Best way to take 500+ euros to Spain

bigfer

I know this is an old chestnut, but it's been a while since I needed to pay balance of the accommodation in cash when I go to Spain next month.
I have Santander Zero and Halifax clarity credit cards and Santander 123 lite current account and starling account.
There use to be a handy list of banks with their charges floating around here, but it's probably out of date by now.
Again, sorry if this information is out there, but I was after current opinion. TiA

comeandgo

To buy euros I usually just check on internet who gives best rate, check they are reputable, order on line,  and have it posted to me.I usually buy over £1000 as rates are slightly better for larger amounts.

JReacher1

For a relatively small amount like this I would just go somewhere like tesco or Asda to buy it. 

bigfer

So buy in the UK rather than when in Spain?

DullGreyGuy

You'd most likely be best off either 1) using a fee free card in an ATM in Spain or 2) buying currency in the UK 

Its hard to say which will be better as ATMs often have a withdrawal fee and a per transaction limit so its hard to know if its going to be 1 or 2 transactions and so 1 or 2 ATM fees (though Santander card in a Santander ATM shouldn't have an ATM fee). 

Similarly, depending on where you live the options to buy in the UK may be limited or you end up paying postage.

bigfer

I can spread withdrawals out over a week in Spain.

Voyager2002

I spent a day in Spain (Malaga) in March and tried very hard to find an economical way to withdraw cash from an ATM. Using a Santander card in a Santander ATM would have been expensive (terms for this became worse in the last six months). Other banks also charged fixed fees. Far better to pay everything using cards, or get cash in this country.

Try to negotiate with the hotel to pay with a card, or ask whether they would accept cash in sterling.

NoodleDoodleMan

Use your Santander cards at a Santander branded ATM - no fees.

The interest liable on the Zero card can be negated by QUICKLY transferring in the amount taken in currency by app online - but beware if you have made other purchase on that card or you'll have to settle the whole amount in one transaction AFAIK. I believe interest payments are prioritised in these circumstance, I have no experience of this.

The Santander debit card has no such considerations of course.

Good idea to find out if there is a Santander branch where you are going, it's more convenient to use an indoor ATM in my experience.

This might help - https://www.bancosantander.es/en/buscador-oficinas-cajeros

If you can find a "user friendly" ATM that takes no fees then your Starling card is an alternative - but such holes in the wall are few and far between these days - I think Banca March and Deutche Bank, however you'd need to have that confirmed.

The Clarity card is also useful - but the same interest aspect applies as for the Zero card.

Neil49

bigfer said:

I can spread withdrawals out over a week in Spain.

But you will probably be charged an atm fee every time. €6 a go is par for the course.

Banca March used to be fee free but I was charged in Benidorm last month. At least they warn you in advance and give you the option to cancel. I'm not sure how many times you can do this before your own bank notices and locks you out. 

bigfer

Ok, many thanks for your help.
I think I'll go for the Santander debit card at Santander bank ATM. There is a local branch near me.
Pity about the Banca march charging, I'd used them with success earlier this year in Tenerife.

NoodleDoodleMan

I also used Banca March a few months ago in Tenerife without fees taken - suprised to hear that may no longer be the case in mainland Spain.

I wonder if this announcement below now applies ?

https://www.bancamarch.es/en/people/your-day-to-day/cards/duo-exclusive/

That is based on a domestic Banca March account - maybe the Euro 150 fee free deal also applies to "user friendly" UK debit cards like Chase and Starling ?