Yes, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account in most cases
PayPal lets you move funds to a linked bank account through several methods, each with different speeds and costs. The standard transfer takes three to five business days and is free. when ready transfers arrive within 30 minutes but charge a small fee—usually 1% of the amount, with a minimum of 25 cents and a maximum of $15 per transfer. You can also withdraw cash at an ATM using a PayPal debit card if you have one, or request a check by mail.
The method you choose depends on how quickly you need the money and whether you want to pay a fee. Most people use the free standard transfer for routine withdrawals and save when ready transfer for when they need cash the same day.
Key Takeaways
- Standard transfers from PayPal to a linked bank account are free and take three to five business days.
- when ready transfers cost 1% of the amount (minimum 25 cents, maximum $15) and arrive within 30 minutes.
- Your bank account must be verified and linked to your PayPal account before you can transfer money.
- Some banks take longer to post the funds even after PayPal sends them, so the timeline depends partly on your bank's processing speed.
- If your transfer fails or gets stuck, contact PayPal support with your transaction ID and bank details.
How to link your bank account to PayPal
Before you can transfer money, you need to add and verify your bank account in PayPal. Log into your PayPal account, go to Wallet, and select Link a Bank Account. Enter your routing number and account number—both appear on the bottom left of a check, or you can find them in your bank's online portal. PayPal will then send two small deposits (usually between 1 and 3 cents each) to that account.
Check your bank statement in two to three business days for those deposits. Return to PayPal, go to your bank account settings, and enter the two amounts to confirm the account is yours. Once verified, you can transfer money when ready. If you skip this step, PayPal will block transfers until you complete it.
Standard transfer versus when ready transfer
A standard transfer is free and takes three to five business days. PayPal processes it within one business day, but your bank may take an additional two to four days to post the funds to your account. This timeline applies whether you transfer on a Monday or Friday; weekends and holidays do not speed up or slow down the process. Standard transfer is the right choice if you do not need the money urgently and want to avoid fees.
An when ready transfer costs 1% of the amount you send, with a floor of 25 cents and a ceiling of $15 per transfer. The money lands in your account within 30 minutes on any day, including weekends and holidays. If you transfer $100, you pay $1. If you transfer $1,500, you pay $15 (not $15). when ready transfer is useful when you need cash the same day or when your bank is slow to post deposits.
What happens if your transfer fails or gets stuck
A transfer can fail for several reasons: your bank account is closed, the routing or account number is wrong, your bank flagged the deposit as suspicious, or PayPal detected unusual activity on your account. If this happens, PayPal will send you a notification and may return the money to your PayPal balance within five to ten business days.
If you do not receive a notification but your money is missing, log into PayPal, go to your Activity or Transaction History, and find the transfer. Click it to see the status—it will say "Completed," "Pending," "Failed," or "Cancelled." If it failed, PayPal shows the reason. If it is pending and more than five business days have passed, contact PayPal Support through the Resolution Center. Have your transaction ID and bank account details ready. PayPal can investigate whether your bank rejected the deposit or whether the transfer never left PayPal.
Fees and limits on transfers
Standard transfers are always free, regardless of the amount. when ready transfers charge 1% with a minimum of 25 cents and a maximum of $15 per transaction. PayPal does not charge a fee to link or verify your bank account.
PayPal does not publish a single daily or monthly transfer limit that applies to all users. Instead, limits depend on your account age, history, and verification status. New accounts may have lower limits than established ones. If you hit a limit, PayPal will tell you when you try to transfer and may allow you to request a higher limit. Some users can transfer thousands per day; others face limits of a few hundred. If you need to move a large amount, start with a smaller transfer to see what your current limit is, or contact PayPal Support to ask about increasing it.
Transfers from PayPal to a business bank account
If you have a PayPal Business account, the process is the same: link your business bank account, verify it with the two small deposits, and transfer using standard or when ready methods. The fees and timelines are identical. Some business accounts have higher transfer limits than personal accounts, but you will only know your limit when you try to transfer or when PayPal tells you.
If you are transferring money from a PayPal Business account to a personal bank account (or vice versa), PayPal allows it as long as both accounts are verified and in your name or you have authorization. If the names do not match, PayPal may block the transfer or flag it for review.
What to do if your bank account is closed or no longer valid
If the bank account you linked to PayPal is closed, any transfer you attempt will fail. You need to remove the old account and add a new one. Log into PayPal, go to Wallet, find the closed account, and select Remove. Then add your new bank account and verify it with the two small deposits. Once verified, you can transfer to the new account.
If you forget which account you linked or cannot find it in your Wallet, you can add a different account without removing the old one first. PayPal will let you link multiple accounts and choose which one to transfer to each time. This is useful if you have accounts at different banks or if you want to keep an old account linked for reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from PayPal on a weekend or holiday?
Standard transfers initiated on weekends or holidays enter the queue and process on the next business day. when ready transfers work 24/7, including weekends and holidays, and arrive within 30 minutes. If you need money over a weekend, when ready transfer is your only option.
Why is my transfer still pending after five business days?
Standard transfers usually complete within three to five business days, but delays happen if your bank is slow to post deposits or if PayPal is reviewing your account for fraud. Check your PayPal transaction history to see if it shows "Completed" or "Pending." If it shows "Completed" but the money is not in your bank account, contact your bank—they may be holding it. If it still shows "Pending," contact PayPal Support with your transaction ID.
Do I have to pay taxes on money I transfer from PayPal to my bank account?
Transferring your own money from PayPal to your bank is not a taxable event. However, if the money in your PayPal account came from selling goods or services, that income is taxable. PayPal reports certain transactions to the IRS, so keep records of what the money was for. Consult a tax professional if you are unsure whether your PayPal income is taxable.
Can I transfer money from someone else's PayPal account to my bank account?
No. You can only transfer money from a PayPal account to a bank account that is registered in the same name as the PayPal account, or to an account you have written authorization to use. If someone sends you money through PayPal, it goes into your PayPal balance, and you can transfer it to your own linked bank account.
What if PayPal says I have reached my transfer limit?
PayPal limits how much you can transfer per day or per month based on your account history and verification status. If you hit the limit, wait until the next day or month (depending on the limit type) and try again. You can also contact PayPal Support to request a higher limit, though approval is not may provide and depends on your account standing.