Yes, you can send money from PayPal to an international bank account, but the process and costs depend on which country the account is in and what type of transfer you choose.
PayPal offers two main ways to move money internationally: a standard transfer that takes three to five business days and costs between $0.99 and $2.99 plus a percentage of the amount, or an when ready transfer (where available) that arrives within minutes but charges a higher percentage fee. Not every country's banks work with PayPal's transfer system, so you need to check whether your destination country is supported before you set up the transfer.
The receiving bank account must be in the name of the PayPal account holder sending the money — you cannot transfer to someone else's account. If you need to send money to another person's bank account, you would use PayPal's "send money to friends and family" feature instead, which has different fees and speed depending on the country pair.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal transfers to international bank accounts cost between $0.99 and $2.99 plus a currency conversion fee, and take three to five business days for standard transfers.
- when ready transfers are available in some countries and arrive within minutes, but charge a higher percentage fee than standard transfers.
- The receiving bank account must be registered in your own name; you cannot transfer directly to another person's account through the bank transfer feature.
- Not all countries' banks are connected to PayPal's transfer network, so you must verify that your destination country is supported before attempting a transfer.
- If you are sending money to another person, the "send money to friends and family" feature may be cheaper than a bank transfer, depending on the country pair.
How to set up a bank transfer from PayPal
Log into your PayPal account and go to the Wallet section. Click "Transfer Money" and select "Transfer to your bank." You will be asked to choose which bank account to transfer to — if you have not yet added an international bank account to PayPal, you will need to do that first by entering the account holder name, bank name, account number, and routing or SWIFT code.
Enter the amount you want to transfer. PayPal will show you the exchange rate (if converting currency) and the total fee before you confirm. Review both numbers carefully, because the exchange rate PayPal uses is not always the mid-market rate — it includes a markup that varies by currency pair. Once you confirm, the transfer is locked in and cannot be reversed, so double-check the receiving account details.
Standard transfers arrive in three to five business days. If PayPal offers when ready transfer for your country pair, you will see that option at checkout with the higher fee displayed. when ready transfers typically arrive within minutes, though some banks take up to one hour to post the funds to the account.
Fees and exchange rates for international transfers
PayPal charges a flat fee of $0.99 to $2.99 per transfer, depending on the amount and destination country. On top of that, if you are converting US dollars to another currency, PayPal applies an exchange rate markup — this is not a separate fee, but a difference between the rate PayPal offers you and the actual mid-market rate. The markup varies by currency pair and can range from 1% to 3% or more.
when ready transfers cost more: PayPal charges a percentage of the transfer amount (typically 1% to 2%) plus the flat fee. For a $1,000 when ready transfer, you might pay $15 to $30 total depending on the destination country and currency.
Some countries have higher fees than others. For example, transfers to India, Mexico, and the Philippines often cost more than transfers to Canada or Western Europe. Before you transfer, PayPal shows you the exact fee and exchange rate, so you can see the total cost before you commit.
Which countries PayPal can transfer to
PayPal supports bank transfers to over 190 countries, but the list changes and some countries have restrictions. Common destinations include Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico, India, Brazil, and most of Western Europe. Some countries have limits on how much you can transfer per transaction or per month.
The fastest way to check whether your destination country is supported is to start the transfer process in your PayPal account and enter the bank details. PayPal will tell you when ready if the country is not supported or if there are restrictions. You do not have to complete the transfer — you can stop at any point before confirming.
If your country is not supported for direct bank transfers, you have two alternatives: use a third-party money transfer service that PayPal partners with (available in some countries), or withdraw your PayPal balance to a debit card and use that card's international transfer features.
Sending money to another person's account
If you want to send money to someone else's bank account, you cannot use the "transfer to your bank" feature — that only works for your own accounts. Instead, use PayPal's "send money to friends and family" feature. The recipient will receive the money in their PayPal account, and they can then transfer it to their own bank account, or you can ask PayPal to send the money directly to their bank account if they have not set up a PayPal account yet.
Sending money to friends and family costs less than a bank transfer in some country pairs — for example, sending to Canada or Mexico often has no fee if both accounts are in the same currency. However, sending to other countries may cost 1% to 3% of the amount. PayPal shows you the fee before you send.
The recipient does not have to have a PayPal account to receive the money. If they do not, PayPal can deposit the funds directly to their bank account, though this takes longer (usually five to seven business days) and may have additional fees depending on the country.
What to do if your transfer is delayed or fails
Standard transfers occasionally take longer than five business days if the receiving bank is slow to process the deposit or if there is a currency conversion delay. If your transfer has not arrived after seven business days, log into PayPal, find the transaction in your activity history, and click "Contact us" to report it. PayPal will investigate with the receiving bank.
Transfers fail most often because the bank account details are incorrect — a wrong SWIFT code, an account number that does not match the account holder name, or a bank that is not connected to PayPal's network. PayPal will notify you if the transfer fails and will refund the money to your PayPal balance, usually within one to three business days. You can then correct the bank details and try again.
If PayPal suspects fraud or money laundering, it may hold the transfer for review. This can take several days. PayPal will contact you if this happens and may ask for documentation about the purpose of the transfer or proof of your identity. Do not attempt to cancel or re-send the transfer while it is under review — wait for PayPal to contact you.
Alternatives to PayPal for international transfers
If PayPal's fees are too high or your destination country is not supported, consider a dedicated money transfer service. Services like Wise (formerly TransferWise), OFX, and Remitly often have lower fees and better exchange rates than PayPal, especially for larger amounts. Wise, for example, uses the mid-market exchange rate with no markup, though it does charge a flat fee that varies by currency pair.
Your own bank may also offer international transfers, though these are often slower and more expensive than PayPal or a dedicated service. Some banks charge $15 to $50 per transfer plus a currency conversion markup.
If you are sending money regularly to the same country, a dedicated service may save you money over time. If you are sending a one-time transfer, PayPal is often simpler because you do not have to open a new account.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for money to arrive in an international bank account?
Standard PayPal transfers take three to five business days. when ready transfers arrive within minutes to one hour. The receiving bank may take an additional one to two business days to post the funds to the account, depending on the country and the bank's processing speed.
Can I transfer money to someone else's bank account using PayPal?
Not directly through the bank transfer feature. You can send money to their PayPal account using the "send money to friends and family" feature, or ask PayPal to deposit the funds directly to their bank account if they do not have a PayPal account. This takes longer and may have higher fees.
What happens if I enter the wrong bank account details?
PayPal will attempt to send the money to the account number you provided. If the account does not exist or the details do not match the bank's records, the transfer will fail and the money will be refunded to your PayPal balance within one to three business days. You can then correct the details and try again.
Is the exchange rate PayPal shows me may provide?
Yes, the exchange rate and fee shown at checkout are locked in once you confirm the transfer. The rate will not change after you complete the transaction, even if the market rate moves.
Can I cancel a transfer after I have sent it?
If the transfer has not yet been processed by the receiving bank, PayPal may be able to cancel it. Log into your account, find the transaction, and click "Contact us" to request a cancellation. If the money has already been deposited to the receiving bank account, PayPal cannot retrieve it — you would need to contact the receiving bank or the account holder directly.