Chile Forum

I'm new here, so please forgive my ignorance in all matters Chile in advance. Anyway, here it goes. Let's assume I have a PayPal account abroad and I create a second PP account registered to an address in Chile. Now, if I manage to link that Chilean PP account to a Chilean bank account, wouldn't that work? Obviously I would still have to manage setting up a Chilean bank account. But it may help with int'l transfers, which judging by this thread appear to be intermittent and costly.

Also, how about just using a PP debit card in Chile when no cash is required? Of course you need some bank account in Chile to open a PP account but once that's accomplished you can simply use your PP debit card. Again, I have no experience doing this - just throwing it out as an idea.

As a general question: How useful are debit cards in Chile? If I go to a supermarket or grocery store - do they accept them? Is cash king in Chile? Sorry if that has been covered in detail before - if so please point me in the right direction.

I use my Canadian debit card for many things in Chile from gas to groceries. I'm not a resident so can’t get a personal Chilean bank account, thou I do have corporate accounts in Chile that I sign cheques for and can make withdrawals from.

Money transfers are not a problem, if you are doing many tiny ones yes they are expensive. They can take several days and may need paperwork filed to justify them but it’s not difficult, you just have to plan ahead not need rent this morning or you’re hooped, eh......

Thanks for the input - much appreciated

wasn't sure where else to post this and didn't want to create an entire thread, just wondering if anyone knows of any ATMs in Santiago that don't charge a fee for withdrawing from a foreign credit card? I thought I read there were a couple a round but so far haven't found any... Most of the ATMs belonging to big banks charge a 3.000 fee and the max withdrawal is 200.000, just wondering if there's any other options, gracias!

dw88 wrote:wasn't sure where else to post this and didn't want to create an entire thread, just wondering if anyone knows of any ATMs in Santiago that don't charge a fee for withdrawing from a foreign credit card? I thought I read there were a couple a round but so far haven't found any... Most of the ATMs belonging to big banks charge a 3.000 fee and the max withdrawal is 200.000, just wondering if there's any other options, gracias!

there is already a thread on this, search atm fee i think....

gracias amigo, found just what i was after

Angela35 wrote:i know it's hard to put a dollar amount in starting a business due to numerous factors, but will 100,000 USD be able to start off correct and still be able to afford the mistakes made along the way?

Depends on the business, 100k won't buy a winery

As far as I can tell from forum searching, this hasn't been covered, at least not in detail, and as I don't want to start another thread about banking, I'll post here...

I'm interested in experiences of those who have moved to the next level and not only opened an account to put money into in Chile, but also to use when abroad (when being out of Chile for an extended period).

Any recommendations on banks for feasibility/ease of the following:
- withdrawing cash from ATMs abroad (worldwide) - fees etc./not being blocked
- being able to do everything online - including international transfers (£ or €) (¿wishful thinking?)

Thanks for any input

I use a Banco de Chile account that's my (Chilean) partner's.

I've used the ATM card overseas (in Bolivia). Have not had the need to try it elsewhere, but have been assured it will work.
Online services with Banco de Chile are ok but not as advanced as International Transfers. We can transfer money between accounts and to other accounts in Chile.

BCI works great, i have a opensky credit card from them that gives you 0 fees outside of chile including purchase por internet....

everything is online EXCEPT international transfers...

Problem with chile is things like that require a original signed piece of paper by law, so something like that is not going to be available by internet....

(might not be a direct law that says you must have the signature (and/or thumb print), but it might be required to cover there arse for court if need be)