PayPal gives you four ways to move your balance to a bank account, and the method you choose depends on speed and whether you want the money in your checking or savings account

The most common route is a standard transfer, which takes one to two business days and costs nothing. PayPal also offers an when ready transfer option that moves money within minutes but charges a small fee — usually 1% of the amount, with a minimum of 25 cents. A third option is to request a check mailed to your address, which takes five to seven business days. The fourth is to use your PayPal debit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, which is when ready but only works if you have the card.

Before you can transfer anything, you need to link a bank account to your PayPal account. This means providing your routing number and account number, which PayPal verifies by depositing two small amounts into your account — usually within one to two business days. Once verified, you can transfer money whenever you want.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard transfers from PayPal to a linked bank account take one to two business days and have no fee.
  • when ready transfers move money within minutes but cost 1% of the amount you send, with a 25-cent minimum.
  • You must link and verify a bank account before any transfer can happen, which requires your routing and account numbers.
  • PayPal holds some balances for security reasons — if your account is new or you received money unexpectedly, the transfer may be delayed.
  • If you do not have a linked bank account, you can request a check or use a PayPal debit card to access your balance.

How to link your bank account to PayPal

Open PayPal on a computer or the mobile app and go to your Wallet or Account Settings. Look for the option to add a bank account or payment method. PayPal will ask for your bank's name, your account type (checking or savings), your account number, and your routing number. You can find both numbers on the bottom left of a check, or by calling your bank.

After you enter this information, PayPal deposits two small amounts — usually between 1 and 3 cents each — into your account within one to two business days. Check your bank statement for these deposits, then return to PayPal and confirm the amounts. Once confirmed, your account is verified and you can transfer money.

Standard transfers: the free option that takes one to two days

A standard transfer is the default method and costs nothing. Go to your Wallet, select your PayPal balance, and choose "Transfer to Your Bank." Select the bank account you want to use, enter the amount, and confirm. PayPal will show you the expected arrival date — usually one to two business days later.

The timing depends on when you initiate the transfer and your bank's processing schedule. If you transfer on a Friday evening, the money may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday. Weekends and bank holidays add time. Some banks process transfers faster than others, so the arrival date PayPal shows is an estimate, not a may provide.

Standard transfers are held in a queue, meaning if PayPal is processing many transfers at once, yours may take the full two business days. There is no way to speed this up without paying for an when ready transfer.

when ready transfers: minutes instead of days, with a fee

If you need the money right away, PayPal's when ready transfer option moves money to your bank account within minutes. The cost is 1% of the amount transferred, with a minimum fee of 25 cents. So a $100 transfer costs $1, and a $20 transfer costs 25 cents.

To use when ready transfer, go to your Wallet, select your balance, and choose "Transfer to Your Bank." Look for the option that says "when ready" or shows the fee. PayPal will display the exact fee before you confirm. Once you approve, the money usually appears in your account within a few minutes, though it can take up to 30 minutes depending on your bank.

Not all bank accounts may have access to for when ready transfer. PayPal requires that your account be verified and in good standing. If you have had disputes or chargebacks, or if your account is very new, PayPal may not offer when ready transfer even if you have a linked bank account. In that case, you can only use standard transfer.

When PayPal holds your balance and delays transfers

PayPal sometimes places a hold on your balance, which means you cannot transfer it when ready. This happens for several reasons: your account is brand new, you received an unusually large payment, the payment came from an unexpected source, or PayPal flagged the transaction as potentially risky.

A hold can last anywhere from a few days to 21 days, depending on the reason. During this time, you can still see the money in your account and spend it on PayPal, but you cannot transfer it to your bank. PayPal will tell you the hold date in your transaction history — look for a message that says "This payment is on hold until [date]."

If you believe a hold is a mistake, you can contact PayPal's Resolution Center to request an early release. PayPal may ask you to confirm the transaction or provide proof that the payment was legitimate. This does not always work, but it is worth trying if the hold is preventing you from accessing money you need.

Requesting a check instead of a bank transfer

If you do not have a linked bank account or prefer not to use one, PayPal can mail you a check. Go to your Wallet, select your balance, and look for the option to request a check. Enter the amount you want and confirm your mailing address. PayPal will mail the check within five to seven business days.

Checks take longer than transfers and cost PayPal money to produce, so this option is slower and less convenient. However, it works if your bank account is not yet verified or if you want to keep your banking information separate from PayPal. Once the check arrives, you deposit it like any other check — either at your bank or through mobile deposit if your bank offers it.

Using a PayPal debit card to access your balance

If you have a PayPal debit card, you can withdraw cash from any ATM that accepts Mastercard. This is the fastest way to access your balance — the money is available when ready. However, most ATMs charge a fee for out-of-network withdrawals, usually $2 to $3 per transaction. PayPal also charges a fee for some ATM withdrawals, depending on the card type.

The PayPal debit card is useful if you need cash right away, but it is not a substitute for transferring money to your bank account. If you want the money in your checking or savings account, a transfer is the better option. The debit card is best for spending directly or withdrawing small amounts of cash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my transfer taking longer than PayPal said it would?

Bank processing times vary. If PayPal said one to two business days and it has been three days, your bank may be processing slower than usual, or the transfer may have been initiated late in the day. Contact your bank to confirm they received the transfer. If they did not, contact PayPal to check the status.

Can I transfer to a savings account instead of checking?

Yes. When you link your bank account, you choose whether it is checking or savings. You can link both and select which one to transfer to each time. Some banks process transfers to savings accounts slightly slower, but the difference is usually one business day or less.

What happens if I transfer money and then my PayPal account gets closed?

Once the transfer leaves PayPal and enters your bank's system, it is no longer PayPal's responsibility. Your bank will complete the deposit even if your PayPal account is closed. However, if the transfer is still pending when your account closes, PayPal may cancel it and return the money to your balance.

Is there a limit to how much I can transfer at once?

PayPal sets limits based on your account age and history. New accounts may have lower limits — sometimes $500 to $1,000 per transfer. Older, verified accounts can usually transfer larger amounts. Check your account settings to see your limit, or contact PayPal if you want to transfer more than the limit allows.

Do I pay taxes on money I transfer from PayPal to my bank?

Transferring your own money to your bank is not a taxable event. However, if the money in your PayPal account came from selling goods or services, that income is taxable. The transfer itself does not create a tax liability — the income is taxable when you receive it, not when you move it to your bank.