Yes, you can send money from PayPal to a bank account
Money moves from PayPal to a bank account through a process called a transfer. You start the transfer in your PayPal account, choose which bank account to send it to, and PayPal moves the funds there. The money does not arrive when ready — it takes one to three business days for most transfers, though PayPal offers a faster option that costs a small fee.
You can transfer money you received in PayPal, money you added from your bank, or money you earned through PayPal's payment services. The main limit is that you can only transfer to a bank account that is registered in your name and in the same country as your PayPal account.
Key Takeaways
- Standard transfers from PayPal to a bank account take one to three business days and cost nothing.
- You must link your bank account to PayPal first by providing your routing number and account number, which PayPal verifies with two small test deposits.
- PayPal offers an when ready transfer option that moves money in minutes but charges a fee of around 1.5 percent of the amount you transfer.
- You can only transfer to a bank account registered in your own name in the same country as your PayPal account.
- If your transfer does not arrive after three business days, contact PayPal support with your transaction ID to investigate the delay.
How to link your bank account to PayPal
Before you can transfer money out, PayPal needs to confirm that the bank account belongs to you. Go to your PayPal account settings, find the "Wallet" or "Banks and Cards" section (the exact name varies by device), and select "Link a Bank Account." You will enter your bank's name, your account type (checking or savings), your routing number, and your account number.
PayPal then sends two small deposits — usually between 1 and 2 dollars each — to your bank account. These deposits appear in your bank account within a few business days. Once you see them, you return to PayPal and confirm the exact amounts of those two deposits. This confirms that you own the account. After that, your bank account is linked and ready to receive transfers.
If you do not know your routing number, your bank's website has it, or you can call your bank and ask. Your account number is on the bottom left of your checks, or you can log into your bank's website to find it.
Standard transfers versus when ready transfers
A standard transfer is free and takes one to three business days. PayPal processes it when ready, but your bank takes time to receive and post the funds. Weekends and bank holidays add to the wait — a transfer you start on Friday afternoon might not show up until Wednesday.
An when ready transfer moves money to your bank account in minutes, but PayPal charges a fee. The fee is usually around 1.5 percent of the amount you transfer, though it varies slightly by the type of account and the amount. For example, transferring $100 when ready might cost $1.50. You choose when ready transfer at the moment you start the transfer, and you see the fee before you confirm.
Use standard transfer if you can wait a few days. Use when ready transfer if you need the money right away and the fee is worth it to you.
What happens if your transfer gets stuck
Most transfers arrive on time, but occasionally one does not. If three business days have passed and the money has not shown up in your bank account, log into PayPal and look for the transaction in your activity history. Find the transfer and look for a status — it will say "completed," "pending," or "failed."
If it says "completed," the money left PayPal and your bank has it. Contact your bank and give them the date and amount. Your bank can trace it from there. If it says "pending," wait another business day — it is still on its way. If it says "failed," PayPal will usually tell you why (wrong account number, account closed, or a problem with your bank). PayPal will return the money to your PayPal balance, and you can try again with corrected information.
If you cannot figure out what happened, contact PayPal support through the Resolution Center in your account. Have your transaction ID ready — it is a long number next to the transfer in your activity history.
Limits on how much you can transfer
PayPal sets limits on how much you can transfer in a single transaction and how much you can transfer in a rolling 24-hour period. These limits depend on how long you have had your account, whether you have confirmed your identity with PayPal, and your account history. A brand-new account might have a limit of a few hundred dollars per transfer, while an established account might be able to transfer thousands.
You can see your transfer limit by starting a transfer and looking at what amount PayPal lets you enter. If you need to transfer more than your limit allows, you can transfer multiple times over several days, or you can contact PayPal to ask about raising your limit. PayPal may ask you to confirm your identity with a government ID or other documents before raising a limit.
Why PayPal might refuse a transfer
PayPal will not complete a transfer if the bank account name does not match your PayPal account name, if the account is in a different country, or if the account is closed. PayPal also blocks transfers if it detects unusual activity on your account — for example, if someone else tried to log in, or if you suddenly tried to transfer a much larger amount than usual.
If your transfer was refused, PayPal sends a message to your account explaining why. Read that message carefully — it usually tells you exactly what to fix. If the issue is a name mismatch, you may need to update your PayPal name or link a different bank account. If the issue is security, PayPal may ask you to confirm your identity or change your password before allowing transfers again.
Transferring money from PayPal to a savings account versus a checking account
PayPal can send money to either a checking account or a savings account, as long as it is linked to your PayPal account. The process is identical — you choose which account to transfer to when you start the transfer. The only practical difference is that some savings accounts have limits on how many transfers you can make per month, so if you transfer very often, a checking account may be more convenient.
Some people keep a savings account linked to PayPal for safety — if someone gains access to their PayPal account, the attacker can only transfer to the account they have already linked. If you want to add an extra layer of security, link only a savings account and keep most of your money there, transferring to checking only when you need to spend it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it really take for money to show up in my bank account?
Standard transfers usually arrive within one to three business days, but the exact timing depends on your bank. Some banks post transfers the same day PayPal sends them; others take two or three days. Weekends and holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer started on Friday may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday.
Can I transfer money to someone else's bank account?
No. PayPal only transfers to a bank account registered in your own name. If you want to send money to someone else, use PayPal's "Send Money" feature to transfer it to their PayPal account or email address instead.
What if I do not have a bank account yet?
You cannot transfer money out of PayPal without a linked bank account. You can keep the money in your PayPal balance and use it to pay for things online, or you can open a bank account at a local bank or credit union and link it to PayPal. Some banks offer accounts specifically for people new to banking.
Is there a fee for standard transfers?
No. Standard transfers are free. PayPal only charges a fee for when ready transfers, which cost around 1.5 percent of the amount you transfer.
What if my bank account information changes?
If you close your bank account or switch banks, you need to unlink the old account in PayPal and link your new one. Go to your wallet settings, find the linked account, and remove it. Then add your new bank account using the same verification process as before.