You can cash out PayPal without a bank account, but your options are limited and slower than a direct transfer
PayPal will not send money to a bank account you do not have. But you have three real ways to move cash out: a PayPal Cash Card (a debit card linked to your account), a third-party money transfer service, or a cash pickup at a retail location. Each one works differently, costs different amounts, and takes a different amount of time. The fastest is usually the debit card; the cheapest is usually a retail pickup.
The catch is that PayPal does not offer all three options in every state or country, and some require you to verify your identity first. If you have not yet confirmed your name, address, and phone number with PayPal, do that before you try to cash out—most withdrawal methods will not work without it.
Key Takeaways
- A PayPal Cash Card is a debit card you can order free and use to withdraw cash at any ATM, but it takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive.
- Retail cash pickup through MoneyGram or similar services lets you walk out with cash the same day, but you pay a fee (usually $3 to $5) and availability depends on your location.
- Third-party money transfer apps like Wise or Square Cash can move PayPal funds to their own wallet, but they do not directly pull from PayPal—you have to send the money first.
- PayPal's own cash withdrawal feature at participating retailers exists in some states but not others; check your account to see if it is available where you live.
- Identity verification (name, address, phone number) is required before most cash-out methods will work.
The PayPal Cash Card: free but requires waiting
The PayPal Cash Card is a Mastercard debit card that draws directly from your PayPal balance. You order it free through your PayPal account, and once it arrives (7 to 10 business days), you can use it to withdraw cash at any ATM that accepts Mastercard. There is no fee to order the card, and there is no fee to withdraw cash at most ATMs—though some ATM operators charge their own surcharge, which is not PayPal's doing.
The card also works for in-store purchases and online shopping, so it is useful even if you do not need cash right now. But if you need money today or tomorrow, this is not your answer. The wait time is the main drawback. You cannot expedite the card delivery through PayPal.
To order the card, go to your PayPal account, find the Wallet or Cards section (the exact name varies by app version), and select "Order a Card." You will need to confirm your address before the card ships. Once it arrives, activate it in the app before you use it.
Retail cash pickup: same-day money with a fee
PayPal partners with MoneyGram and other money transfer services to let you pick up cash at retail locations without a bank account. You initiate the transfer in your PayPal app, choose a nearby pickup location (usually a grocery store, pharmacy, or dedicated money transfer shop), and walk in with your ID to collect the cash. The whole process takes minutes once you arrive at the store.
The fee for this service is typically $3 to $5 per transaction, depending on the amount you are withdrawing and your location. Some states or regions may have different fees or may not offer this service at all. Before you start, check your PayPal app to see if "Cash Pickup" or "MoneyGram" is listed as an option in your area—if it is not there, it is not available to you.
The transfer is usually ready for pickup within minutes, but the store's hours matter. If you initiate the transfer at 10 p.m. and the store closes at 11 p.m., you may not have time to get there. Plan ahead and check the store's hours before you send the money.
PayPal's direct cash withdrawal at retailers
In some states, PayPal lets you withdraw cash directly at participating retailers—no separate money transfer service needed. You enter the amount in your PayPal app, receive a code, and show that code plus your ID at the register. The cashier hands you cash, and your PayPal balance drops immediately.
This option is faster than MoneyGram because there is no separate pickup location to travel to; you can do it at a store you are already visiting. But availability is spotty. PayPal has rolled this out in certain states and at certain retailers (often Walmart or grocery chains), and it is not available everywhere. Check your PayPal app under the Withdraw or Cash Out section to see if this option shows up for you. If it does not appear, it is not yet available in your area.
The fee structure for direct retail withdrawal varies by state and retailer. Some locations charge a small fee; others do not. The app will show you the fee before you confirm the withdrawal.
Using a third-party app as a workaround
If none of PayPal's direct options work for you, you can move money from PayPal to another digital wallet (like Wise, Square Cash, or Google Pay) and then cash out from there. This is not a direct PayPal withdrawal—it is a transfer to another service—but it can open up more cash-out options.
The process is: transfer money from PayPal to the other app's account, then use that app's cash withdrawal method. Some apps let you withdraw to a prepaid card, others to a linked bank account (which you do not have), and some to retail pickup. The fees and timelines depend entirely on the app you choose.
This route is useful only if the other app offers a cash-out method that PayPal does not. For example, if PayPal's retail pickup is not available in your state but another app's is, this workaround might help. But it adds an extra step and potentially an extra fee, so use it only if PayPal's direct options truly do not work for you.
What happens if you have not verified your identity
PayPal requires identity verification before you can withdraw cash. At minimum, you need to confirm your legal name, address, and phone number. If you have not done this, most cash-out methods will be blocked, and PayPal will prompt you to verify before you proceed.
Verification is free and usually takes a few minutes. Go to your account settings, find the "Verification" or "Identity" section, and follow the prompts. PayPal may ask you to confirm information they already have, or they may ask you to upload a photo of your ID. Once verified, you can use any cash-out method available in your area.
If you have a limited account (for example, if you recently opened it or received a large unexpected payment), PayPal may hold your funds temporarily even after verification. This is a separate issue from identity verification, and the hold usually lifts after a few days or once you provide additional information about the source of the funds.
Comparing your options side by side
| Method | Time to cash | Fee | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal Cash Card | 7–10 days (card arrival) + ATM visit | Free (card order); ATM surcharges may apply | All US states |
| MoneyGram pickup | Minutes to hours | $3–$5 per transaction | Most states; check app for your area |
| Direct retail withdrawal | Immediate | Varies by state and retailer | Select states only; check app |
| Third-party app transfer | Varies by app | Varies by app | Depends on the app you choose |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a PayPal Cash Card?
The card ships within 1 to 2 business days of ordering, and delivery takes 5 to 9 business days depending on your location. Total time is usually 7 to 10 business days from order to arrival. You cannot speed this up or pay for expedited shipping.
Can I withdraw cash from PayPal at Walmart?
In some states, yes. PayPal has a direct cash withdrawal program at certain Walmart locations. Check your PayPal app under the cash-out options to see if it is available in your area. If you see a "Walmart" or "Retail Withdrawal" option, you can use it; if not, it is not yet available where you live.
What if MoneyGram is not available near me?
Check your PayPal app to confirm it is truly unavailable in your area—availability can vary by city. If it is not available, try the PayPal Cash Card or direct retail withdrawal if that is offered in your state. If none of these work, a third-party app transfer may be your only option.
Do I have to pay a fee every time I use the Cash Card at an ATM?
PayPal does not charge a fee for Cash Card ATM withdrawals. However, the ATM operator may charge a surcharge (usually $1 to $3), which is not controlled by PayPal. Using an ATM from the same bank or network as your card can sometimes avoid this fee.
Can I transfer PayPal money to someone else's bank account if I do not have one?
No. PayPal transfers to bank accounts require the receiving account to exist. If you want to send money to someone else, you can use PayPal's peer-to-peer transfer feature (which sends to their PayPal account or linked bank account), but you cannot create a bank account transfer yourself without a bank account.