Yes, you can link your bank account to PayPal, and most people do
PayPal lets you connect a checking or savings account so money can move between them. You add your bank's routing number and your account number through PayPal's settings, verify the connection with two small deposits PayPal sends to your bank, and then you can transfer money out of PayPal to your bank or pull money in to fund PayPal purchases. The whole process takes about five to seven business days from start to finish, though you can use PayPal before verification is complete.
Linking is optional — you can use PayPal with a debit or credit card instead — but a bank account gives you the lowest fees and the most control over your money. If you sell items or receive payments through PayPal, a linked bank account is how you actually get the money into your hands.
Key Takeaways
- You need your bank's routing number and your account number to link; both appear on the bottom left of a check or in your bank's online portal.
- PayPal sends two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to verify the account is yours; you confirm the amounts in PayPal settings within 30 days.
- Transfers from PayPal to your bank take one to three business days and cost nothing if you choose the standard speed.
- Transfers from your bank to PayPal are instant and free, but some banks may charge you a fee on their end.
- You can link multiple bank accounts to one PayPal account, but only one can be your primary account for automatic transfers.
What information you need before you start
Gather two pieces of information from your bank before you open PayPal settings. The routing number identifies your bank; the account number identifies your specific account. Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or app — most banks display both numbers in the account details or settings section, sometimes labeled "Account Information" or "Routing & Account Numbers."
Make sure the account is in your name or a name you are authorized to use. PayPal will not link to an account belonging to someone else, even if you have access to it. If the account is joint, most banks allow either owner to authorize the link, but contact your bank first if you are unsure.
The step-by-step process to link your account
Log into PayPal on a computer or through the app. Go to Settings (usually a gear icon), then Wallet or Bank Accounts, then Add Bank Account. Enter your bank's name, routing number, and account number. PayPal will ask whether the account is checking or savings — choose the correct type.
PayPal then sends two small deposits to your bank, usually within one to two business days. The amounts are random and under $1 each. Check your bank statement or your bank's app for these deposits; they will show as coming from PayPal. Return to PayPal within 30 days and enter the exact amounts in the verification field. Once you confirm, the account is linked and ready to use.
If you do not see the deposits after three business days, PayPal may have flagged the account for review. Check your PayPal email for a message asking for additional information — usually a photo of your ID or a recent bank statement. Respond to that message and the deposits will be sent once PayPal confirms your identity.
How long transfers take and what they cost
Moving money from PayPal to your bank account takes one to three business days using standard transfer. PayPal charges no fee for this. If you need the money faster, PayPal offers an instant transfer option for a flat fee (currently $0.25 per transfer, though this varies by region and may change). The money arrives within 30 minutes on weekdays during business hours.
Moving money from your bank account into PayPal is instant and free on PayPal's end. However, some banks charge a fee for outgoing transfers to third parties — check with your bank if you plan to do this regularly. Most checking accounts do not charge for this, but some savings accounts or money market accounts do.
Weekends and bank holidays slow everything down. A transfer you request on Friday evening will not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday. PayPal's timer starts when the transfer is processed, not when you request it, so plan ahead if you need money by a specific date.
What happens if you remove or change your linked account
You can unlink a bank account from PayPal at any time through Settings. Any pending transfers to that account will be cancelled, and the money stays in your PayPal balance. If you have already transferred money and then unlink the account, the transfer will still go through — unlinking only stops future transfers.
If your bank account number changes (for example, if you close the account and open a new one at the same bank), you must unlink the old account and add the new one. PayPal will not automatically update the number. If you try to transfer to a closed account, the transfer will fail and the money bounces back to your PayPal balance within a few business days.
If you change banks entirely, unlink the old bank from PayPal before closing the account. Then add your new bank's routing number and account number. You will need to verify the new account with the two-deposit method again.
Security and fraud protection when your bank is linked
PayPal uses encryption to store your routing number and account number, the same way your bank does. Your actual account number is not shown in full once it is saved — PayPal displays only the last four digits. This protects you if someone gains access to your PayPal account, because they cannot see the full number needed to make a transfer.
If someone does access your PayPal account without permission and makes unauthorized transfers to a linked bank account, PayPal's Buyer Protection does not cover transfers to your own bank. However, your bank's fraud protection does. Contact your bank immediately if you see a transfer you did not make. Your bank can reverse it and investigate, usually within 10 business days. PayPal will also investigate on its end if you report the unauthorized access through your PayPal Resolution Center.
To protect yourself, use a strong password on PayPal, enable two-factor authentication (PayPal will send a code to your phone or email when you log in from a new device), and review your linked accounts regularly. If you see a bank account you do not recognize, unlink it immediately and change your PayPal password.
Linking multiple bank accounts and choosing a primary account
PayPal allows you to link up to four bank accounts to a single PayPal account. This is useful if you have accounts at different banks or want to keep business and personal money separate. When you transfer money out of PayPal, you can choose which linked account to send it to.
One account must be set as your primary account. This is where PayPal sends money by default if you do not specify otherwise, and it is the account PayPal uses if you set up automatic transfers. You can change your primary account at any time in Settings. Changing it does not affect transfers already in progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. PayPal accepts both checking and savings accounts. Transfers to a savings account take the same one to three business days. Some banks charge a fee for transfers into savings accounts if you exceed a certain number per month (federal rules allow up to six), so check your account terms if you use this feature regularly.
What if PayPal sends the verification deposits but I never see them?
Wait three business days from when PayPal says it sent them. If they still do not appear, log into your bank and search your recent transactions for "PayPal" — sometimes the deposits show up under a different name or in a section you do not check often. If they are truly missing after five business days, contact PayPal support and ask them to resend the deposits to a different account or verify you manually with your ID.
Do I have to link a bank account to use PayPal?
No. You can use PayPal with a debit card or credit card alone. However, you cannot transfer money out of PayPal to a card — only to a bank account. If you receive payments through PayPal and want to cash out, you need a linked bank account.
Can I link someone else's bank account to my PayPal?
No. PayPal requires the account to be in your name or a name you are authorized to use. If it is a joint account, you can link it, but PayPal will verify your identity with a photo ID. Linking an account in someone else's name alone is against PayPal's terms and can result in your account being limited or closed.
What if my bank rejects the link?
Some banks flag PayPal as a third party and block the connection automatically. Contact your bank's customer service and ask them to allow PayPal transfers. You may need to provide PayPal's routing number (which is different from your bank's) or authorize the link through your bank's app. Once your bank approves it, try linking again in PayPal.