Yes, you can send money from PayPal to someone else's bank account

PayPal lets you transfer money directly to another person's bank account through a feature called PayPal Transfer. The recipient does not need a PayPal account. You provide their bank details, PayPal moves the money, and it lands in their checking or savings account within one to three business days.

This is different from sending money to someone's PayPal email address. When you use PayPal Transfer, the money bypasses PayPal entirely after it leaves your account and goes straight to the bank. The recipient sees the deposit as coming from PayPal, Inc., not from you personally, though you can add a note they will see.

The catch: PayPal charges a fee for this service. The fee depends on whether you are sending money domestically (within the US) or internationally, and whether the recipient's bank is in the US or abroad.

Key Takeaways

  • PayPal Transfer sends money directly to a bank account without the recipient needing PayPal, and takes one to three business days to arrive.
  • Domestic transfers within the US cost a flat fee (currently $0.25 for standard transfers), while international transfers cost a percentage of the amount plus a flat fee.
  • You need the recipient's full name, bank account number, and routing number to complete a domestic transfer.
  • The money comes from your PayPal balance or linked bank account, and you can cancel a transfer only before PayPal has processed it to the bank.

How to set up a bank transfer from PayPal

Log into your PayPal account on the website or app. Click Send & Request (on the app) or Transfer Money (on the website). Select Transfer to your bank if you are moving your own money out, or Send money to friends and family if you are sending to someone else's account.

For sending to another person's bank account, you will enter their name, bank account number, and routing number. PayPal will ask you to confirm the account type (checking or savings) and the recipient's address. Double-check every detail—a wrong routing number or account number will cause the transfer to fail or go to the wrong account.

Enter the amount, add an optional note, and review the fee before you confirm. PayPal will show you the exact fee amount before you submit, so you know the total cost.

Fees for sending money to a bank account

Domestic transfers within the US currently cost $0.25 per transfer. This is a flat fee regardless of the amount—sending $10 or $1,000 costs the same.

International transfers cost more. The fee is usually 1.5% of the amount plus a flat fee (typically $2.00 to $5.00 depending on the destination country). Some countries have higher fees or are not supported at all. PayPal shows the exact fee before you send, so you can see the total cost upfront.

If you are sending money from your PayPal balance, the fee comes out of that balance. If you are sending from a linked bank account, PayPal withdraws the transfer amount plus the fee from your bank.

How long it takes for the money to arrive

Domestic transfers to US bank accounts typically arrive within one to three business days. The exact timing depends on the recipient's bank—some banks post transfers the same day, others take the full three days.

International transfers take longer, usually three to five business days or more depending on the destination country and the receiving bank's processing speed. PayPal does not control the final step; once the money leaves PayPal's system, the receiving bank decides when to post it.

Weekends and holidays do not count as business days. If you send money on a Friday evening, it will not start processing until Monday.

What information you need from the recipient

For a domestic US transfer, you need the recipient's full legal name (as it appears on their bank account), their bank account number, and their routing number. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies the bank or credit union.

The recipient can find their routing number on a check, by calling their bank, or by looking it up on their bank's website. Do not guess or use a number you are not certain about—a wrong routing number will send the money to the wrong bank.

For international transfers, you may also need the recipient's IBAN (International Bank Account Number) or SWIFT code, depending on the country. PayPal will tell you which information is required when you start the transfer.

Canceling or disputing a transfer

You can cancel a transfer only if PayPal has not yet sent it to the bank. Once PayPal has processed the transfer and sent it to the receiving bank, you cannot cancel it through PayPal. This usually happens within a few hours of you submitting the transfer.

If the money was sent to the wrong account due to incorrect bank details, you will need to contact the receiving bank and ask them to reverse it. This is not always possible, especially if the receiving bank has already posted the deposit. The receiving bank may also charge a fee to reverse a transfer.

If you believe the transfer was unauthorized or fraudulent, report it to PayPal through your account's Resolution Center. PayPal will investigate, but recovery is not may provide if the money has already been withdrawn from the receiving account.

Alternatives to PayPal Transfer

If you want to avoid PayPal's fee, you can transfer money directly from your own bank account to someone else's bank account using your bank's online banking system or a wire transfer. This is free or low-cost and does not require the recipient to have PayPal.

Other digital payment services like Venmo, Square Cash, and Wise also send money to bank accounts, though they have different fee structures and speed. Venmo and Square Cash are faster for small amounts between friends but charge more for instant transfers. Wise is cheaper for international transfers because it uses real exchange rates instead of PayPal's markup.

If the recipient has a PayPal account, you can send money to their PayPal email address for free (or for a small fee if you want it instantly). They can then transfer it to their bank account themselves, though they will pay PayPal's withdrawal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the recipient need a PayPal account to receive money?

No. PayPal Transfer sends money directly to a bank account, so the recipient does not need PayPal. They will see the deposit in their bank account as coming from PayPal, Inc., but they do not have to sign up or take any action to receive it.

What happens if I send money to the wrong bank account?

Once PayPal has sent the transfer to the bank, you cannot cancel it. You will need to contact the receiving bank and ask them to reverse the transfer. They may refuse if the money has already been withdrawn. If the account belongs to someone else, you may need to file a dispute with PayPal, though recovery is not may provide.

Can I send money to a savings account or only checking?

You can send to either a checking or savings account. PayPal asks you to specify the account type when you enter the bank details. The money will arrive the same way regardless of which type of account it is.

Is PayPal Transfer safe?

PayPal Transfer uses encryption and fraud detection to protect your account. However, once the money reaches the recipient's bank, it is out of PayPal's control. If you send to the wrong account or a scammer, PayPal may not be able to recover the money. Always verify the recipient's bank details before you send.

Why is my transfer taking longer than three days?

The receiving bank controls the final posting time. Some banks process transfers instantly, others take the full three business days. Transfers sent on weekends or holidays do not start processing until the next business day. If it has been more than five business days, contact PayPal to check the status.