PayPal transfers to your bank take one to three business days, and the method you choose depends on whether you need the money now or can wait

PayPal offers two main ways to get money into your bank account: a standard transfer that takes one to three business days at no cost, and an when ready transfer that arrives within 30 minutes but charges a small fee (usually 1% of the amount, with a minimum of $0.25 and a maximum of $25 per transfer). Which one you use depends on how urgently you need the funds and whether the fee is worth it to you.

Before you can transfer money either way, you need to link a bank account to your PayPal account. This is a one-time setup that takes a few minutes. Once that's done, you can move money out whenever you want—there's no daily or monthly limit on standard transfers, though when ready transfers cap at $25,000 per transaction and $100,000 per calendar day.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard transfers are free and take one to three business days; when ready transfers cost 1% of the amount (capped at $25 per transaction) and arrive within 30 minutes.
  • You must link a bank account to your PayPal account first, which requires your routing number and account number.
  • The transfer initiates from your PayPal wallet balance, not directly from money owed to you—if you have pending payments or holds, you cannot transfer those funds yet.
  • Weekend and holiday transfers process on the next business day, so a Friday transfer may not land until Tuesday.

How to link your bank account to PayPal

Go to your PayPal account settings and select Wallet or Banks and Cards (the exact label varies by account type). Click Link a Bank Account and enter your bank's routing number and your account number. You can find both on a check, or call your bank's customer service line and ask for them.

PayPal will then make two small test deposits to your bank account—usually $0.01 and $0.02—within one to two business days. Once those deposits arrive, you'll return to PayPal and confirm the amounts to verify you own the account. This step prevents someone else from linking your bank account without permission. After confirmation, your account is linked and ready to use.

Transferring money using the standard free method

Open PayPal, go to your Wallet, and look for the balance shown at the top. Click Transfer Money or Move Money (wording depends on your app version). Select Transfer to Your Bank. Choose the linked bank account from the dropdown, enter the amount you want to move, and confirm.

The transfer will show as pending in your PayPal account when ready. Your bank will receive the funds one to three business days later. If you initiate the transfer on a Friday after business hours, or on a weekend or holiday, it will process on the next business day—so it may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday. PayPal will send you an email confirmation once the transfer is complete.

Using when ready transfer when you need money right away

The when ready transfer option appears on the same Transfer Money screen. Select when ready Transfer instead of the standard option, choose your bank account, and enter the amount. PayPal will show you the fee before you confirm—for example, a $100 transfer costs $1, and a $2,500 transfer costs $25 (the maximum).

Once you confirm, the money leaves your PayPal account when ready and should arrive in your bank account within 30 minutes, though it can sometimes take up to a few hours depending on your bank's processing speed. You'll receive a confirmation email. when ready transfers work on weekends and holidays, so this is your only option if you need money outside normal business hours.

What to do if your transfer fails or doesn't arrive

If a standard transfer doesn't arrive within three business days, log into PayPal and check the transaction history under Activity or Transactions. Look for the transfer and see what status it shows. If it's still pending, wait another business day. If it shows completed but the money hasn't hit your bank account, contact your bank first—the delay is usually on their end, not PayPal's.

If PayPal shows the transfer failed, the money returns to your PayPal balance within one to three business days. Common reasons for failure include a closed or incorrect bank account, insufficient funds in your PayPal account (you can only transfer what you actually have), or a temporary issue with your bank's system. Try the transfer again, or contact PayPal's Resolution Center if the problem persists. For when ready transfers that fail, PayPal refunds the fee automatically.

Holds and pending payments that block transfers

If you have a hold on your PayPal account—often placed after a large or unusual transaction—you cannot transfer money until the hold is lifted. Holds typically last 24 hours to 21 days depending on the reason. You'll see a notice in your account explaining the hold and when it will be released.

Similarly, if you have pending payments waiting for the buyer to confirm receipt, or if money is on its way to you from another user, that money won't be available to transfer until it settles. Only your confirmed, available balance can be transferred. If you're unsure why you can't transfer, check your Account Activity for any alerts or messages from PayPal.

Fees, limits, and what happens with currency

Standard transfers are always free. when ready transfers cost 1% of the amount you're moving, with a minimum fee of $0.25 and a maximum of $25 per transaction. There's no daily limit on standard transfers, but when ready transfers cap at $25,000 per transaction and $100,000 per calendar day.

If your PayPal balance is in a currency other than US dollars, PayPal will convert it to dollars before the transfer, using its current exchange rate. The conversion happens automatically, and you'll see the converted amount before you confirm. Some banks may charge their own fee for receiving a transfer from PayPal, though most do not—check with your bank if you're unsure.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. PayPal transfers only go to a bank account linked to your own PayPal account. To send money to someone else, use PayPal's send money feature to transfer directly to their PayPal account or email address, or use a different service like Venmo or a wire transfer through your bank.

What if I unlink my bank account after starting a transfer?

If you unlink the account before the transfer completes, the transfer will fail and the money returns to your PayPal balance. Standard transfers that have already processed cannot be stopped. If you need to change which bank account receives the money, unlink the old one and link a new one before initiating the transfer.

Do I need to have money in my PayPal account to transfer, or can I transfer money owed to me?

You can only transfer money that's already in your PayPal balance. If you're waiting for a payment from a buyer or another user, that money won't be available to transfer until it arrives and clears. Pending or on-hold funds cannot be transferred.

Why is my when ready transfer taking longer than 30 minutes?

when ready transfers usually arrive within 30 minutes, but your bank may take longer to process and display the deposit. If more than a few hours have passed, check your bank account's pending transactions or contact your bank. PayPal's part is done once the money leaves their system.

Can I set up automatic transfers from PayPal to my bank?

PayPal does not offer automatic recurring transfers. You must initiate each transfer manually. If you receive regular PayPal payments and want them to move to your bank automatically, you can set up a withdrawal schedule through your PayPal account settings, though this is not available on all account types.