who has just gone through the process.

Best regards

Hi Nick

Yes we plan to permanently move to palomares in the not too distant future,we bought through Next stop almeria (website),I dealt with Paul and he was/is fantastic,we stay in touch with him ,  solicitor wise we used Mundi Abogados ( Maria Maroto) as suggested by Paul also they were great,Maria got our NIE numbers , sorted out utilities and set up our bank account and direct debits , the purchase took around 8 weeks to complete , very stress free , Hope this helps.

Clive