Yes, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account in most cases
PayPal lets you move money to a linked bank account through a process called a transfer. The money leaves your PayPal balance and arrives in your checking or savings account. How long it takes and whether you pay a fee depends on which transfer method you choose and which bank you use.
Before you transfer, you need to link a U.S. bank account to your PayPal account. PayPal will verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into it, then asking you to confirm those amounts in your PayPal settings. This verification step takes one to two business days.
Once your bank account is linked and verified, you can transfer money immediately. PayPal offers two main transfer speeds: standard transfers and instant transfers. Standard transfers are free but take one to three business days. Instant transfers cost 1% of the amount you send (with a minimum fee of $0.25 and a maximum of $15 per transfer) and land in your account within 30 minutes in most cases.
Key Takeaways
- You must link and verify a bank account in your PayPal settings before you can transfer money out.
- Standard transfers are free and take one to three business days; instant transfers cost 1% and arrive within 30 minutes.
- PayPal holds some transfers for review if the account is new, the amount is large, or activity looks unusual—this can add several days.
- Money transferred to your bank account is no longer protected by PayPal's buyer protection or seller protection policies.
How to link your bank account to PayPal
Go to your PayPal account settings and select "Wallet" or "Banks and Cards." Click "Link a Bank Account" and enter your routing number and account number. You can find both on the bottom left of a check, or call your bank to ask.
PayPal will deposit two small amounts into your account within one to two business days. Log back into PayPal, go to the bank account settings, and enter those two amounts when prompted. Once you confirm them, your account is verified and ready to use for transfers.
If you cannot find the verification deposits or they do not arrive, contact your bank first—some banks delay small deposits or flag them as suspicious. If your bank confirms the deposits went through but you still cannot see them in PayPal, contact PayPal support with your bank statement showing the deposits.
Standard transfers versus instant transfers
Standard transfers are free and take one to three business days. PayPal processes them on business days only, so a transfer you request on Friday evening will not begin processing until Monday. Weekends and bank holidays add extra time. This method works well if you are not in a hurry and want to avoid fees.
Instant transfers cost 1% of the amount transferred, with a minimum fee of $0.25 and a maximum of $15 per transfer. The money arrives in your bank account within 30 minutes on business days and weekends. If you request an instant transfer after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on a weekend or holiday, it will process the next business day but still arrive within 30 minutes of processing.
Not all PayPal accounts have instant transfer available. New accounts, accounts with recent disputes or chargebacks, or accounts that have not been verified may only see the standard option. If you do not see instant transfer as an option, wait a few weeks and check again, or contact PayPal support to ask why it is not available.
When PayPal holds or delays a transfer
PayPal may place a hold on a transfer for review if your account is new, if the transfer amount is unusually large for your account history, if you have had disputes or chargebacks, or if the activity looks suspicious to PayPal's automated systems. A hold can last from a few hours to several business days.
You will see a notification in your PayPal account if a transfer is under review. You cannot cancel it during the review period. If PayPal denies the transfer, the money returns to your PayPal balance within one to three business days.
To reduce the chance of a hold, start with smaller transfers if your account is new, keep your account information current, and avoid transferring money shortly after adding a new bank account or changing your password. If you transfer large amounts regularly, PayPal is less likely to flag future transfers as unusual.
What happens to buyer and seller protection after you transfer
Money in your PayPal account is covered by PayPal's buyer protection (if you bought something and did not receive it or it arrived damaged) and seller protection (if you sold something and the buyer disputes the charge). Once you transfer money to your bank account, it is no longer covered by PayPal's policies.
This means if you transfer money and then discover a problem with a purchase you made through PayPal, you cannot dispute it through PayPal—you would have to dispute it with your bank instead. Bank disputes (called chargebacks) have different timelines and rules than PayPal disputes, and they take longer to resolve.
If you are waiting to see whether a purchase will arrive or whether a sale will result in a dispute, keep that money in your PayPal account until you are certain everything is fine. Once you are confident, transfer it to your bank.
Fees and limits on transfers
Standard transfers are free. Instant transfers cost 1% of the amount, with a $0.25 minimum and $15 maximum per transfer. Some PayPal accounts may have additional limits set by PayPal based on account age or history.
PayPal does not publish a maximum transfer amount, but very large transfers (typically $5,000 or more) may trigger a review hold. Your bank may also have its own limits on how much money can be deposited in a single transaction—call your bank if you are transferring a large amount and want to know their threshold.
If you reach a transfer limit, you can usually transfer again the next day or after a set period. Check your PayPal account for any messages about limits, or contact PayPal support if you are unsure why a transfer was blocked.
Transferring money from a PayPal credit or debit card
If you have a PayPal Cash or PayPal Cash Plus account with a linked debit card, you can withdraw cash at ATMs instead of transferring to your bank account. You can also use the card to make purchases or pay bills directly, which means you do not have to transfer the money at all.
If you have a PayPal Credit account (a line of credit, not a prepaid balance), you cannot transfer that credit to your bank account. PayPal Credit can only be used to make purchases through PayPal or at partner retailers. If you want to move money out, you need to pay off the credit balance first using a bank transfer or other payment method.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a standard transfer actually take?
One to three business days from when PayPal processes it. If you request the transfer on a Friday, PayPal does not process it until Monday, so it could take until Wednesday or Thursday to arrive. Weekends and holidays add extra time. Your bank may also take a day to post the deposit to your account.
Can I cancel a transfer after I request it?
You can cancel a standard transfer before PayPal processes it, usually within a few minutes of requesting it. Once PayPal has processed it (you will see a status change in your account), you cannot cancel it. If the transfer is under review, you cannot cancel it either. Contact PayPal support if you need to cancel an instant transfer.
What if my bank rejects the transfer?
If your bank rejects the deposit, the money returns to your PayPal account within one to three business days. Common reasons for rejection include a closed account, a wrong account number, or fraud filters at your bank. Check that your account number and routing number are correct in PayPal, or contact your bank to ask why the deposit was rejected.
Do I have to transfer all my PayPal money at once?
No. You can transfer any amount from $0.01 up to your available balance. You can make multiple transfers in a single day if you want, though very frequent transfers may trigger a review hold. Most people transfer once a week or once a month.
What if I do not have a U.S. bank account?
PayPal transfers to bank accounts in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and several other countries, but the process and available methods vary by country. If you are outside the U.S., log into your PayPal account and check the "Wallet" section to see which transfer methods are available in your region.