Yes, you can transfer PayPal cash to your bank account in most cases
PayPal lets you move money from your PayPal balance to a linked bank account, but the process depends on your account type and which country you're in. A standard transfer takes one to three business days. Some accounts can use faster options that cost a fee. The money goes to whichever bank account you've connected to your PayPal profile.
Not every PayPal account has the same transfer options. Business accounts, accounts that hold money from sales, and accounts in certain countries have different rules. If you've never linked a bank account to PayPal, you'll need to do that first — PayPal verifies the account by depositing two small amounts and asking you to confirm the numbers.
Key Takeaways
- Standard transfers from PayPal to your bank account take one to three business days and cost nothing.
- You must link your bank account to PayPal first, which requires confirming two small deposits PayPal makes to that account.
- when ready transfers are available in the United States and some other countries, but they charge a fee of 1.5% of the amount (minimum 25 cents).
- PayPal holds money from certain transactions — like sales or invoices — in a separate balance that may have different withdrawal rules.
- If your transfer fails or is delayed, check whether PayPal flagged your account for review or whether your bank rejected the incoming deposit.
How to link your bank account to PayPal
Before you can transfer money out, PayPal needs to confirm you own the bank account. Go to your PayPal account settings, find the "Wallet" or "Banks and Cards" section (the exact name varies by country), and select "Link a Bank Account." You'll enter your routing number and account number — the same numbers on the bottom left of a paper check.
PayPal then deposits two amounts under $1 each into that account, usually within one to two business days. You'll see them listed as "PAYPAL" in your bank statement. Once they arrive, go back to PayPal, confirm the exact amounts, and the account is linked. Until you do this, PayPal won't let you transfer money out.
If you already have a bank account linked and want to add a second one, follow the same process. You can have multiple bank accounts connected to one PayPal account, but you can only transfer to one at a time — you choose which one each time you initiate a transfer.
Standard transfers: timing and cost
A standard transfer from your PayPal balance to your linked bank account costs nothing and takes one to three business days. The exact timing depends on your bank — some process incoming transfers the same day, others take longer. Weekends and bank holidays don't count as business days, so a transfer you start on Friday afternoon may not land until Tuesday.
When you initiate the transfer in PayPal, you'll see an estimated arrival date. That date assumes your bank processes the transfer on the first business day after PayPal sends it. If your bank is slower, it may arrive later. Once the money leaves PayPal, you can't cancel it, so double-check the bank account number before you confirm.
Standard transfers work for most situations — moving money from sales, refunds, or money someone sent you. If you need the money faster, PayPal offers when ready transfers in the United States and some other countries, but those charge a fee.
when ready transfers and when they cost money
PayPal's when ready Transfer feature moves money to your bank account in minutes rather than days, but it charges 1.5% of the amount you transfer, with a minimum fee of 25 cents. So transferring $100 costs $1.50; transferring $10 costs 25 cents. The fee comes out of your PayPal balance, so if you have $100 and pay the $1.50 fee, your balance drops to $98.50.
when ready transfers are available in the United States to most debit cards and some bank accounts. They're not available everywhere — check your PayPal account to see whether the option appears when you start a transfer. If it doesn't show up, your country, bank, or account type doesn't support it yet.
You don't have to use when ready transfer. Standard transfer is free and works fine if you can wait a few days. Use when ready transfer only if you need the money the same day and the fee is worth it to you.
Money held in PayPal from sales or invoices
If you received money through PayPal's payment tools — selling something, sending an invoice, or receiving a payment for services — that money may sit in a separate PayPal balance rather than your personal account. PayPal holds it there for a few reasons: to cover potential refunds, to comply with regulations, or because your account is new.
You can transfer this money to your bank account the same way you transfer personal funds, but PayPal may hold it longer if your account is flagged for review. A new account or an unusual transaction pattern can trigger a hold. PayPal will tell you in your account if money is on hold and when it will be released.
If you're a business seller, PayPal may require you to keep a minimum balance in your account at all times. Check your account settings to see whether any holds or minimums explore to you.
What to do if your transfer fails or gets stuck
A transfer can fail for a few reasons: the bank account number is wrong, your bank rejected the deposit, or PayPal flagged your account for review. If a transfer fails, PayPal sends you a notification and the money goes back to your PayPal balance. You can then try again with a different account or wait for PayPal to resolve the issue.
If a transfer is delayed beyond the estimated arrival date, check your bank's incoming transfer history first — it may have arrived and you missed the notification. If it's not there, log into PayPal and look at your transfer history to see the status. PayPal shows whether the transfer is pending, completed, or failed.
If PayPal shows the transfer as completed but your bank doesn't show it, contact your bank with the transfer date and amount. Your bank can trace it. If PayPal shows it as pending for longer than the estimated date, contact PayPal support — your account may be under review or there may be a technical issue.
Transfers from PayPal Credit or PayPal Working Capital
If you have a PayPal Credit line (a credit product PayPal offers), you cannot transfer that credit to your bank account. PayPal Credit is a loan, not money you own. You can only use it to pay for things on PayPal or at stores that accept PayPal.
Similarly, if you borrowed money through PayPal Working Capital (a loan for business sellers), that money is a loan balance, not transferable funds. You repay it through PayPal's system, not by transferring it back.
Only money in your PayPal balance — money you've received, been refunded, or added yourself — can be transferred to your bank account.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it really take for money to show up in my bank account?
Standard transfers take one to three business days from when PayPal processes them. Your bank may take an additional day to post the deposit. If you start a transfer on a Friday, it typically arrives by Tuesday or Wednesday. when ready transfers arrive within minutes if your bank supports them.
Can I transfer to someone else's bank account?
No. PayPal only lets you transfer to a bank account registered in your own name. If you want to send money to someone else, use PayPal's send money feature instead, which lets you transfer to their PayPal account or, in some countries, directly to their bank account.
What if I don't have a bank account linked yet?
You must link a bank account before you can transfer. Go to your PayPal wallet settings, add your bank account, and wait for PayPal's verification deposits to arrive. Once you confirm the amounts, the account is linked and you can transfer.
Is there a limit to how much I can transfer at once?
PayPal sets transfer limits based on your account age, history, and verification status. New accounts have lower limits than established ones. Check your account settings to see your current limit. If you hit the limit, you can transfer again the next day or contact PayPal to request a higher limit.
Do I pay taxes on money I transfer to my bank account?
Transferring money to your bank account doesn't create a tax event — you only owe taxes on the income itself. If you received the money as payment for work or sales, you owe income tax on it whether it sits in PayPal or your bank. Keep records of what the money was for.