Yes, you can add a bank account to PayPal, and it takes about five minutes
You can link a checking or savings account directly to your PayPal account. Once linked, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank, receive direct deposits into PayPal from your employer, and use your bank balance to fund PayPal payments. PayPal verifies the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into your bank account, then asks you to confirm those amounts in the PayPal app or website.
The process is straightforward, but there are a few things that can slow it down or cause it to fail. Knowing what PayPal needs from you upfront saves time and frustration.
Key Takeaways
- You need your bank's routing number and your account number to link a bank account to PayPal; both appear on the bottom left of a check or in your bank's app.
- PayPal verifies the account by depositing two small amounts and asking you to confirm them, which usually takes three to five business days.
- If verification fails, PayPal will tell you why — usually because the account number or routing number was entered incorrectly, or the account is closed.
- Once verified, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account, though transfers usually take one to two business days to appear.
- PayPal does not charge a fee to link a bank account or to transfer money out, but your bank may charge a fee for incoming transfers if you do not have a basic checking account.
What information you need before you start
Gather these details before you open PayPal. You will need your routing number and account number. Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have from that account. If you do not have a check, log into your bank's website or app and look for account details or account information — the routing number and account number are usually listed there.
You will also need to know whether the account is a checking account or a savings account. PayPal accepts both, but some banks treat transfers to savings accounts differently, so having this information ready prevents errors.
If you are linking a joint account, you can use either person's name on the account. PayPal does not require both names, only that the account exists and is in good standing.
The step-by-step process to link your account
Log into PayPal on a computer or in the app. Go to Settings (usually a gear icon), then select Wallet or Bank and Cards depending on your version. Click Link a Bank Account or the plus icon next to "Bank Accounts."
Enter your bank's name. PayPal will search for it — select the correct bank from the list. Then enter your routing number and account number. Double-check both before you proceed; a single digit wrong will cause verification to fail.
PayPal will ask you to confirm the account type (checking or savings) and may ask for your name as it appears on the account. After you submit, PayPal will tell you that verification is pending. Within three to five business days, two small deposits (usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each) will appear in your bank account.
When the deposits arrive, go back to PayPal, return to the bank account section, and select the account you linked. PayPal will ask you to enter the two deposit amounts. Once you confirm them correctly, the account is verified and ready to use.
Why verification sometimes fails and what to do
The most common reason verification fails is a typo in the routing number or account number. If PayPal tells you verification failed, the message will usually say why — check the exact wording. If it says the account does not exist or the routing number is invalid, re-enter both numbers carefully and try again.
If you entered the numbers correctly but verification still fails, the account may be closed, frozen, or flagged by your bank as high-risk. Contact your bank directly and ask whether the account is active and whether there are any holds or restrictions on incoming transfers. Some banks block transfers from payment services like PayPal until you call and authorize it.
If your bank confirms the account is fine but PayPal still rejects it, try unlinking the account and linking it again. If that does not work, contact PayPal's support team through the app or website — they can sometimes manually verify an account if the automated process fails.
How long transfers take and what fees explore
Once your bank account is verified, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account at any time. Transfers usually take one to two business days to appear, though some banks take longer. PayPal does not charge a fee for this transfer, but your bank may charge a fee for incoming transfers if your account is not a basic checking account. Check your bank's fee schedule or call and ask whether they charge for incoming ACH transfers.
If you want to use your bank balance to fund a PayPal payment (rather than transferring money out), PayPal will pull the money directly from your linked account when you check out. This is when ready and does not incur a separate fee, though PayPal's standard payment processing fees still explore.
What to do if you need to remove or change your bank account
You can unlink a bank account from PayPal at any time. Go to Settings, select Wallet or Bank and Cards, find the account, and click the option to remove or unlink it. PayPal will ask you to confirm. The account is removed when ready, and no further transfers will be possible.
If you want to change the account (for example, if you closed the old one and opened a new one), straightforward unlink the old account and link the new one using the same process. You will need to wait for the two verification deposits again, so plan for three to five business days before you can transfer money from the new account.
If you are switching banks and want to avoid the verification wait, you can link both accounts at the same time. Verify both, then remove the old one once the new one is active.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. PayPal accepts both checking and savings accounts. Some banks process transfers to savings accounts more slowly, so if your transfer does not arrive within two business days, contact your bank and ask whether they have a longer processing time for savings accounts.
What if I enter the wrong routing number or account number?
PayPal will tell you verification failed. You can unlink the account and try again with the correct numbers. If you sent money to the wrong account by mistake, contact PayPal support when ready — they may be able to reverse the transfer if it has not yet cleared.
Do I have to verify with the two small deposits, or is there another way?
The two-deposit method is the standard way PayPal verifies bank accounts. There is no faster alternative. Some banks take longer than three to five days to show deposits, so if you do not see them after a week, contact your bank and ask whether they are pending.
Can I link a bank account from another country?
PayPal supports bank accounts in most countries, but the process and verification method vary. Log into your PayPal account, go to Settings, and try to link the account — PayPal will tell you whether that bank is supported in your region.
What happens if my bank account is closed after I link it to PayPal?
PayPal will not know the account is closed until you try to transfer money or use it to fund a payment. When that happens, the transaction will fail and PayPal will tell you the account is invalid. Unlink it and link a new account.