Caixa Geral de Depositos

[Sheila]

We need to open a bank account in Portugal shortly. CGD seems to be our nearest. Can anyone vouch for their online facility?
Do they charge a monthly fee?
Thanks

[pointersister]

What about Santander in Carvoeiro? We use it and it is really good with great English speaking staff. Highly recommended.

[pato]

Everytime I see the name "Pointer Sisters" I have a giggle and imagine them to have their blond hair tied in two bobs with a ribbon and wearing polka dot skirts with white knee length socks and black patent leather strap fixing shoes and doing everything in harmony,........ tell me I'm wrong.

[bruce]

You are wrong Pato....

[Sheila]

What about Santander in Carvoeiro? We use it and it is really good with great English speaking staff. Highly recommended.

Our house is being built near Monchique and we could only find CGD and Credit Agricola there. It probably won't matter if their online banking is good. Have you used it?

[pointersister]

Oh Pato you are so wrong!! No blonde hair, no pig tails!

[Farol]

I don't know if it applies in Monchique but Lagoa council would only accept direct debits to pay water bills from banks that had branches within their district which used to give us a problem. Not sure if it is still the case but it might be worth checking that the bank you choose is suitable for all payments.

Both BANIF and Millennium on-line banking seem fine.

If you don't speak Portuguese you need to check that your chosen bank has an English version of their on-line banking site.

Another consideration is that some banks have arrangements whereby you can do international transfers from a UK branch free of fees.

[joeysoap]

Oh Pato you are so wrong!! No blonde hair, no pig tails!

but he does have some imagionation !! Looking forward to seeing you later in the week.

I don't know if it applies in Monchique but Lagoa council would only accept direct debits to pay water bills from banks that had branches within their district which used to give us a problem. Not sure if it is still the case but it might be worth checking that the bank you choose is suitable for all payments.

Happened to someone I know also, they had an account in Lagos and Lagoa camera would not accept it.
AFAIK this is totally against EU rules. What about these SEPA transfers, in theory all banks in UK/Ireland should be able to process dd's from utility companies in Portugal.