Accessing savings in Spain

josefk123

Hi,

I would be grateful for advice from any experts - please let me know if this isn't the right sub-forum.

A family friend has a savings account and current account in Spain. These used to be with Banco Popular, but following that bank's collapse now sit within Santander.

This family friend is now ill and for that reason cannot go to Spain to access their money. Unfortunately Santander UK have not been able to help, as corporately they are a different company (or so they say). They don't have internet banking for the accounts.

What can they do?

Many thanks!

londoninvestor

Sorry if this is obvious, but have they phoned Santander in Spain, and if so what was the response?

josefk123

Sorry, good point I should have included that. We did get in touch with Head Office in Spain, and then the local bank manager. Unfortunately they weren't able to advise any further than 'you have to come in person'!

mbarge

Hi I live in Spain and the banking system here is not like it is in the UK. Your bank branch is the central hub for all activity out of the ordinary.

Since you don't have internet banking and you've tried telephone banking then you're probably in trouble.

One avenue forward may be to contact a Spanish solicitor (abogado) who speaks English and could act as your friends attorney to access the account. He or she may then be able to approach the branch for you.
This only if the amounts are substantial.

xylophone

Could the friend grant power of attorney to a family member to enable him to deal with matters?

josefk123

Many thanks for your comments mbarge and xylophone. Sending a family member over with power of attorney makes sense as a last resort - hopefully compliance with Spanish law isn't too complicated.

Grateful for any further views!