What bank do you recommend?

I’m coming over to complete our property purchase next week (21/6) & need to set up a bank account while I’m out there.
What banks without charges do people recommend?
My solicitor has set one up with Bankia but when I translated the terms it appears they have a monthly fee just for having account.
Is there a Santander branch anywhere near Ciudad Quesada as I have a Portuguese account with them from previous property.
Any advice welcome.
Thanks
Howard.

Santander branch right by the arches.
None of the banks offer free banking, charges vary as to your residency status, how many transactions per month and how much money you put in the account per month.

I get free banking with Sabadell but I have to have my state pension paid in Monthly and have an insurance policy with them too.

Don’t bother with any Spanish banks. Unless you’re going to transfer around €700 a month & have a expensive insurance policy with them. We’re with Sabadell charge €40 a quarter plus some people €18 every transfer from UK.For some reason they’ve not charged us to put money in yet.Their are a few posts on this site about banks if you search got them.As soon as we can get over we’re transferring all our direct debits to Wise(formerly transfer wise) It’s easy to set up & no charges for d/debits or transfers,just a small charge for converting pounds to euros.Good luck.

Wise formally Transferwise have a European Iban, you can open a fee free account with them, there is a restriction on the amount you can withdraw from Atm's but purchases are not restricted, you pay for transferring money but get the best exchange rate at that time.

As previously mentioned the local branch of Banco Santander is approx 150 metres up from the Quesada Arches on left hand side of Avenida de las Naciones. There are also Santander ATMs in most of the local towns.

If you have an account with Santander in the UK then withdrawals are free in Spanish ATMs. Does that also apply to Portugese accounts? I suspect that it may well do, but you are best to check for yourself.

I’ve never had a problem with Bankinter

Kippax1968 wrote:I’m coming over to complete our property purchase next week (21/6) & need to set up a bank account while I’m out there.
What banks without charges do people recommend?
My solicitor has set one up with Bankia but when I translated the terms it appears they have a monthly fee just for having account.
Is there a Santander branch anywhere near Ciudad Quesada as I have a Portuguese account with them from previous property.
Any advice welcome.
Thanks
Howard.

Yes there is, make sure you ask for an account with NO CHARGES...

Graham_Lynn wrote:Santander branch right by the arches.
None of the banks offer free banking, charges vary as to your residency status, how many transactions per month and how much money you put in the account per month.

They do have free banking at Santander....we have 2 accounts...no fees

Floreus wrote:

Graham_Lynn wrote:Santander branch right by the arches.
None of the banks offer free banking, charges vary as to your residency status, how many transactions per month and how much money you put in the account per month.

They do have free banking at Santander....we have 2 accounts...no fees

Are they Spanish Santander accounts ?