Advice please - thinking of closing our bank account to avoid rip-off fees

We don't have a Sabadell in my area but do have Banesto and Santander. Maybe I'll decide to "swallow" it as like you say Baz things change very quickly in the banking world. Just so long as the UK banks don't follow suit and start charging us .

As I said cant say anything about any other banks because have never used any others in Spain, when Sabadell took over all I got to hear about was problems they had given customers in the past so I must admit I was a bit wary of them, especially having the name "Dell" in it as well, but in the short time they have taken over never a problem.....So far.

UK banks are changing, like all everywhere they do, but seem to forget to make the changes perfectly clear, I have no investments in any bank I deal with other then cash in the account so cant even comment on what they would give you if you did have investments with them, I don't trust banks one little bit, well just enough to know not to have any of their investments anyway, and I have first hand experience of how Barclays can make a mess up and expect the customer to accept it, if they can get away with it,  also did hear that Barclays were coming out of Spain if that helps in anyway, perhaps another one for you to avoid.

nice thread getting so much information from here

My neighbour has a holiday home here (she is UK resident.) She pays all her local taxes + house insurance by direct debit through her UK account as far as I know. (Although I have seen 'Halifax Iberia' on her council tax bill.)

Maybe check wtih Halifax/Barclays/other Uk bank that also has branches here?

But I am 90% certain she does not have a Spanish account.

Halifax and Barclays are pulling out of Spain.  Halifax and Lloyds were the same but have been taken over by Sabadell. Barclays may be taken over by Caixa bank.

You can pay direct debits from UK with no charge if the bank has signed up to SEPA (Single European Payment Area) but some are dragging their heels.

By "free" it means the transfer is free but the UK banks can still charge the foreign exchange currency fee which can be as much as 2.5% of the transaction plus their exchange rate which can vary between banks. Check with your bank in UK if they have signed up to SEPA and what their currency charges are. You will need an IBAN & BIC for these transactions.

Thank you bobaol ..

I use my UK First Direct account for money transfers via SEPA. Currently they are only charging 4GBP per tranaction. (It used to be 9GBP!)  

Would have to see what they wanted if I asked to pay Spanish bills by DD :) 

Hi and as much as I love my First Direct account as their staff are the best ever, I now transfer monies over with Currencyfair based in Dublin and London. Their rates are much better than F D and they charge just 3€. I am very pleased with their service and very helpful staff.

Sorry but I meant a charge of £3 and not euros.