You can move money from PayPal to a bank account in two ways: an when ready transfer (which costs a fee) or a standard transfer (which is free but takes one to three business days)
The method you choose depends on how quickly you need the money and whether you want to pay a fee. when ready transfers go through within 30 minutes in most cases, but PayPal charges between 1.5% and 2% of the amount you send, with a minimum fee of 25 cents. Standard transfers cost nothing and arrive within one to three business days, depending on your bank.
Both methods require that your bank account is already linked to your PayPal account and verified. If you haven't done that yet, you'll need to add your account information and confirm it first — PayPal deposits two small amounts to your bank account, and you enter those amounts back into PayPal to prove you own the account.
Key Takeaways
- when ready transfers cost 1.5% to 2% of the amount but arrive within 30 minutes; standard transfers are free but take one to three business days.
- Your bank account must be linked and verified in PayPal before you can transfer money to it.
- You initiate transfers from the Wallet section of your PayPal account, not from your bank's website.
- If a transfer fails, PayPal returns the money to your PayPal balance within one to three business days.
- Some banks flag PayPal transfers as unusual activity; contact your bank beforehand if you're moving a large amount.
How to link and verify your bank account
Go to your PayPal account settings and select "Wallet" or "Banks and Cards," depending on which version of the PayPal interface you're using. Click "Link a Bank Account" and enter your routing number and account number. You can find both on a blank check, or call your bank's customer service line and ask for them.
PayPal will deposit two small amounts (usually between 1 and 5 cents each) into your account within one to two business days. Log back into PayPal, go to the same section, and enter those two amounts. Once you confirm them, your account is verified and ready to receive transfers.
If you don't see the deposits after three business days, contact PayPal support. Sometimes deposits are delayed by your bank, or PayPal may have entered the account number incorrectly. PayPal can resend the verification deposits if needed.
Steps to transfer money using when ready transfer
Open PayPal and go to your Wallet. Click "Transfer Money" and then "Transfer to Your Bank." Select the bank account you want to send money to (if you have more than one linked). Enter the amount you want to transfer.
PayPal will show you the fee before you confirm — this is your chance to see the exact cost and decide whether to proceed. Click "Transfer Now" to complete the transaction. The money should arrive in your bank account within 30 minutes, though it can occasionally take up to a few hours during high-volume periods.
You'll receive a confirmation email from PayPal with a reference number. Keep this number if you need to contact PayPal about the transfer later. Your bank may also send you a notification that money has been deposited.
Steps to transfer money using standard transfer
Go to your PayPal Wallet and click "Transfer Money," then "Transfer to Your Bank." Select your bank account and enter the amount. This time, PayPal will show you "Standard Transfer" as the option, with no fee displayed.
Click "Transfer Now." The money will leave your PayPal balance when ready, but it won't appear in your bank account for one to three business days. The exact timing depends on your bank's processing speed — some banks deposit PayPal transfers the next business day, while others take the full three days.
You'll receive a confirmation email with a reference number and an estimated arrival date. If the money doesn't arrive by that date, check your bank's website first to see if it's pending. If it's not there, contact PayPal with your reference number.
What to do if a transfer fails or gets rejected
If PayPal can't complete a transfer, the money returns to your PayPal balance within one to three business days. The most common reasons for failure are: the bank account information is incorrect, your bank rejected the transfer, or your account doesn't have enough funds (though this is rare with PayPal transfers).
Check your PayPal transaction history to see the reason for the failure. If it says "Bank Account Not Found" or similar, your routing number or account number may be wrong. Go back to your Wallet, verify the account information, and correct it if needed. Then try the transfer again.
If the reason says "Bank Rejected," contact your bank directly. Ask them whether they've blocked PayPal transfers or flagged your account for unusual activity. Some banks require you to call and authorize the transfer beforehand, especially for large amounts. Once your bank confirms they'll accept it, try again from PayPal.
Why your bank might flag or delay a PayPal transfer
Banks sometimes treat PayPal transfers as suspicious, especially if you've never received one before or if the amount is unusually large for your account. Your bank may hold the money for a few hours or a few days while they verify it's legitimate. This is a security measure and is not PayPal's fault.
If you're moving a significant amount — what counts as significant varies by bank, but generally anything over $1,000 — call your bank before you initiate the transfer. Tell them you're expecting a deposit from PayPal and provide the approximate amount and timing. This can prevent delays and reduce the chance of the transfer being rejected.
Check your bank's website or app to see if the transfer is pending. If it shows as pending, it will arrive once your bank completes their review. If it doesn't show up at all after three business days, contact PayPal with your reference number and ask them to investigate.
Fees and limits on PayPal transfers
when ready transfers cost between 1.5% and 2% of the amount transferred, with a minimum fee of 25 cents. This means if you transfer $10, you'll pay 25 cents; if you transfer $100, you'll pay $1.50 to $2.00. PayPal shows the exact fee before you confirm, so you always know the cost upfront.
Standard transfers are completely free. There are no daily or monthly limits on how much you can transfer, but PayPal may limit transfers if your account is new or if you've had disputes or chargebacks in the past. If you hit a limit, PayPal will tell you when you try to transfer and explain how long you need to wait before trying again.
Your bank may have its own limits on how much money can be deposited in a single day or month. Check with your bank if you're planning to transfer a very large amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a standard transfer actually take?
One to three business days is the official window, but most transfers arrive within one business day. Weekends and bank holidays don't count as business days, so a transfer initiated on Friday may not arrive until Monday or Tuesday. If you initiate a transfer after your bank's cutoff time (usually 5 p.m. or later), it may not process until the next business day.
Can I transfer money to someone else's bank account?
No. PayPal transfers to bank accounts only work if the account is linked to your own PayPal account. To send money to someone else, use PayPal's "Send Money" feature, which lets you send to their email address or phone number. They'll receive the money in their PayPal account, and they can then transfer it to their own bank account.
What if I accidentally transferred money to the wrong bank account?
Contact PayPal when ready with your reference number. If the transfer hasn't been processed yet, PayPal may be able to cancel it and return the money to your balance. Once the money reaches the bank account, PayPal cannot retrieve it — you'll need to contact the bank that received the money and ask them to return it, which they may or may not do depending on their policies.
Do I need to verify my identity to transfer money?
Not for small transfers. If you're moving a large amount or if PayPal suspects unusual activity, they may ask you to verify your identity by uploading a photo of your ID or answering security questions. This is a one-time process and protects your account from fraud.
Can I set up automatic transfers from PayPal to my bank account?
PayPal does not offer automatic recurring transfers. You have to initiate each transfer manually. However, you can set up a reminder on your phone or calendar to transfer money on a regular schedule if you want to automate the process on your end.