You can send money to someone without a PayPal account, but the method depends on what they're willing to do
PayPal has three main ways to receive money, and only one of them requires an account. If someone doesn't have PayPal, you can still send them money through PayPal.Me links, PayPal invoices, or by using PayPal's integration with other services like Venmo or Cash App. The catch: the recipient will need to either create an account to claim the money, or you'll need to use a different payment method altogether.
The fastest route depends on whether the person is willing to set up an account and how quickly they need the money. Some methods let them receive funds without ever logging into PayPal; others require them to claim the payment through a link.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal.Me links let you send money to someone who doesn't have an account yet, but they'll need to create one to claim it.
- PayPal invoices work the same way—the recipient gets a link, clicks it, and can pay you or claim funds you've sent without having an existing account.
- If the person refuses to use PayPal at all, you can transfer money through Venmo, Cash App, or a bank transfer instead.
- Money sent to a non-account holder sits in PayPal's system for 30 days; after that, it returns to your account automatically.
Sending through a PayPal.Me link
A PayPal.Me link is a personalized URL that lets anyone send you money without needing your email or account details. If you have a PayPal account, you can create one in seconds. The person you want to send money to can use your link to pay you, or you can modify the link to send them money instead.
To send money this way, you create or share your PayPal.Me link with the recipient. They click it, enter the amount, and complete the payment. They don't need a PayPal account to send you money through this link—they can pay with a debit card, credit card, or bank account. However, if you're trying to send them money (not receive it), they'll need to create an account to claim the funds.
This method works best when the other person is comfortable clicking a link and entering payment information, but doesn't want to maintain a full PayPal account.
Using PayPal invoices to send money
PayPal invoices are designed for sellers, but they also work for sending money to someone without an account. You create an invoice in your PayPal account, add the recipient's email address, and send it. They receive a link and can claim the money by clicking it.
The recipient doesn't need an existing PayPal account to receive the funds. When they click the invoice link, PayPal will ask them to either log in or create an account. Once they do, the money appears in their account and they can transfer it to their bank or keep it in PayPal. The whole process usually takes a few minutes.
This method is reliable because PayPal tracks the invoice and you can see whether it's been opened and claimed. If the recipient doesn't claim it within 30 days, the money returns to your account automatically.
What happens if they never claim the money
When you send money to someone without a PayPal account, PayPal holds it for 30 days. During that time, the recipient can claim it by creating an account or logging in. If they don't claim it after 30 days, the money automatically returns to your PayPal account or the payment method you used to send it.
You'll receive a notification when the money is returned. There's no fee for this, and you can try sending it again using a different method if the first attempt didn't work. Keep in mind that if you sent the money from a credit card, the refund goes back to that card, not to your PayPal balance.
Alternatives if they won't use PayPal at all
If the person refuses to create a PayPal account, you have other options. Venmo and Cash App both let you send money to someone who doesn't have an account yet. With Venmo, you can send money to a phone number or email, and the recipient gets a link to claim it. Cash App works similarly—you send to their $Cashtag or phone number, and they can claim the funds.
Bank transfers are another route if you have their account and routing number. This bypasses PayPal entirely and sends money directly to their bank account. It usually takes one to three business days, but there's no account creation required on their end.
If you're sending a small amount and speed doesn't matter, you can also mail a check or use a service like Western Union, though these methods are slower and may carry fees.
Fees and limits when sending to non-account holders
PayPal's fees depend on how you send the money. If you send from your PayPal balance or bank account to someone without an account, there's usually no fee. If you send from a credit card, PayPal charges a fee (typically 2.2% plus $0.30 for domestic transfers, though this varies by transaction type).
There are also sending limits. If you're new to PayPal or haven't verified your identity, you may only be able to send a few hundred dollars per transaction. Once you verify your account with a bank or card, these limits increase. The recipient's limits don't matter because they're just claiming money you've already sent.
How to know if they received it
PayPal sends the recipient an email with a link to claim the money. Check that you have their correct email address before you send anything. If the email bounces or they don't see it, ask them to check their spam folder—payment notifications sometimes end up there.
You can also log into your PayPal account and check the transaction history. It will show whether the payment is pending, claimed, or returned. If it's been more than a few days and they haven't claimed it, follow up with them directly to make sure they got the email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do they have to create a PayPal account to get the money I send?
Yes, if you're sending money through PayPal. They can claim it without having an account beforehand, but they'll need to create one during the claiming process. The account creation is free and takes a few minutes. If they want to avoid PayPal entirely, you'll need to use a different payment method like Venmo, Cash App, or a direct bank transfer.
What if they lose the email with the payment link?
They can ask you to resend it, or you can log into PayPal and resend the invoice or payment link from your transaction history. If more than 30 days have passed, the money will have returned to your account and you'll need to send it again. Make sure you have their correct email address before sending.
Can I send money to someone's phone number instead of their email?
PayPal doesn't send money directly to phone numbers—you need an email address. However, Venmo and Cash App both let you send to phone numbers or usernames. If the person has one of those apps, that's a faster route than PayPal.
Is it safe to send money to someone without an account?
Yes, it's as safe as any other PayPal transaction. The money sits in PayPal's system until they claim it, so there's no risk of it going to the wrong person. If they never claim it, it comes back to you. The only risk is if you send it to the wrong email address, so double-check before you hit send.
How long does it take for them to receive the money after they claim it?
Once they create an account and claim the payment, the money is in their PayPal account when ready. If they want to transfer it to their bank account, that usually takes one to three business days depending on their bank.