You can close your PayPal account yourself, but the process depends on whether you have money in it or pending transactions
PayPal lets you close your account through your account settings, but the steps change based on your account balance and activity. If your account is empty and has no pending payments, you can delete it in minutes. If you have money sitting in your PayPal balance or active transactions in progress, you'll need to resolve those first — PayPal won't let you close an account with funds or obligations still attached.
The account removal is permanent. Once deleted, you cannot reopen the same account or recover any transaction history. If you think you might need PayPal again later, consider deactivating instead of closing, though PayPal does not offer a formal "deactivate" option — you straightforward stop using the account and it goes dormant.
Key Takeaways
- You must withdraw or transfer your entire PayPal balance to a linked bank account or card before closing the account.
- Any pending payments, open disputes, or active subscriptions will block account closure until they are resolved.
- Account closure is permanent and cannot be reversed; you lose all transaction records and cannot use the same email address to create a new PayPal account for 30 days.
- If you have a business account, you may need to contact PayPal support directly because the self-service closure option may not appear in your settings.
- Closing your account does not cancel linked bank accounts or cards — you must unlink them separately if you want to remove PayPal's access.
Empty your PayPal balance before you start
PayPal will not let you close an account that holds any balance, even $0.01. Log into your account and go to your Wallet or Balance section to see how much money is there. If you have funds, you have two options: transfer the money to a linked bank account, or request a check.
To transfer to your bank, go to Wallet, select your balance, and choose "Transfer to Your Bank." PayPal will ask you to pick a linked bank account and confirm the amount. The transfer usually takes 1 to 3 business days. If you don't have a bank account linked, you can add one during this step — you'll need your routing number and account number. Alternatively, you can request a check by phone at 1-888-221-1161, though this takes 7 to 10 business days and PayPal may charge a fee.
Resolve any pending transactions or disputes
If you have sent money that hasn't been claimed, received a payment that's still pending, or have an open dispute or claim, your account cannot be closed. Check your Activity or Transaction History for anything marked "Pending," "Unclaimed," or "In Progress."
For unclaimed payments you sent, you can cancel them from your transaction history — the money will return to your account, which you can then withdraw. For payments you received that are still pending, wait for them to clear (usually 21 days) before closing. If you have an open dispute or resolution case, you must wait for PayPal to close it, which can take 30 to 180 days depending on the type. You cannot close your account while a case is active.
Unlink your bank accounts and cards
Before you close your account, remove any linked bank accounts and cards. This prevents PayPal from retaining access to your banking information and stops any future charges if someone gains access to your account details after closure.
Go to Settings, then Wallet, and select each linked bank account or card. Choose "Remove" or "Unlink." PayPal will ask you to confirm. Some cards or accounts may take a few minutes to disappear from your list. If you see a card or bank account you don't recognize, remove it when ready and consider changing your bank password.
Cancel active subscriptions tied to PayPal
If you have subscriptions or recurring payments set up through PayPal — streaming services, software, memberships — you must cancel them before closing your account. PayPal will not do this for you, and the merchant may continue trying to charge your account after it's closed, which can cause problems.
Go to Settings, then Payments, then Manage Automatic Payments. You'll see a list of all merchants with permission to charge you. Click each one and select "Cancel" or "Turn Off." Some merchants also let you cancel from their own website or app, which is often faster. After you cancel, wait a few days to confirm no new charges appear before you proceed with closing your account.
Close your account through Settings
Once your balance is zero, all pending transactions are resolved, and subscriptions are cancelled, you're ready to close. Log into PayPal, go to Settings (the gear icon), and scroll down to find "Close Your Account" or "Account Closure." Click it and PayPal will ask you to confirm your reason for closing and verify your password.
Read the confirmation screen carefully — it will tell you that closure is permanent and that you cannot use the same email address to open a new PayPal account for 30 days. If you're certain, click "Close Account" or "Confirm Closure." PayPal will send a confirmation email to the address on file. Your account will be deleted within a few minutes, though it may take up to 24 hours for all systems to fully process the closure.
If you have a business account or cannot find the closure option
Business accounts, Premier accounts, and some merchant accounts do not have a self-service closure button in Settings. If you've followed the steps above and don't see a "Close Your Account" option, contact PayPal Support directly. You can reach them through the Help Center by selecting "Contact Us" and choosing "Account and Login Issues," or call 1-888-221-1161.
Have your account email address and the last four digits of any linked card or bank account ready. PayPal support can close your account manually, but they will still require that your balance is zero and all pending transactions are resolved. The process may take a few business days.
What happens after your account is closed
Once closed, your account cannot be reopened. All transaction history, invoices, and records are deleted and cannot be recovered. You cannot use the same email address to create a new PayPal account for 30 days. If you try to log in after closure, you'll see a message saying the account no longer exists.
If someone sends you money to your old PayPal email address after closure, PayPal will hold it for 30 days and then return it to the sender. Merchants who have your PayPal email on file for refunds or chargebacks may not be able to process them, so consider updating your payment information with any merchants you do business with regularly before you close.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen my PayPal account after closing it?
No. Once closed, the account is permanently deleted. You can create a new account with the same email address after 30 days, but it will be a fresh account with no history or connection to the old one.
What if I have a refund pending from a merchant?
Wait for the refund to arrive before closing your account. If a merchant tries to refund money to a closed PayPal account, the refund will fail and the merchant may contact you for an alternative payment method. Check your transaction history for any refunds marked "Pending" or "In Progress."
Will closing my PayPal account affect my credit score?
No. Closing a PayPal account does not appear on your credit report and has no impact on your credit score. PayPal is not a credit provider unless you used PayPal Credit, in which case closing your account does not affect credit — only the Credit line itself does.
Can I close my account if I owe PayPal money?
No. If you have a negative balance or owe PayPal fees or chargebacks, you must settle the debt first. PayPal will not close an account with outstanding obligations. Contact PayPal Support to arrange payment.
What if I forgot my password and can't log in to close my account?
Use the "Forgot Password" link on the PayPal login page to reset it. If you no longer have access to the email address on file, contact PayPal Support with proof of identity. They can help you regain access or close the account on your behalf.