The basic steps to link your bank account
You connect a bank account to PayPal through your account settings, and the process takes about five minutes. PayPal will verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into your bank account within one to two business days, then ask you to confirm those amounts back in PayPal. Once confirmed, your bank account is linked and you can transfer money between them.
The reason PayPal does this verification step is to confirm you own the account. It's a security measure that protects both you and the bank. You'll need your bank's routing number and your account number to start — both appear on the bottom left of a check, or you can find them by logging into your bank's website.
You cannot link a savings account that is held in someone else's name, or a joint account unless your name appears on it. PayPal's system checks the name on the bank account against the name on your PayPal profile, and they must match.
Key Takeaways
- You start the linking process in PayPal's Wallet or Settings section, enter your bank's routing number and your account number, and PayPal deposits two small verification amounts within one to two business days.
- You must confirm those two amounts back in PayPal to complete the link, which usually takes another one to two business days after you see the deposits in your bank account.
- Your bank account name must match the name on your PayPal profile exactly, or the verification will fail.
- Once linked, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account (usually within one to three business days) or use your bank account as a funding source when you send money through PayPal.
Where to find the linking option in PayPal
Log into PayPal on a computer or through the mobile app. On a computer, click the gear icon in the top right corner, then select "Wallet" from the menu on the left. On the mobile app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, then tap "Wallet."
In the Wallet section, you'll see a list of payment methods you've already added. Look for a button or link that says "Link a bank account" or "Add a bank account" — the exact wording varies depending on whether you already have one linked. Click or tap that button to begin.
PayPal will ask whether you want to link a U.S. bank account or an account outside the U.S. Select the correct country, then enter your bank's routing number and your account number. You'll also confirm your account type (checking or savings) and the name on the account.
What happens during the verification period
After you submit your bank details, PayPal sends two deposits to your account. These usually arrive within one to two business days, depending on your bank's processing speed. The amounts are random and small — typically between $0.01 and $0.99 each. Your bank will show them as deposits from PayPal.
While you're waiting for those deposits to appear, you can continue using PayPal normally. You just won't be able to transfer money to or from that specific bank account until the verification is complete. If you have other payment methods linked (a credit card, for example), you can still use those.
Once you see both deposits in your bank account, log back into PayPal and go to the same Wallet section. PayPal will prompt you to enter the two amounts you received. Type them in exactly as they appear — for example, if one deposit was $0.47, enter it as 0.47. After you confirm both amounts, the account is linked and ready to use.
How to transfer money once the account is linked
To move money from PayPal to your bank account, go to your Wallet, find the linked bank account in your list of payment methods, and select "Transfer to bank." Enter the amount you want to transfer and confirm. PayPal will show you the expected arrival date, which is usually one to three business days depending on your bank.
You can also use your linked bank account as a funding source when you're sending money to someone else through PayPal. Instead of paying from your PayPal balance, you can choose to pull the money directly from your bank account. This is useful if your PayPal balance is low or if you want to keep that balance for something else.
There are no fees to transfer money from PayPal to your bank account, and there are no fees to use your bank account as a funding source for payments. PayPal makes money from transaction fees when merchants accept payments, not from moving your own money around.
What to do if verification fails
If PayPal doesn't receive the two deposits after three to five business days, or if you enter the amounts incorrectly and the verification fails, you'll see an error message in your Wallet. The most common reason this happens is that the bank account name doesn't match your PayPal profile name exactly — including middle initials, suffixes, or the way the name is spelled.
If the name is the problem, you have two options. You can update your PayPal profile name to match the bank account, or you can unlink the account and try again with a different bank account that matches your current PayPal name. To unlink, go to Wallet, find the account, and select "Remove" or "Unlink."
If the deposits arrived but you're not sure what amounts they were, check your bank statement carefully — they may be listed under a different date than you expected, or grouped with other transactions. If you still can't find them after a week, contact PayPal's support team with your bank statement showing the date range you're looking at. They can see the deposits on their end and help you confirm the amounts.
Linking a bank account from outside the United States
PayPal supports bank accounts in many countries, but the process and requirements vary. If you're linking an account outside the U.S., PayPal may ask for additional information like your bank's SWIFT code or IBAN (International Bank Account Number) instead of a routing number and account number.
The verification process is the same — two small deposits followed by confirmation — but the timeline may be longer because international transfers move more slowly. Allow up to five to seven business days for the deposits to arrive, depending on your country and bank.
Some countries have restrictions on which types of accounts PayPal can link, or on what you can do with a linked account. Before you start, check PayPal's help center for your specific country to see whether there are any limitations that affect you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link multiple bank accounts to one PayPal account?
Yes. You can link as many bank accounts as you want, as long as each account is in your name and passes verification. In your Wallet, you can choose which account to transfer to or use as a funding source for each transaction.
What if my bank account name has changed since I opened it?
Update your bank account name with your bank first, then try linking again in PayPal. If you've already linked it and verification failed, unlink it and start over. PayPal's system checks the current name on file at your bank, not the name you remember from when you opened the account.
How long does it take to transfer money from PayPal to my bank account?
Most transfers arrive within one to three business days. The exact timeline depends on your bank's processing speed and whether the transfer is initiated on a weekday or weekend. Transfers initiated on Friday evening may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday.
Is it safe to give PayPal my bank account number?
PayPal is a major payment processor that handles millions of bank account links. Your account number is encrypted and stored securely. The verification deposits are PayPal's way of confirming you own the account before they store it. If you're uncomfortable, you can link a credit card instead and skip the bank account entirely.
What happens if I unlink my bank account?
Unlinking removes the account from your PayPal profile, but it doesn't affect your bank account itself. You can link it again later by going through the same verification process. Any pending transfers to that account will still go through if they were already initiated before you unlinked it.