Best way to close a bank

What is the best way to close my bank Sabadell and transfer the direct debits to Wise??

Can this be done without a solicitor?

Normally the bank requires you to go in person to close it. You could nominate somebody to close it for you. It doesn't have to be a legal person. Check with the Bank what a nominated person would need by way of identity documentation. You would need to make sure all your D/D are changed over before closing the Spanish Bank A/c. A phone call or email to each of the companies you have D/Ds with requesting them to send you a new D/D Mandate to sign with the Wise details should get everything transferred.

Bee

We opened Wise a/c,went round all utilities to inform them of change of bank,then just kept Sabadell open til all d/debits were paid,then went into Sabadell in Rojales to close a/c,as with all Spanish beurocracy take every piece of Id you have. You can do transfer of d debits by email,but not close bank account as far as I can see.It’s worth it for the savings you make,Do a search on forum ,there are loads of posts on this.

I reduced my Caixa Bank balance to NIL on line and transferred the balance to Wise.I then told Caixa I had closed the account.

I did this last year without going into Sabadell. I did try to contact Sabadell by phone, email and app but all to no avail.

I switched everything over to N26

I changed all utility DDs online and then transferred the balance I had in Sabadell over to N26. I've heard nothing from Sabadell since.

I know people are just emptying bank accounts & saying nothing about closing it to the relevant bank,but if the account is still live it could come back to bite later, I wouldn’t put it past Spanish banks to bill for quarterly charges even with no money in account.Personally I would close it,better than any hassle that could possibly come later.

I would advise to close as the bank charges will continue and you will be in debt. A note about Sabadell in particular, you need to go to the branch you opened the account with for them to allow you to close the account. Other branches would not allow it. Our new bank took copies of our DD’s and set them up on our behalf. Wise may not do that for you.

clegiewicz wrote:What is the best way to close my bank Sabadell and transfer the direct debits to Wise??

Can this be done without a solicitor?

No, you don't need a solicitor. Like other responders I would strongly advise formally closing of your account in person. Not sure Sabadell will allow closure any other way. Emptying your bank account and walking away is not a good idea. I went through this process in the summer. I set up the DDs one by one and when they were all set up I went to Sabadell to close the account. I moved most of my cash out except for about €70 allowing for any bank charges. I was sure there would be some given the rate at which they had been raking it in. And sure enough they debited €32 and paid out the remainder and the account was closed. Make sure you have your passport with you.
As for setting up the DDs it is mostly straight forward.
SUMA was the easiest. You just need your NIE and pop into the office in Rojales and they will do your IBI, car, basura and anything else you might be paying. Ibedrola was also easy. You can do this online. I was already registered with them but you will need register if not already registered online.
Aquagest was a bit more hassle. At the time you had to make an appointment in their office in Rojales. At the appointment it is easier if you speak Spanish but you can still manage if not.
I have Telecable and that was straight forward just popped into the office in Quesada. If you have natural gas that might be the trickiest if you don't speak Spanish. I do and it still took me a couple of attempts to get through to the right person. But don't be put off. I'm so glad I moved to Wise, it works really smoothly and no extra charges. If you have a problem setting up a DD with a particular entity ask on here and I'm sure people will share their experience. Somebody is bound to have done it successfully.

As I recall when closing our bank account with Santander(originally Banco Popular) when I said I couldn't get out to Spain because it was closed I was told they would continue to deduct the bank charges every month while there was money in the account. Then when you came to zero balance the account would be dormant but should any transaction revive the account then they would add all the "fees arrears" onto the account.

Bee

Hi All

After reading a post by Bee over a year ago I set about changing all DD,s
The only one I had a problem with was AEAT

When over in Quesada last Oct for first time in 18 months I called into our fiscal representative who stated that this was not a DD and that they have to calculate each year So now I pay the fiscal representative the AEAT one and they pay that one

All DD,s go through my Irish bank account

I asked any downside to closing the non resident account she said only issue is if I sell I will need a Spanish bank account for the 3% tax that is retained to be paid into

After all the work to change the DD,s I closed the account and figured I can reopen a new account before I sell

But for now no Spanish bank charges

Saludos

Brian