Euro Account

grumbler

Ailega wrote: »

This looks like a good deal - have you any experience with it yourself?

No, I am happy with my Halifax Clarity + Aqua Reward.
Search the board for 'revolut' and you'll find some feedback.

grumbler

diamonds wrote: »

Would Barclays not be better ? Pay anything by debit card over the phone http://www.barclays.co.uk/Otheraccounts/Currencyaccounts/euroAccountndashTheidealeurobankaccount/P1242557963870

I don't understand the highlighted bit, but, AFAIK, this account comes without a card, so is pretty much useless for Italy.

diamonds

grumbler wrote: »

I don't understand the highlighted bit, but, AFAIK, this account comes without a card, so is pretty much useless for Italy.

Ask the board mod, not showing highlighted this end.


I corrected myself in the next post straight after I posted.

diamonds

Ailega wrote: »

Yes, the ING twitter team told me that their accounts are for residents only.


I think you have to be a high earner to qualify for the Barclays account which I'm not.


what type of account did you have carter allen bank?

I did not have one, its another high earner account though so prob not what you want, however all transaction come off on statement date. (Unfortunately it has not paid interest for years due to the Euro market rate)


https://www.caterallen.co.uk/euro-bank-account-for-individuals

diamonds

UK Bank of Cyprus seems your best bet

http://www.bankofcyprus.co.uk/personal/current-accounts/euro-online-personal-current-account/


€11 a quarter though for the account http://www.bankofcyprus.co.uk/media/7241/Tariff-Euro-OPCA-effective-1-Apr-2013.pdf

diamonds

Metro Bank €5 a month for a Euro Current when you have a Instant Access Account

(was in 2013) Edit: Sorry discontinued.


Metro card payments are free in Europe https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/Personal/Using-your-Debit-or-Credit-Card-abroad/


Apply for:

Metro Bank Instant Access Account can be done electronically online and digital checks are done, then apply for the Current AC on telephone banking as existing customer.

https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/Personal/Savings/Instant-Access-Savings/






Small fees with French bank unless you want a debit card that hikes it up http://www.britline.com

diamonds

https://www.caxtonfx.com/international-payments/send-money-globally#Sending-money-abroad-+-currencies

eDicky

Ailega wrote: »

I don't necessarily need a current account, just an account that I could pay sterling into from UK so I can pay bills for my property in Italy, make purchases and withdraw funds from ATM

For these purposes you probably don't need a euro bank account, just a suitable means of payment in euros, the same as for any euro zone travel:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards

The important thing is the cost and exchange rate when converting your pounds to euros. For expenses that require payment into an Italian bank account you can use TransferWise (0.5% fee) or Revolut (free), both at the perfect exchange rate.

Revolut have hired more staff and their CS has improved, but ATM withdrawals in excess of €650 per month now cost 2%.

SLZ

Your best bet is Comdirect.de, free banking with debit and credit cards and can be opened by non-German residents from the UK (or the world). You can pay your bills in Italy through SEPA payments.

If you want an account in Italy, pop down to your local Unicredit with your codice fiscale, proof of address etc and you can open an account but make sure you find an English friendly bank. I know that the major branches in Florence, Milan, Pisa and Rome have staff capable of dealing with English expats.

You can also get an account in France through Soci!t! G!n!rale at their ACPI branch in Paris if that's appealing to you but the Italian one would be best but Comdirect can be done from anywhere in the world without setting foot in Germany.