Starling Bank - another free Euro bank account

[Mia]

I have just opened my bank account (£) with Starling Bank. The mobile app is very easy to use.

You will need to follow a few simple steps:
1. enter your personal details
2. take a picture of your ID
3. take a video of yourself saying your name

They will run a quick credit check and that's it.

Now waiting for my debit card (MINT colour   my favourite one) to arrive

I will try to open EURO account a little bit later, will keep you posted.

[beachlife]

I`m fed up with the costs involved with Spanish banks. 

However, due to direct debit payments for water, gas, council bills, car tax, community taxes and phone/internet charges have always had to bite the bullet and use a Spanish bank.

So really interested in the Starling bank account if it can be used to pay for direct debits for bills within Spain. Do you know if the Starling account will be able to pay direct debits?

[Mia]

Got my debit card today not the best quality card.

   

I have as well opened EURO account, again very easy to open. You can move Money between your GBP and EURO accounts free of charge until end of this month (0.4% from September).

You can set up standing orders on both GBP or EURO acc, I am not sure about direct debits yet, but pretty sure it is possible and probably very easy to do.

You can as well add business account or joint account.

[Archer]

I also opened a Starling account, both gbp and euro. Started using it here but ran into a minor mishap

First, you can only use a gbp debit card in stores or restaurants. The euro card is still in development. Consequently, when you use it you are presented with the; GBP or Euro question at the checkout. Easy on some machines, as it is obvious how to make the choice. Choose euros, and Starling make the exchange. But it DOES NOT come from your euro account, yet, so you can't beat the rate by exchanging euros elsewhere (yet).

The difficulty I had was Hipodino in Gran Tarajal. Old fashioned machine and I couldn't see immediately how to change it from GBP to Euro. Maybe it's my age!

Anyone know? Or I'll have to try again and hold the queue whilst I read it all.

The difference: Letting Starling do the exchange = 1.13 approx. 
                            Letting Hipodino's bank do the exchange = 1.04

Anyone else tried yet?
And tried free cash withdrawals?

[Archer]

Thought I would give an update on my Starling (GBP debit card) experience so far.

25 Sept 2019
Purchases in store (euro value) around 1.1326 - 1.1331
Exchanges on Starling a/c to pay DD's in euros 1.1293
ATM withdrawal @ BBVA bank with €1.87 commission - €200 works out at 1.1323

BBVA ATM seemed lowest commission in Gran Tarajal @ €1.87. 
Santander wanted €5, Caixabank €2 & Cajamar more

We haven't tried Banca March.

As a comparison Transferwise are offering €1.124 on £200 right now.

Tenencia Alcadia in GT didn't say they couldn't use the Starling IBAN for my DD's, but then again that does not mean it will work on a UK bank. Proof in the tasting. Wait and see!

[Mia]

Brace yourself for an exciting update: you can now use your debit card to pay in euros from your euro account. 

Just tap the euro account card icon in your euro account menu. Tap link card to euro account. Press okay on the pop up and you're done. 

You can make transactions and withdrawals from your euro account and your personal account using your existing debit card. If you would like your euro card transactions to come from your euro account you need to activate the “Currency Controls” under “Card and Currency Controls” screen. When this is activated, all card transactions in euros will be debited from your euro account. All other currency transactions will come from your personal account.

[Archer]

Thanks for the headsup on this new Starling function. You will need to update the app first before it will activate. Now just need to try this new feature. 

PS: Banca March atm cash withdrawals are free of charge.

[Archer]

No BM atm's in Gran Tarajal. One in the shopping centre at Costa Calma. 2 in Caleta and 1 in PR. Oh and 1 in Jandia.

They're the ones I know.