PayPal gives you two ways to stop using your account: you can limit what it does, or you can delete it entirely
If you want to close your PayPal account completely, you go through your account settings to request permanent deletion. PayPal will review the request, make sure you have no pending transactions or money in the account, and then remove it. The process takes a few days to a few weeks depending on whether PayPal needs to ask you questions.
Before you start, understand that deletion is permanent — you cannot reopen the same account. If you think you might use PayPal again later, you have a middle option: you can keep the account but deactivate it so you cannot send or receive money. This section covers the full deletion path. If you want to pause your account instead, that option appears in the same settings menu.
Key Takeaways
- You request account deletion through the Settings menu under Account Closure, not through a separate website or phone call.
- PayPal will reject your deletion request if you have money in your account, pending transactions, or active subscriptions — you must resolve these first.
- The deletion process takes several days to several weeks; PayPal may contact you to confirm your identity or ask why you are leaving.
- Once deleted, your account cannot be reopened, so if you might use PayPal again, consider deactivating instead of deleting.
- If you have a business account, the deletion process is the same, but you should read your transaction history before you start.
What you need to do before you request deletion
PayPal will not delete your account while money is sitting in it. If you have a balance, transfer it to your linked bank account or debit card. Go to your Wallet, select your balance, and choose Transfer to Your Bank. This usually takes one to three business days.
Next, cancel any active subscriptions or recurring payments you have set up through PayPal. This includes monthly memberships, automatic bill payments, or any service that charges your PayPal account on a schedule. You can see these in your Settings under Payments. If you do not cancel them first, PayPal will reject your deletion request.
Check that you have no pending transactions — money you sent that has not cleared, or money someone sent to you that you have not received yet. Wait for these to complete. If you have an open dispute or a claim filed against your account, you must resolve it before deletion is possible.
How to request deletion through your account settings
Log into your PayPal account on the website or app. Go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right on desktop, or the menu icon on mobile). Select Account, then look for Account Closure or Close Account — the exact wording varies slightly by region.
PayPal will show you a form asking why you want to close your account. You can choose from a list of reasons or write your own. Fill this out honestly; PayPal uses this information to understand why people leave, but your answer does not affect whether your request is approved. Click the button to request closure.
You will see a confirmation message saying your request has been submitted. PayPal will send you an email confirming receipt. Do not close your browser or log out when ready — take a screenshot of the confirmation page in case you need to reference it later.
What happens after you submit your deletion request
PayPal reviews your request within a few business days. During this time, they check that your account has no balance, no pending transactions, and no active subscriptions. If everything is clear, they proceed with deletion.
If PayPal finds a problem — for example, a subscription you thought you cancelled is still active, or a transaction is still pending — they will email you explaining what needs to be resolved. You log back in, fix the issue, and resubmit your request. This back-and-forth can add one to two weeks to the timeline.
Once PayPal approves the deletion, the account is removed from their system. This final step takes a few more days. You will receive a final email confirming that your account has been closed. After this point, you cannot log in, and the account cannot be reopened.
The difference between deactivating and deleting your account
Deactivation is temporary and reversible. When you deactivate your account, you cannot send or receive money, but the account still exists. You can reactivate it anytime by logging back in. Deactivation is useful if you are taking a break from PayPal but might return.
Deletion is permanent. Once your account is deleted, it is gone. You cannot get it back, and you cannot create a new account with the same email address for 30 days. If you think there is any chance you will use PayPal again — even in a few years — deactivation is the safer choice.
Both options are found in the same Account Closure menu. Choose Deactivate if you want to pause, or Close Account if you want to delete permanently.
What to do if PayPal will not delete your account
The most common reason PayPal blocks deletion is an active subscription or recurring payment you did not know about. Check your Payments section carefully, including any free trials that auto-renew. Cancel everything, wait a few days, and resubmit.
If you have a dispute or claim on your account — even one you think is resolved — PayPal will not delete until it is fully closed. Contact PayPal's Resolution Center to check the status. You may need to wait for a dispute period to expire before deletion is possible.
If you have a business account, PayPal sometimes requires additional verification before deletion. They may ask you to confirm your business information or provide documentation. Respond to any emails from PayPal promptly; delays in responding can extend the timeline significantly.
Protecting yourself after deletion
Once your account is deleted, you cannot receive money through PayPal anymore. If anyone tries to send you money to your old PayPal email address, that payment will fail. Make sure anyone who regularly sends you money knows you are closing your account and has an alternative way to reach you.
If you had PayPal linked to other services — shopping sites, subscription services, or apps — those links will break. You will need to update your payment method on those services before your next charge is due. Go through your email and look for receipts from services you use regularly, then update each one.
Keep records of any transactions from the past few years in case you need them for taxes or disputes. You can read your transaction history before you delete your account by going to Settings, then Activity, and selecting read. Save this file somewhere safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my PayPal account if I have a pending payment?
No. You must wait for all pending transactions to complete before PayPal will process your deletion request. A pending payment is one that has been sent but not yet received or cleared. Check your Activity section to see the status of recent transactions, and wait until they show as completed.
What happens to my transaction history after my account is deleted?
PayPal keeps your transaction history on file for their records, but you will not be able to access it through your account. read your transaction history before you delete your account if you need it for taxes, disputes, or personal records. Go to Settings, Activity, and select read.
Can I use the same email address to create a new PayPal account after deletion?
Not when ready. PayPal requires a 30-day waiting period before you can create a new account with the same email address. If you need to use PayPal sooner, you can create a new account with a different email address right away.
Do I need to call PayPal to delete my account, or can I do it online?
You can do it entirely online through your account settings. You do not need to call or contact PayPal directly to request deletion. However, if PayPal has questions about your request, they will email you, and you may need to respond to move the process forward.
What if I change my mind after I request deletion?
If you change your mind before PayPal completes the deletion, contact PayPal when ready through the Resolution Center or by responding to their confirmation email. If you catch it early enough, you may be able to cancel the request. Once the account is fully deleted, you cannot undo it.