How to delete your PayPal account
You can close your PayPal account through your account settings, but PayPal requires you to settle any balance first — whether that means withdrawing money you have or paying off what you owe. The process takes a few minutes once your account is clear, and PayPal will send you a confirmation email when it is done. After closure, you cannot use that account to send or receive money, though PayPal keeps your transaction history for their records.
Before you start, check that you have no pending transactions, no money sitting in your account, and no outstanding balance. If you have a PayPal Credit line or a PayPal Working Capital loan, those must be paid in full before you can close the account. The same applies if you owe money from a dispute or a chargeback.
Key Takeaways
- Your PayPal account balance must be zero — either withdrawn or paid off — before you can close it.
- Any active disputes, chargebacks, or loans tied to your account will block closure until they are resolved.
- The deletion request is made in your account settings under Resolution Center or Account Settings, depending on your account type.
- PayPal sends a confirmation email once your account is closed, and you will no longer be able to log in.
- If you change your mind within 90 days, you may be able to reopen your account by contacting PayPal directly.
Check your account balance and pending activity
Log into your PayPal account and go to your Wallet or Summary page to see how much money you have. If you have a positive balance (money PayPal is holding), you will need to withdraw it to your bank account or debit card before you close the account. This usually takes one to three business days, so plan ahead if you are not in a rush.
While you are there, check the Activity or History section for any transactions that are still pending. If you sent money as a goods-and-services payment or a friends-and-family transfer that has not been claimed yet, the recipient can still accept it after you close your account — but you will not be able to cancel it. If you have any open disputes or chargebacks, those must be resolved first. You can see these in your Resolution Center.
Withdraw your remaining balance
If you have money in your PayPal account, go to your Wallet and select the option to transfer to your bank or card. You will need to choose which bank account or debit card to send it to. If you have not linked a bank account yet, you can add one during this step — PayPal will ask for your routing number and account number, which you can find on a check or by logging into your bank's website.
PayPal does not charge a fee to withdraw to a linked bank account, but the transfer itself takes time. Standard transfers usually arrive within one to three business days. If you need the money faster, some accounts offer when ready transfers for a small fee, though this varies by account type and location. Once the money has left your PayPal account, you are ready to move forward with closure.
Pay off any balance or debt
If you owe PayPal money — from a dispute ruling, a chargeback, a loan, or any other reason — you must pay it before you can close your account. Go to your account settings and look for any outstanding balance or debt notice. If you see one, PayPal will tell you how much you owe and the important date to pay.
You can usually pay what you owe using a bank account, debit card, or credit card linked to your PayPal account. If you have a PayPal Credit line or a Working Capital loan, you will need to pay the full amount owed, not just the minimum. Contact PayPal's Resolution Center if you are unsure what you owe or if you believe a charge is incorrect.
Close your account through settings
Once your balance is zero and you have no pending issues, log into PayPal and go to Settings. The exact path depends on whether you are using the website or the app, but look for Account Settings or Account Information. Scroll down until you find an option that says Close Account, Deactivate Account, or Delete Account — the wording varies slightly by region and account type.
Click that option and PayPal will ask you to confirm. You may be asked why you are closing the account — this is optional, but PayPal sometimes uses the feedback to improve their service. After you confirm, PayPal will process the closure and send you a confirmation email. Your account will be closed within a few minutes, though it may take up to 24 hours for the change to show everywhere.
What happens after your account closes
Once your account is closed, you cannot log in, send money, or receive money through that PayPal account. Any invoices or payment buttons linked to that account will stop working. If someone tries to send you money to that email address, the payment will fail and they will be notified that the account is closed.
PayPal keeps your transaction history and account records for their own records and for legal reasons, even after closure. If you need a copy of your transaction history before you close, you can read it from your account settings. You can also request your data from PayPal under privacy laws, though this is a separate process from account closure.
Reopening your account if you change your mind
If you close your account and then change your mind within 90 days, you may be able to reopen it by logging back in with your email and password. PayPal will sometimes allow you to reactivate a recently closed account without going through the full signup process again. However, this is not may provide — it depends on why you closed the account and PayPal's policies at the time.
If you cannot reopen your account through login, contact PayPal's customer service and explain that you want to reactivate a closed account. They can tell you whether it is possible and what steps to take. After 90 days, you will likely need to create a new account instead, which is treated as a fresh signup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I have money in my account but I do not know how to withdraw it?
Go to your Wallet, select your balance, and look for a Transfer or Withdraw button. Choose your linked bank account or debit card. If you have not linked one yet, you can add it during the withdrawal process. Standard transfers take one to three business days and are free.
Can I close my account if I have an open dispute?
No. You must wait for the dispute to be resolved first. Check your Resolution Center to see the status. Once PayPal has made a ruling and any money has been transferred, you can then close your account.
Will closing my account affect my credit score?
Closing a PayPal account itself does not affect your credit score. However, if you owe money and do not pay it before closing, PayPal may report the debt to a collection agency, which could harm your credit. Pay any balance first.
Can someone else use my email to create a new PayPal account after I close mine?
Yes. Once your account is closed, that email address becomes available for a new account. If you want to prevent this, you can change the email on your account before closing it, though this is not required.
How long does it take for my account to be completely deleted?
PayPal closes your account within minutes to a few hours after you request it. You will receive a confirmation email. However, PayPal keeps your transaction records for legal and tax reasons, so the data is not permanently erased from their systems.