Yes, you can transfer your PayPal balance to a linked bank account
PayPal lets you move money from your PayPal balance to a checking or savings account you've already linked to your PayPal account. The transfer goes through the ACH network, which is the same system that handles direct deposits and bill payments. Most transfers take one to two business days, though PayPal sometimes offers faster options for a fee.
You can only transfer to a bank account in your own name that you've previously verified with PayPal. You cannot transfer to someone else's account, to a credit card, or to a PayPal account belonging to another person. If you don't have a linked bank account yet, you'll need to add one before you can move money out.
Key Takeaways
- Standard transfers from PayPal to your bank account take one to two business days and cost nothing.
- You must link your bank account to PayPal and verify it before you can transfer money out.
- PayPal offers a same-day transfer option called PayPal Instant Transfer, which costs between 1% and 2% of the amount you send.
- Transfers only work from your PayPal balance—money held in a PayPal Credit account or pending funds cannot be transferred.
- If a transfer fails, PayPal will return the money to your PayPal balance within one to two business days.
How to link your bank account to PayPal
Go to your PayPal account settings and select "Wallet" or "Banks and Cards," depending on which version of PayPal you use. 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 log into your bank's website to view them.
PayPal will send two small deposits (usually between 1 and 2 cents each) to your bank account within one to two business days. Log back into PayPal, go to the bank account you just added, and confirm the two amounts. This verification step proves you own the account. Once verified, you can transfer money to that account anytime.
The standard transfer process and timeline
Open PayPal and go to your Wallet. Select "Transfer Money" and choose "Transfer to Your Bank." Pick the linked bank account where you want the money to go, enter the amount, and confirm. PayPal will show you the expected arrival date before you complete the transfer.
Standard transfers take one to two business days. This means if you transfer money on a Tuesday morning, it will arrive in your bank account by Wednesday or Thursday. Transfers initiated on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday will not begin processing until Monday. Holidays also delay the timeline—transfers sent on a holiday or the day before a holiday will take longer.
You can transfer any amount from your PayPal balance, as long as you have that much money available. There is no minimum transfer amount and no fee for standard transfers.
PayPal Instant Transfer and when to use it
If you need money in your bank account the same day, PayPal offers Instant Transfer. The money arrives within 30 minutes on most business days, but PayPal charges between 1% and 2% of the amount you transfer. A $100 transfer costs $1 to $2. This fee is deducted from your PayPal balance before the money leaves.
Instant Transfer is available only if you have a Visa or Mastercard debit card linked to your PayPal account in addition to your bank account. Not all banks and debit cards work with Instant Transfer—PayPal's website lists which institutions are supported. If your bank is not on the list, you cannot use Instant Transfer, even if you have a debit card.
Instant Transfer does not work on weekends or most federal holidays. If you try to send an Instant Transfer after business hours or on a weekend, PayPal will process it the next business day instead, though you will still pay the fee.
What happens if your transfer fails
A transfer can fail if your bank account information is wrong, if your account has been closed, or if your bank rejects the transfer for fraud protection reasons. PayPal will notify you by email if a transfer fails. The money will return to your PayPal balance within one to two business days.
If a transfer fails repeatedly, contact your bank to ask whether they are blocking PayPal transfers. Some banks flag ACH transfers from payment apps as suspicious. Your bank can whitelist PayPal so future transfers go through. You can also try transferring a smaller amount first to see if that succeeds.
Money you cannot transfer out of PayPal
Your PayPal balance is the money sitting in your PayPal account right now. You can only transfer this balance to your bank. Money that is still pending—such as payment from a sale that has not cleared yet, or a refund that is processing—cannot be transferred. Wait until the money shows as available in your PayPal balance before you try to transfer it.
If you have a PayPal Credit account (PayPal's buy-now-pay-later product), that credit line is separate from your PayPal balance and cannot be transferred. You must pay down the PayPal Credit balance first. Money held in a PayPal savings account or money market account also cannot be transferred directly to your bank—you must move it to your PayPal balance first.
Protecting yourself from transfer fraud
Only transfer money to a bank account in your own name. If someone asks you to transfer PayPal money to their account, that is a scam. Legitimate businesses and individuals will not ask you to move money through PayPal and then transfer it to them.
Check the bank account details before you confirm any transfer. PayPal will show you the last four digits of the account number and the bank name. If this does not match the account you intended, cancel and add the correct account. Once a transfer is sent, you cannot cancel it, though you can contact your bank to try to reverse it if you sent money to the wrong place by mistake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my transfer taking longer than two business days?
Transfers sent on weekends or holidays, or sent late in the day on Friday, will not begin processing until the next business day. Some banks also take longer to post ACH transfers. If your transfer has been pending for more than three business days, contact PayPal support with your transaction ID.
Can I transfer money to a joint bank account?
Yes, as long as your name is on the account and you link it to PayPal yourself. The account must be in your name or in your name plus another person's name. You cannot transfer to an account that belongs only to someone else.
What if I don't have a bank account?
You cannot transfer PayPal balance without a linked bank account. You can use your PayPal balance to make purchases online or in stores, or withdraw cash at an ATM if you have a PayPal Cash or PayPal Cash Plus account. Some PayPal accounts also offer a debit card you can use to spend the balance.
Is there a limit to how much I can transfer?
PayPal does not publish a single transfer limit that applies to all accounts. Your limit depends on your account history, how long you have used PayPal, and your bank's policies. If you try to transfer more than your limit allows, PayPal will tell you the maximum amount you can send. You can contact PayPal support to ask about increasing your limit.
Can I transfer money back from my bank account to PayPal?
No, transfers only go one direction—from PayPal to your bank. To add money to PayPal, you can link a debit card or credit card and use it to fund your account, or have someone send you money through PayPal's peer-to-peer transfer feature.