PayPal transfers to your bank account take one to three business days, and the process depends on whether you have a PayPal Cash or PayPal Cash Plus account

If you have a PayPal Cash or PayPal Cash Plus account, you can transfer money directly to a linked bank account through the PayPal app or website. The transfer itself is free, though some banks may charge their own fees on the receiving end. If you have a standard PayPal account (the kind most people use to buy things online), you cannot transfer directly to a bank account — you can only withdraw to a debit card or keep the money in PayPal.

The timing matters: standard transfers take one to three business days, while PayPal's when ready transfer option (available on Cash and Cash Plus accounts) moves money in minutes but charges a small fee, usually between 1% and 2% of the amount. Weekends and holidays can add time to standard transfers.

Key Takeaways

  • Only PayPal Cash and PayPal Cash Plus accounts can transfer directly to a bank account; standard PayPal accounts cannot.
  • Standard transfers are free and take one to three business days; when ready transfers cost 1% to 2% but arrive within minutes.
  • You must link a valid bank account to your PayPal account before you can transfer money out.
  • If you have a standard account and need the money in your bank, you can transfer to a PayPal debit card instead, which arrives the same day.

Linking your bank account to PayPal

Before you can move money out, PayPal needs to verify that the bank account is actually yours. Go to your PayPal account settings, find the "Wallet" or "Banks and Cards" section (the exact name varies by app version), and select "Link a Bank Account." PayPal will ask for your routing number and account number, which you can find on the bottom left of a check or by logging into your bank's website.

After you enter those details, PayPal deposits two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into your bank account over one to two business days. You then return to PayPal and confirm the exact amounts of those deposits. This confirms you own the account. Once verified, the account stays linked and you do not have to repeat this process.

How to transfer money using the PayPal app or website

Open PayPal and look for a button or menu option labeled "Transfer Money," "Withdraw," or "Move Money" — the exact wording depends on your app version and account type. Select the option to transfer to your bank account. PayPal will show you the linked bank account and ask how much you want to transfer.

Choose whether you want a standard transfer (free, one to three business days) or an when ready transfer (costs 1% to 2%, arrives in minutes). Enter the amount, review the details, and confirm. You will see a confirmation number and an estimated arrival date. PayPal will also send you an email confirming the transfer.

What to do if your transfer is delayed

Standard transfers usually arrive within the stated one to three business days. If more than three business days have passed and the money has not shown up, log into your PayPal account and check the transaction history to see the status. PayPal will show whether the transfer is still pending, completed, or failed.

If the status shows "completed" but your bank has not received it, contact your bank directly — the delay is on their end, not PayPal's. If the status shows "failed," PayPal will explain why (usually a mismatch in account details or a problem with the bank account itself). You can then correct the information and try again. PayPal's customer service can be reached through the Resolution Center in your account.

when ready transfers versus standard transfers

when ready transfers move money to your bank account in minutes, but they cost money: typically 1% of the amount transferred, with a minimum fee of around $0.25 and a maximum of around $25 per transfer. Standard transfers are free but take one to three business days. The choice depends on whether you need the money right away or can wait a few days.

Not all banks support when ready transfers, so PayPal may not offer that option for your specific bank account. If you do not see the when ready transfer option, your bank is not yet part of PayPal's when ready network, and you will have to use standard transfer instead.

If you have a standard PayPal account and cannot transfer to your bank

Standard PayPal accounts (used mainly for online shopping) do not have the ability to transfer to a bank account. Your options are to upgrade to PayPal Cash or PayPal Cash Plus, or to transfer your PayPal balance to a PayPal debit card instead. The debit card arrives in the mail and can be used to withdraw cash from ATMs or spend at stores — the money moves from PayPal to the card within one business day.

Upgrading to PayPal Cash or Cash Plus requires you to verify your identity with PayPal (they will ask for your Social Security number and date of birth). Once upgraded, you can transfer directly to your bank account. The upgrade process takes a few minutes and is done entirely within the PayPal app.

Fees and limits on transfers

Standard transfers to your bank account are free. when ready transfers cost 1% to 2% of the amount. Some banks may charge their own fees when money arrives in your account, though most do not — check with your bank if you are unsure.

PayPal does not publicly state a maximum transfer amount, but your bank may have limits on how much money can be deposited in a single day or month. If you are transferring a large amount, contact your bank first to make sure they will accept it without holding the funds for review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer money from PayPal to someone else's bank account?

No. PayPal transfers only go to a bank account that is linked to your own PayPal account. To send money to someone else, use PayPal's "Send Money" feature, which transfers the payment to their PayPal account or email address — they then decide whether to keep it in PayPal or transfer it to their own bank.

What if my bank account information is wrong?

If you entered the wrong routing or account number, the transfer will fail and PayPal will notify you. You can correct the account details in your PayPal wallet and try again. If money was already transferred to the wrong account, contact PayPal's customer service when ready — they may be able to recover it, but the sooner you report it, the better.

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

Transferring your own money from PayPal to your bank is not a taxable event. However, if the money in PayPal came from selling goods or services, that income is taxable. PayPal reports payments over $20,000 and 200 transactions to the IRS on Form 1099-K, so keep records of what the money was for.

How long does it take to link a new bank account?

The verification process takes one to two business days because PayPal deposits two small amounts into your account and waits for them to appear. Once you confirm those amounts in PayPal, the account is linked when ready and you can transfer money right away.

Can I transfer money from PayPal to a savings account or only a checking account?

PayPal can transfer to either a checking or savings account, as long as the account is in your name and you have the routing and account numbers. Some savings accounts have limits on how many transfers you can make per month (often six), so check with your bank if you plan to transfer frequently.