How to transfer money from PayPal to your bank account

You can move money from PayPal to your bank account in a few minutes using PayPal's transfer feature. The money does not arrive when ready — it takes one to three business days for most transfers, depending on your bank. PayPal does not charge a fee for standard transfers to a linked bank account, though some banks may charge you on their end (most do not).

The process is the same whether you received money from someone else, sold something, or earned it through PayPal's work platforms. You need a bank account linked to your PayPal account before you can transfer anything out.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard transfers from PayPal to your bank account take one to three business days and cost nothing.
  • Your bank account must be linked to your PayPal account before you can transfer money out.
  • You can transfer any amount, but PayPal may hold large transfers for review, which can add a few days.
  • If your transfer does not arrive after three business days, check your bank's spam folder for the confirmation email and contact PayPal support with your transaction ID.

Linking your bank account to PayPal

Before you can transfer money out, you need to connect a bank account to your PayPal account. Open PayPal on your computer or phone and go to your account settings — usually found by clicking your name or profile icon in the top right corner.

Look for a section called "Wallet" or "Banks and Cards" (the exact name varies by country). Select "Link a Bank Account" or "Add Bank Account". PayPal will ask for your bank's routing number, your account number, and the account type (checking or savings). You can find both numbers on a check, or call your bank's customer service line and ask for them.

After you enter this information, PayPal will make two small test deposits to your account — usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each. These arrive within a few business days. Once they land, PayPal will ask you to confirm the amounts. This confirms that you own the account. After you confirm, your bank account is linked and ready to use.

The steps to transfer money out

Once your bank account is linked, transferring money takes about two minutes. Log into PayPal and go to your account settings. Find the "Wallet" or "Banks and Cards" section again.

You should see your linked bank account listed. Click on it or select "Transfer to Bank" or "Withdraw". PayPal will ask how much you want to transfer. Enter the amount and confirm. PayPal will show you the expected arrival date — usually one to three business days from the date you request the transfer.

After you confirm, the transfer is submitted. You will receive a confirmation email with a transaction ID. Keep this ID in case you need to contact PayPal later about the transfer.

How long transfers actually take

PayPal says transfers take one to three business days, and that is usually accurate. Business days means Monday through Friday, excluding U.S. federal holidays. If you request a transfer on a Friday afternoon, it may not process until Monday, so the arrival date could be Wednesday or Thursday.

Large transfers or transfers from new accounts sometimes take longer. PayPal may hold the money for review if the amount is unusually high for your account history or if PayPal flags the transaction for any reason. If this happens, PayPal will send you an email explaining the hold and telling you when the money should arrive.

Your bank also plays a role. Once PayPal sends the money, your bank has to receive and process it. Most banks post transfers the same day or next business day, but some smaller banks or credit unions may take longer. If your transfer does not show up after three business days, contact your bank first to confirm they received it.

What to do if your transfer is delayed or missing

If the money does not arrive by the date PayPal promised, start by checking your email — look in your spam or promotions folder for PayPal's confirmation message. That email contains your transaction ID, which you will need.

Contact your bank next. Give them the transaction ID and ask whether they received the transfer from PayPal. Your bank can see incoming transfers even if they have not posted to your account yet. If your bank says they received it, the delay is on their end and you should ask them when it will post.

If your bank says they never received the transfer, or if more than three business days have passed with no sign of it, contact PayPal support. Go to the PayPal Help Center, select "Contact Us", and describe the missing transfer. Have your transaction ID ready. PayPal can investigate on their end and either resend the money or refund it back to your PayPal balance.

Fees and limits on transfers

PayPal does not charge a fee for standard transfers to a linked U.S. bank account. Some banks charge their customers a fee for receiving transfers from outside sources, but most do not — check with your bank if you are unsure.

There is no minimum transfer amount, so you can move out even small balances. There is no stated maximum either, but PayPal may review or delay very large transfers. If you regularly transfer large amounts, contact PayPal support to discuss your account.

If you need the money faster, PayPal offers an when ready transfer option in some cases, but this usually costs $0.25 per transfer and is not available to all users or in all countries. Check your PayPal account to see if when ready transfers are available to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer money from PayPal if I just linked my bank account?

You have to wait for PayPal's test deposits to arrive and confirm them before you can transfer money out. This usually takes three to five business days from when you link the account. After confirmation, transfers work when ready.

What happens if I transfer money but then cancel it?

Once a transfer is submitted, you cannot cancel it through PayPal. If the money has not yet left PayPal's system, contact PayPal support right away with your transaction ID and ask them to stop it. If the transfer has already been sent to your bank, you will have to contact your bank to reverse it, which is more difficult.

Can I transfer to someone else's bank account?

No. PayPal transfers only go to the bank account linked to your own PayPal account. To send money to someone else, use PayPal's "Send Money" feature to transfer to their PayPal account or email address instead.

Why is my transfer on hold?

PayPal holds transfers for review when the amount is unusual for your account, when you are new to PayPal, or when PayPal detects something that looks like fraud. The hold is temporary — PayPal will release the money after their review is complete, usually within a few business days. Check your email for details.

Do I need to do anything special if I change banks?

Yes. You need to unlink your old bank account from PayPal and link your new one. Go to your wallet settings, remove the old account, and add the new one using your new routing and account numbers. You will have to confirm the test deposits again before transfers work.