Andy, not sure if they have HSBC in Spain.If you bank with them in the UK and there is an HSBC in Spain and you have an account with them then the cost is a tenner for any amount.

Ian

im currently with banco popular but will look into that, thanks

Andy Mc

Believe me sending money to Spain (even in small amounts) can be a rip off by (a) the financial institution you send from and (b) the bank in Spain.

When you are sending money to Spain you have the choice of paying the total processing amount at the point of sending or paying a processing transaction at the Spanish end as well as the UK starting point.

I have found that you will get screwed at the Spanish end whether or which.

I have been burnt so many times that I now give cash amounts to people visiting our apartment to lodge in our Spanish bank account. You may say there is a degree of trust here, but believe me this is the cheapest option.

One quotation comes to mind and no offence is meant - When Gerry Adams Sinn Feinn leader in Ireland was asked when was he going to stop robbing the banks - he replied "More importantly, you should ask when are the banks going to stop robbing us?"

We also bank with Banco popular. both here in Tenerife and in London. Although they don't charge for transfers from one account to the other [provided they are both in the same name[s] the exchange rate they give is pants. Last month my husband wanted to transfer a few thousand and they offered him 1.42. He brought it with him in cash, put in our account here and got 1.48

Have a look here I use the to send money over every month no fees aor anything and if you Spanish bank charge to put the money into your account here tell HIFIX and they will refund the money.

I am sending you a PM with other detail that will help you.

agree with hifix also,but have only used the for big amounts.

Andy,

I tend to send blocks of money over because of the costs and when I do I use my bank to do the transfer - a Tipanet transfer. I get charged £8 for this and it's a euro transfer so there is no receiving fee at the spanish end. Maybe worth asking your bank, some charge more than £8 but may match the cheapest if you ask? Tipanet is ok for small amounts (up to about £10k), over this and it's a swift payment which costs a lot more (£30+).

HIFX and similar will do regular amounts but they effectively charge for this with the rate they offer - plus you have to send the same amount every time.

Hope that helps.

Andy,

I tend to send blocks of money over because of the costs and when I do I use my bank to do the transfer - a Tipanet transfer. I get charged £8 for this and it's a euro transfer so there is no receiving fee at the spanish end. Maybe worth asking your bank, some charge more than £8 but may match the cheapest if you ask? Tipanet is ok for small amounts (up to about £10k), over this and it's a swift payment which costs a lot more (£30+).

What rate do you get for the transferes the tourist rate or the interbank rate.

Inbetween! Last time I transferred the interbank rate was 1.478 and I got 1.461, that was a better rate than HIFX could provide.

Hola
If you need the money for when you are there and to top up your Spanish account I find using the Nationwide Flex account by far the best keep the money in there and use your card when you are in Spain, you get the bank rate with no charges whatsoever and you can either take £300 per card per day at the ATM's or go into the bank for £1000, as I said if the commercial rate is €1.48 you will get just that.
Wendy

I have just been stung by my Bank sending small amounts to Tenerife too!!! They make money out of you whatever way you do it.

I have a Halifax account here and one in Spain too...You don't have to pay any charges to transfer money over..and I don't get a bad rate either as long as you have a bank account with a branch in the UK and in Spain.

I transfer small amounts of between £300-£1000 every other month. I have no complaints but I must admit I haven't delved into other options as this suits me.
Nationwide I have had good reports of too.

Ann

Hi
does xe.com not have something on it for transfers XE Trade or similar?

If you open a bank acount with Caixa Galicia (who also have a bank/office in London) they send you paying in slips where you can pay money into your Spanish Bank account via any Lloyds TSB in the UK.
There is no charge for the transaction and in avoids uneccesary fees.