Connect your bank account to PayPal in four steps

To link a bank account to PayPal, log into your account, go to Wallet, select Link a bank account, and enter your routing number and account number. PayPal will make two small deposits (usually $0.01 and $0.02) to that account within one to two business days. You then confirm those amounts in PayPal to verify ownership. Once confirmed, you can transfer money to and from that bank account, and use it as a funding source for payments.

The entire process takes about five minutes to start, but the verification step adds one to three business days before you can actually move money. If you have online banking set up, you can often see the deposit amounts within 24 hours.

Key Takeaways

  • PayPal sends two tiny test deposits to your bank account to confirm you own it; you must log into your bank and report those amounts back to PayPal.
  • Transfers from PayPal to your linked bank account take one to three business days and may include a small fee depending on your account type.
  • Once linked, your bank account becomes a funding source for PayPal payments and a destination for money you withdraw from PayPal.
  • You can link multiple bank accounts to one PayPal account, but each must be verified separately.

What information PayPal needs from you

PayPal requires your routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number (the unique number for your specific account). You can find both on a blank check, or by logging into your bank's website or app and looking at account details. Some banks call the routing number the "transit number" or "ABA number."

You will also need to confirm your full name, address, and date of birth if PayPal does not already have them on file. PayPal uses this information to match the account you are linking to your identity.

Do not use a savings account linked to a debit card or a money market account; PayPal works best with standard checking accounts. If you try to link an incompatible account type, PayPal will reject it during the verification step.

The verification process and how long it takes

After you enter your routing and account numbers, PayPal deposits two small amounts—typically $0.01 and $0.02—into your bank account. These appear as deposits from "PayPal" or "PAYPAL INST XFER." You will see them in your online banking within one to three business days, depending on your bank's processing speed.

Once you see the deposits, log back into PayPal, go to your bank account settings, and enter the two amounts. PayPal checks them against what it sent. If they match, your account is verified immediately. If you enter the wrong amounts, PayPal will let you try again, but you have up to 30 days to confirm before the link expires and you have to start over.

If your bank takes longer than three business days to show the deposits, or if you cannot find them, contact your bank's customer service to confirm the deposits arrived. Some banks hide small deposits in a separate section or flag them as pending.

What you can do once your account is linked

A linked bank account serves two purposes in PayPal. First, it becomes a funding source—when you send money through PayPal or make a purchase, you can choose to pay from your linked bank account instead of a PayPal balance or credit card. Second, it becomes a withdrawal destination—when you receive money in PayPal (from a sale, a refund, or a peer transfer), you can move that money to your bank account.

Transfers from PayPal to your bank account take one to three business days. PayPal does not charge a fee for standard transfers, but some account types (like PayPal Credit or business accounts) may have different rules. Transfers funded by your bank account to PayPal are usually instant if you have a PayPal Cash or PayPal Cash Plus account, but may take longer if you use a standard personal account.

You can 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 banking separate.

Removing or unlinking a bank account

If you want to stop using a linked bank account, go to Wallet, find the account in your list, and select Unlink. The account is removed immediately, and PayPal will not attempt any more transfers to it. You do not need to contact your bank.

If you unlink an account and then want to link it again later, you will have to go through the full verification process a second time—PayPal will send new test deposits. This takes another one to three business days.

If your bank account is closed or the routing number changes (for example, if your bank merges with another), PayPal will reject any transfer attempts to that account. You will need to unlink the old account and add the new one.

What to do if verification fails

If PayPal rejects your routing or account number during the initial entry, double-check both numbers against your check or your bank's website. A single digit wrong will cause the rejection. If you are certain the numbers are correct, contact your bank to confirm the account is set up to receive ACH transfers (the electronic transfer method PayPal uses). Some accounts, particularly business accounts or accounts at smaller banks, may have restrictions.

If you enter the wrong verification amounts and run out of attempts, you can request that PayPal send new test deposits. Go to your bank account settings and select Verify with new deposits. PayPal will send two new amounts, and you will have another 30 days to confirm them.

If your bank never shows the test deposits after three business days, contact PayPal's support team with your bank name and account type. PayPal can sometimes verify accounts manually, though this is slower and requires additional documentation.

Security and fraud protection

Linking a bank account does not give PayPal direct access to your account or the ability to withdraw money without your permission. Each transfer—whether you are sending money to PayPal or withdrawing from it—requires you to authorize it in PayPal. Your bank also has its own fraud protections for ACH transfers.

If someone gains access to your PayPal account, they can attempt to transfer money to a linked bank account, but your bank's fraud detection may block the transfer if the amount or timing seems unusual. If an unauthorized transfer occurs, report it to both PayPal and your bank immediately. PayPal's Buyer Protection and your bank's ACH fraud protections may cover the loss, though timelines vary.

Use a strong, unique password for PayPal and enable two-factor authentication (PayPal calls this two-step verification) to reduce the risk of account takeover. Two-factor authentication requires a code from your phone or email in addition to your password when you log in from a new device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?

Most savings accounts work, but some banks restrict ACH transfers on savings accounts or charge fees for them. Check with your bank first. If your savings account is linked to a debit card, PayPal may reject it. A standard checking account is the safest choice.

What if I enter the wrong verification amounts?

PayPal allows multiple attempts to enter the correct amounts. If you run out of attempts or the 30-day window closes, you can request new test deposits and start over. This adds another one to three business days to the process.

How long does a transfer from PayPal to my bank account actually take?

PayPal says one to three business days, but most transfers arrive within one business day. Weekends and bank holidays can add time. If a transfer does not arrive within three business days, contact PayPal support with your transaction ID.

Can I link someone else's bank account to my PayPal account?

No. PayPal requires that the name on the bank account match the name on your PayPal account. If the names do not match, PayPal will reject the link during verification or when you attempt a transfer.

What happens if my bank account is closed?

PayPal will not know immediately. The next time you try to transfer money to that account, the transfer will fail and PayPal will notify you. You can then unlink the closed account and add a new one. Unlink the old account as soon as you close it to avoid confusion.