I am planning on applying for a D7 visa and I know one requirement is a Portuguese bank account. So, I opened a bank account at Santander Bank when I visited Lisbon in September. To open the bank account, I needed a local address (and was told that I could use the address of my Lisbon hotel). When I opened the account, I also filled out a change of address form to my US address. Somehow that change of address has never happened.
The bank has an app that should allow me to access the account from abroad and update the address. When I try to register with the app, it says my US telephone number has too many digits. I was able to obtain a Portuguese telephone number that automatically forwards the call to my US number. When I use that number, it says that number is not the number they have in their records.
Back to the app, there is an email option to send a message, so I sent an email explaining the problem. The app says they usually respond in 4 hours. Still waiting 10 days later. The app also indicates that there is a special phone line for English speakers (unfortunately, I do not speak Portuguese). Calling that line gets a canned message in what I think is Portuguese.
When I opened the account, I put in the minimum amount (€150) with plans on supplementing that as needed. Nevertheless, that money will be depleted with monthly fees and health insurance premiums (which I was required to buy as part of the package to open the account).
I called the US Santander Bank, just to get a better way to contact the Portuguese Santander Bank, but they could not help me.
I am receiving promotional emails from the bank offering me credit cards and loans, but I need to apply online. So, it is clear that they have the correct email address, but I am unable to access the bank or my account via their app, email, or phone. Other than another trip to Portugal or getting an attorney, not sure what else to do.
In case anyone is wondering, I do have a NIF and all the bank account numbers.
Any ideas?
