Yes, you can pay with your bank account on PayPal, but the connection takes a few days to set up
PayPal lets you link a checking or savings account and use it to send money, pay for purchases, or transfer funds to other people. The bank account becomes one of your payment methods inside PayPal, sitting alongside credit cards and PayPal balance. You do not have to keep money in PayPal itself — the payment pulls directly from your bank when you choose that method at checkout.
The catch is timing. PayPal verifies your bank account by making two small deposits (usually $0.01 and $0.02) to your account, then asking you to confirm the amounts. This verification takes three to five business days. Until you confirm those deposits, you cannot use the account to pay or send money, though you can add it to your profile right away.
Key Takeaways
- Link your bank account through PayPal's wallet settings by entering your routing number and account number, then wait for two verification deposits to arrive.
- Confirm the deposit amounts inside PayPal once they hit your bank account — this usually takes three to five business days from the time you link the account.
- Bank transfers through PayPal are free when you send money to other people, but some merchants charge a fee if you choose bank account as your payment method at checkout.
- PayPal holds your bank login information securely and does not store your full account number after verification is complete.
- If verification deposits do not arrive, check that you entered your routing number correctly, or contact your bank to confirm PayPal's deposits are not being filtered as spam.
How to link your bank account to PayPal
Start by logging into your PayPal account on the website or app. Go to Wallet (or My Money on the app), then select Link a bank account. PayPal will ask for your bank's routing number, your account number, and the account type (checking or savings).
You can find your routing number on the bottom left of any check, or by calling your bank or visiting their website. Your account number is on the bottom center of the check. Enter both carefully — a mistake means the verification deposits will go to the wrong account, and you will have to start over.
After you submit, PayPal tells you to wait for two small deposits. These usually arrive within one to three business days, though some banks take longer. Once they land in your account, return to PayPal and enter the exact amounts (including the cents) to confirm ownership.
What happens after your account is verified
Once you confirm the deposit amounts, your bank account is active and ready to use. The two verification deposits stay in your account — PayPal does not pull them back out. You now have a linked bank account as a payment option whenever you send money or pay for something through PayPal.
When you choose your bank account at checkout or during a transfer, PayPal pulls the money directly from your bank. The transaction usually settles within one to three business days, depending on your bank's processing speed. You will see the charge on your bank statement as a debit from PayPal.
Fees and costs for bank account payments
Sending money to another person through PayPal using your bank account is free. There is no charge from PayPal, and your bank typically does not charge either (though some banks charge for ACH transfers — check your account terms).
When you use your bank account to pay a merchant or business through PayPal, the merchant may charge a fee. This is their choice, not PayPal's. Some merchants offer a discount if you pay with a bank account instead of a credit card, because bank transfers cost them less to process. Always check the total before you confirm the payment.
Security and what PayPal stores
PayPal does not store your full bank account number after verification is complete. It keeps only the last four digits and your routing number, which is enough to identify the account without exposing the whole number if PayPal's systems are breached.
Your bank login information is encrypted and handled by a third-party service called Plaid, which specializes in secure bank connections. PayPal does not see your password. If you are uncomfortable with this process, you can enter your account details manually instead of using Plaid — it takes longer but gives you full control.
What to do if verification deposits do not arrive
If three to five business days have passed and you have not seen the two small deposits in your account, start by double-checking the routing number you entered. A single digit wrong sends the deposits to a different bank or account. Log into PayPal, go to your linked bank account, and verify the routing number matches what your bank shows.
If the number is correct, contact your bank directly. Ask them to check whether PayPal's deposits arrived but were filtered as spam or held in a pending queue. Some banks flag small ACH transfers from unknown senders. Your bank can release them or confirm they never arrived.
If your bank confirms the deposits never arrived, remove the account from PayPal and try linking it again. Make sure you are using the correct routing number for your specific branch — some large banks have multiple routing numbers depending on location.
Removing or replacing a linked bank account
You can unlink a bank account at any time through your PayPal wallet settings. Click the account, select Remove, and confirm. This does not affect any pending transactions — if a payment is already processing, it will complete even after you remove the account.
To replace a bank account, simply link a new one using the same process. You do not have to remove the old account first, though you can if you want to keep your wallet clean. PayPal lets you link multiple bank accounts and choose which one to use for each transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a savings account instead of checking?
Yes. PayPal accepts both checking and savings accounts. The process is identical — enter your routing number and account number, wait for verification deposits, and confirm the amounts. Some savings accounts have limits on how many transfers you can make per month, so check your bank's rules if you plan to use it frequently.
What if I enter the wrong routing number?
The verification deposits will go to a different account or bank. You will not be able to confirm them in PayPal, so the account stays unverified. Remove it from PayPal and link the account again with the correct routing number. Your bank can help you find the right number if you are unsure.
How long does a bank transfer take when I pay someone?
PayPal sends the money to the recipient's account within one to three business days. The exact timing depends on both your bank and the recipient's bank. Weekends and holidays add extra days. You can see the expected delivery date in PayPal after you send the money.
Can I use a bank account from another country?
PayPal only accepts bank accounts in the country where your PayPal account is registered. If you have a U.S. PayPal account, you can only link U.S. bank accounts. International accounts have different rules depending on the country.
What if PayPal charges my bank account by mistake?
Contact PayPal's resolution center and report the unauthorized transaction. PayPal will investigate and reverse the charge if it was an error. Your bank can also dispute the charge if PayPal does not respond — this is called a chargeback, and your bank handles it directly.