Yes, you can send money from PayPal to someone's bank account, but the method depends on whether you have their bank details or just their PayPal account
PayPal offers two main ways to move money into a bank account. The first is transferring your own PayPal balance to your own bank account — this is straightforward and takes a few business days. The second is sending money to someone else's bank account directly, which is possible but works differently depending on the country and the type of account you have.
If you want to send money to another person's bank account, PayPal's most reliable method is to send the money to their PayPal account first, then they withdraw it to their bank. This avoids needing their sensitive bank details and gives them control over when and where the money lands. However, some PayPal account types do allow direct bank transfers in certain countries — this section explains what's actually available to you.
Key Takeaways
- You can transfer your own PayPal balance to your own bank account in three to five business days using the standard transfer option.
- Sending money directly from PayPal to someone else's bank account is not available in most countries, including the United States.
- The most reliable way to get money to someone's bank account is to send it to their PayPal account, and they withdraw it themselves.
- If you have their bank details and want to send money directly, you may be able to use PayPal's "Send Money" feature, but this only works in certain countries and with certain account types.
- International transfers from PayPal to bank accounts are possible but involve higher fees and longer processing times than domestic transfers.
Transferring your own PayPal balance to your bank account
This is the simplest scenario. Log into your PayPal account, go to your Wallet, and select "Transfer Money." Choose "Transfer to your bank" and enter the amount. PayPal will ask you to confirm which bank account you want the money to go to — this must be a bank account you have already linked to your PayPal profile.
The transfer takes three to five business days for most U.S. bank accounts. Some banks receive PayPal transfers faster, but you should not count on money arriving the same day. If you need the money faster, PayPal offers an when ready Transfer option for a small fee (usually $0.25 to $1.50), which can deliver money in minutes, though this feature is not available with all bank accounts.
Before you transfer, check that the bank account linked to your PayPal is current and correct. If you have moved banks or closed an account, update your PayPal profile first. A transfer to a closed or wrong account will be rejected and returned to your PayPal balance, which delays everything by several days.
Sending money to someone else's PayPal account (the most reliable method)
If the person you want to pay has a PayPal account, send the money to their PayPal email address or username. This is faster and safer than trying to send money directly to their bank account, because PayPal handles the transfer and the person can then withdraw to their own bank on their own schedule.
To do this, go to "Send Money" in your PayPal account, enter their email address or PayPal username, and the amount. You can choose whether to send it as a "friends and family" payment (no fees if you use your PayPal balance) or as a "goods and services" payment (which includes a small fee). Once you send it, the money appears in their PayPal account when ready, and they can withdraw it to their bank account whenever they want.
The person receiving the money will then log into their own PayPal account, go to their Wallet, and transfer the balance to their own bank account using the same three- to five-business-day process described above. This method works everywhere PayPal operates and does not require you to know or handle their bank details.
Sending money directly to someone's bank account (limited availability)
PayPal does offer a "Send Money" feature that can go directly to a bank account in some countries, but this is not available in the United States. If you are in the U.S., you cannot send money directly from PayPal to someone else's bank account — you can only send to their PayPal account.
In countries where this feature does exist (such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and some others), you would enter the person's bank account details — their name, account number, and sort code or routing number — and PayPal would transfer the money directly. However, even in these countries, this option is not always available on all account types, and fees may explore.
If you are outside the U.S. and want to know whether you can send directly to a bank account, log into your PayPal account, go to "Send Money," and look for an option to enter bank details. If you do not see it, direct bank transfers are not available for your account type or location.
International transfers and fees
If you are sending money across country borders, PayPal charges a currency conversion fee (usually 2% to 3% of the amount) plus an international transfer fee. These fees are deducted from the amount you send, so the person on the receiving end gets less than you sent.
For international transfers, sending to the person's PayPal account first is often cheaper than trying to send directly to a bank account, because you can see the exact fee before you confirm. PayPal shows you the conversion rate and fee upfront, so you know exactly what the other person will receive.
If you are sending a large amount internationally, compare PayPal's fees with other services like Wise (formerly TransferWise) or your own bank's international transfer option. These alternatives sometimes offer better exchange rates for large amounts, though they may take longer.
What information you need to send money
To send money to someone's PayPal account, you only need their email address or PayPal username. You do not need their bank details, and they do not need to give you sensitive financial information.
If you are in a country where direct bank transfers are available and you want to send directly to their bank account, you will need their full name (as it appears on the account), their account number, and their bank's routing number or sort code. This is more sensitive information, so only ask for it if you are certain PayPal direct transfers are available in your location and the person is comfortable sharing it.
Never ask someone for their full bank details unless you are certain you need them and you trust the service you are using. PayPal to PayPal transfers are safer because they do not require sharing bank account numbers.
What happens if the transfer fails
If you send money to someone's PayPal account and they never withdraw it, the money stays in their PayPal balance indefinitely. It does not expire or disappear. If they lose access to their account or forget about the money, they can recover it by contacting PayPal, though this may take time.
If you transfer money to your own bank account and the transfer fails (usually because the account details are wrong or the account is closed), PayPal will return the money to your PayPal balance within a few business days. You will see a notification in your account history explaining why it failed. Once it is back in your PayPal balance, you can try again with corrected information.
If a direct bank transfer fails (in countries where this is available), PayPal will attempt to return the money to your PayPal account, but this can take longer — sometimes up to two weeks. Check your account history regularly to see whether the transfer went through or was returned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send money from PayPal to someone's bank account if I'm in the United States?
No, PayPal does not offer direct bank transfers from your account to someone else's bank account in the United States. Your best option is to send the money to their PayPal account, and they can withdraw it to their bank from there.
How long does it take for money to appear in someone's bank account after I send it through PayPal?
If you send to their PayPal account, the money appears in their PayPal balance when ready. When they withdraw it to their bank, it takes three to five business days. If you are in a country where direct bank transfers are available, the timeline depends on the receiving bank but is usually three to five business days as well.
What fees does PayPal charge to send money to someone's bank account?
If you send to their PayPal account using your PayPal balance and the "friends and family" option, there is no fee. If you use "goods and services," there is a small percentage fee. Direct bank transfers (where available) may have a flat fee or percentage fee depending on your country. International transfers always include a currency conversion fee.
Is it safe to give someone my bank account details so they can send me money through PayPal?
It is safer to receive money through your PayPal account instead. If you must provide bank details, only do so to someone you trust completely, and only if PayPal's direct bank transfer feature is available in your country. Never share your bank details with someone you do not know or trust.
Can I cancel a PayPal transfer after I have sent it?
If you sent money to someone's PayPal account, you can request a refund, but the person has to accept it. If you sent money to your own bank account, you cannot cancel it once it has been processed, but you can contact PayPal if the transfer failed or went to the wrong account.