PayPal can transfer money to international bank accounts, but the process and costs depend on which country you're sending to and what type of PayPal account you hold.

PayPal's international transfer service, called PayPal Money Transfer, moves funds directly from your PayPal balance to a recipient's bank account in over 200 countries and territories. The money goes from PayPal's system to the recipient's bank, not to another PayPal account. The transfer itself typically takes one to three business days, though the receiving bank may take additional time to post the funds.

Not all countries are treated equally. Some countries have faster processing, lower fees, and more straightforward processes. Others have restrictions on the amount you can send, require additional verification, or charge significantly higher fees. Your own location and the recipient's location both affect what options are available to you.

Key Takeaways

  • PayPal Money Transfer sends funds directly to a bank account and typically takes one to three business days, though receiving banks may add extra time.
  • Fees vary by destination country and can range from a flat charge to a percentage of the amount sent, plus exchange rate markups if you're converting currency.
  • You need the recipient's full bank account details, including IBAN or routing number depending on their country, before you can initiate a transfer.
  • Some countries have daily or monthly limits on how much you can send, and PayPal may require additional identity verification for larger amounts.
  • The exchange rate PayPal uses includes a markup above the real market rate, so the recipient receives less in their local currency than the mid-market rate would suggest.

What information you need from the recipient

Before you can send money, you need the recipient to provide their bank details. The exact information varies by country, but typically includes the recipient's full name as it appears on their bank account, the bank name, and the account number or IBAN (International Bank Account Number).

In Europe, most banks use an IBAN, which is a standardized 15- to 34-character code that includes the country code and account number. In the US, Canada, and some other countries, you'll need a routing number and account number instead. Some countries use different systems entirely—for example, Australia uses a BSB code and account number. Ask the recipient to check with their bank if they're unsure what to provide.

PayPal will ask for the recipient's address as well. This is used to verify the account and prevent fraud. The address must match what the bank has on file, so if the recipient recently moved, they may need to update their bank records first.

How fees and exchange rates work

PayPal charges a fee for international transfers, and the amount depends on the destination country. Some countries have a flat fee (for example, $4.99 USD to send to the UK), while others charge a percentage of the amount sent (typically 2% to 3%). A few countries have both a flat fee and a percentage. PayPal publishes its fee schedule by country on its website, though the exact fee only appears when you enter the recipient's country during the transfer process.

If you're sending money in a currency different from your PayPal account currency, PayPal converts the money and adds a markup to the exchange rate. This markup is not a separate fee—it's built into the rate you see. The actual mid-market exchange rate (the rate banks use with each other) is typically 1% to 2% better than what PayPal offers. This means if you're sending $1,000 USD to a recipient in India, the rupees they receive will be worth slightly less than if you had used a mid-market rate.

The recipient's bank may also charge a fee to receive the transfer. This is separate from PayPal's fee and varies by bank and country. Some banks charge nothing; others deduct $5 to $15 from the incoming transfer. The recipient should check with their bank before you send to understand what they'll actually receive.

Step-by-step process for sending money

Log into your PayPal account and go to the Transfer Money section, usually found under "Wallet" or "Money" depending on your device. Select Transfer to Your Bank or Send Money depending on your account type. Choose the option to send to a bank account (not to another PayPal user).

Enter the recipient's country, then their full bank details. PayPal will show you the fee for that destination and the exchange rate if currency conversion is needed. Review the amount the recipient will receive after all fees and conversions. If you proceed, PayPal will debit your account when ready and send the transfer to the recipient's bank.

You'll receive a confirmation email with a reference number. The recipient will not see your PayPal account details—they'll only see that money arrived from PayPal, Inc. or a similar generic sender name. If the recipient's bank rejects the transfer (usually because the account details don't match), PayPal will return the money to your account within five to ten business days.

Limits on how much you can send

PayPal sets daily and monthly limits on international transfers, and these limits vary by country and by how long you've held your account. New accounts typically have lower limits—sometimes as low as $500 per transfer or $2,000 per month. As your account history builds and you complete more transfers without problems, PayPal may increase your limits.

Some destination countries also have their own limits. For example, certain countries restrict how much money can leave the country in a single transfer, or require additional documentation for amounts above a certain threshold. PayPal will tell you what limit applies when you enter the recipient's country.

If you need to send more than your limit allows, you can split the transfer into multiple payments over several days. Each transfer counts separately toward your daily limit, so you might send $500 today and $500 tomorrow to reach $1,000 total. PayPal will charge its fee on each transfer, so splitting increases your total cost.

When transfers are delayed or rejected

Most transfers complete within one to three business days, but delays happen. If PayPal suspects fraud or if the recipient's bank flags the transfer for review, processing can take five to ten business days. PayPal may contact you to verify the transfer is legitimate, especially if the amount is large or the destination is a country with higher fraud risk.

Transfers are rejected most often because the recipient's bank account details don't match their bank's records. This includes mismatched names, closed accounts, or accounts that don't accept international transfers. When this happens, PayPal returns the money to your account, usually within five to ten business days. You'll need to contact the recipient to get corrected bank details and try again.

Some countries restrict international transfers for political or regulatory reasons. If you're trying to send to a country under sanctions or with strict capital controls, PayPal may not offer the service at all, or may require additional documentation before processing the transfer.

Alternatives if PayPal transfer doesn't work

If PayPal's fees are too high, the destination country isn't supported, or the transfer is delayed, other services offer international bank transfers. Wise (formerly TransferWise) specializes in international transfers and typically offers better exchange rates than PayPal, though it charges a flat fee plus a small percentage. OFX and Remitly are other options, each with different fee structures and supported countries.

Your own bank may also offer international wire transfers, though these typically cost more than PayPal or specialized transfer services. A wire transfer can take three to five business days and usually costs $15 to $50 depending on your bank.

If the recipient is in the same country as you, or if you both use the same international payment app, sending through that app may be faster and cheaper. For example, if you're both in the UK and use Revolut, you can send money when ready with no fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it actually take for the money to arrive?

PayPal typically sends the transfer to the recipient's bank within one to three business days. The receiving bank then processes it, which can add one to three more business days. In total, expect three to six business days from when you send until the money appears in the recipient's account. Weekends and holidays extend this timeline.

What happens if I send money to the wrong bank account?

If the account details don't match any account at that bank, the transfer is rejected and returned to your PayPal account within five to ten business days. If the details match a different person's account, the money may be deposited there, and recovering it becomes difficult. Always confirm the recipient's bank details are correct before sending.

Can I cancel a transfer after I've sent it?

Once PayPal has sent the transfer to the recipient's bank, you cannot cancel it. If the transfer hasn't been processed yet, contact PayPal support when ready to request a cancellation. If the bank has already received it, you'll need to contact the recipient's bank directly to attempt a reversal, which is not always possible.

Why is the exchange rate worse than what I see online?

PayPal's exchange rate includes a markup above the mid-market rate (the rate banks use with each other). This markup typically ranges from 1% to 2% and is how PayPal makes money on currency conversions. You can see the exact rate PayPal will use before you confirm the transfer, so you know what the recipient will receive.

Do I need a special account type to send international transfers?

A standard PayPal account can send international transfers. You don't need a business account or any premium membership. However, new accounts and accounts with limited history may have lower transfer limits until you build a track record of successful transfers.