Spanish bank account for paying bills

jennystarpepper

Hi all, have looked at other threads, but they all appear to be from some time ago.

Please note, question is for paying bills / utilities and not for holiday spending.

So I have an NIE number, is it easier to open an account here online for a Spanish account, or in a branch when I am away?

I've looked at other posts, and Santander appear to be one who people say 'avoid'.

So if you have an account, who did you open with, was it online at home or did you go into a branch… also how much does it cost you, as I understand most charge you for banking?

Many thanks.

sausage_time

Wise appear to allow Euro Direct Debits.

https://wise.com/gb/blog/introducing-gbp-and-eur-direct-debits

https://wise.com/help/articles/2977956/getting-started-with-direct-debits

subjecttocontract

We use Bankinter for our banking in Spain, have done for almost 20 years. We are not residents, we just have a holiday home. I'd think it's best to open the account when you next visit Spain. Generally there's no free banking, we pay for the account, for being non res and for bank cards but they handle all the day to day payments. I would think any of the large main banks in Spain will offer the same service.

greyteam1959

Just use Wise.com for all your Spanish utility bills.

Very very easy to open an account with them.

I have been using them successfully for many years.

Simple to use very good exchange rates & very very fast payments & transfers.

Move money into your Wise euro account when the exchange rate is in your favour.

Use their debit card for shopping etc etc.

These days you don't really need a mainstream Spanish bank account.

jennystarpepper

Thanks for your helpful comments, Wise it is then. One last question if you don't mind, tried looking it up, but don't appear to get much of an answer.

@greyteam1959 or @subjecttocontract, or if anyone else knows? Did you use a 3rd party to pay the tax for having a holiday home?

The property will not be rented out, but I do need to pay tax. Does anyone do it online themselves, Modelo 210, I've seen a website called Iberiantax, which let's you complete it online yourself. The estate agent 'suggested' someone to me for 135.00 Euros, and I'm aiming to be as MSE as I can.

Many thanks

greyteam1959

Non resident & holiday home owner.

I use a third party ( my Spanish solicitor) to work out & pay any tax due on my behalf.

It costs me about 75 euro a year to do this for me.

That fee would also include dealing with any other problems such as car tax or utility problems.

I find that good value as I want to make sure everything is done properly & on time.

Lots of people do their own tax returns I believe.

jennystarpepper

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82094332#Comment_82094332

Many thanks, think I will give the online version ago.

brianposter

Another one who closed my Spanish bank account and uses Wise.

c1995

Starling offers a euro account

friolento

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82098635#Comment_82098635

true, and it can be useful, and it comes with FSCS protection, which Wise doesn’t have. Though it has a GBxx IBAN, which can cause issues with some transactions in the EU. Wise IBAN is BExx (Belgium), so a bonafide EU IBAN.