PayPal gives you three ways to get money into your bank account: instant transfer, standard transfer, and debit card withdrawal
Instant transfer moves money to your linked debit card in minutes and costs $0.25 per transaction. Standard transfer takes one to three business days and is free. Debit card withdrawal lets you pull cash from an ATM using a PayPal debit card, which you have to order separately. Which one you use depends on how fast you need the money and whether you want to pay the fee.
All three routes require you to link a U.S. bank account or debit card to your PayPal account first. If you have not done that yet, you will need your routing number and account number, which you can find on a check or by logging into your bank's website.
Key Takeaways
- Instant transfer costs $0.25 and lands money on your debit card in minutes; standard transfer is free but takes one to three business days.
- You must link a U.S. bank account or debit card to your PayPal account before you can move money out.
- PayPal holds some transfers for review, which can add 24 hours or more; this happens more often on your first transfer or with large amounts.
- Money transferred to your bank account is final and cannot be reversed once it leaves PayPal, so double-check the account details before you confirm.
- If a transfer fails, PayPal returns the money to your PayPal balance within three to five business days.
How to link your bank account or debit card to PayPal
Log into your PayPal account on a computer or the PayPal app. Go to Wallet (on the app, tap the wallet icon at the bottom). Click or tap Link a bank account or Link a debit or credit card. Enter your routing number and account number if you are linking a bank account, or your card number if you are linking a debit card.
PayPal will ask you to confirm the account by depositing two small amounts into it—usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each. This takes one to two business days. Once the deposits land, log back into PayPal, go to your bank account settings, and enter the two amounts to verify ownership. After that, the account is linked and ready to use.
If you are linking a debit card instead, PayPal will verify it instantly using your card issuer's system, and you can start transferring right away.
Standard transfer: free but slower
Standard transfer is the cheapest option. Open PayPal, go to Wallet, and click or tap the linked bank account you want to transfer to. Select Transfer money and choose Transfer to your bank. Enter the amount, review the details, and click Transfer now. PayPal will show you an estimated arrival date, usually one to three business days from the date you initiate the transfer.
The money goes into your bank account, not your debit card. If you linked a debit card instead of a bank account, PayPal will transfer to the bank account associated with that card, which may take longer. Standard transfer is free no matter the amount, so it is the right choice if you can wait a few days.
PayPal may hold the transfer for review before it processes, especially if it is your first transfer, if the amount is large, or if your account activity looks unusual. If this happens, PayPal will notify you and tell you how long the hold will last—usually 24 hours.
Instant transfer: fast but costs $0.25
Instant transfer sends money to your linked debit card in minutes. Go to Wallet, select your debit card, and click Transfer money. Choose Instant transfer, enter the amount, and confirm. PayPal charges $0.25 and deducts it from the amount you transfer. The money should appear on your debit card within minutes, though it may take up to 30 minutes during peak times.
Instant transfer only works with debit cards, not bank accounts. If you only have a bank account linked, you will not see the instant transfer option. You can link a debit card separately and use it just for instant transfers.
There is no limit on how many instant transfers you can make in a day, but PayPal may hold individual transfers for review. If that happens, the transfer will not go through until the review is complete, which can take several hours or a full business day.
What happens if a transfer fails or is delayed
If PayPal cannot complete a transfer—because the account number is wrong, the account is closed, or the bank rejects it—the money returns to your PayPal balance within three to five business days. PayPal will send you a notification explaining why the transfer failed. Check the account details and try again, or contact your bank to confirm the account is active.
If a transfer is delayed because PayPal is reviewing it, you will see a note in your transaction history saying On hold or Under review. The review usually takes 24 hours. During that time, the money stays in your PayPal account and has not left yet. Once the review clears, the transfer processes automatically.
If you initiated a standard transfer and it has been more than three business days, contact PayPal support. Provide your transaction ID, which you can find in your transaction history. PayPal will investigate and either complete the transfer or return the money to your account.
Transfers are final once they leave PayPal
Once a transfer leaves your PayPal account and lands in your bank account or on your debit card, PayPal cannot reverse it. This is different from a refund or a dispute—those apply to money coming into PayPal, not money going out. If you transfer money to the wrong account by mistake, you will have to contact your bank or the account holder directly to ask them to return it.
Before you confirm any transfer, check the account details carefully. Make sure the routing number and account number match your bank statement, or that the debit card number is correct. A single wrong digit will cause the transfer to fail and the money to bounce back to PayPal.
Using a PayPal debit card to withdraw cash
If you have a PayPal debit card, you can withdraw cash from any ATM that accepts Mastercard. The card draws directly from your PayPal balance, so you do not have to transfer money to your bank account first. To order a PayPal debit card, go to Wallet, click Cards, and select Order a debit card. PayPal will mail it to your address, which takes five to seven business days.
ATM withdrawals are free at MoneyPass ATMs (over 40,000 nationwide) and at most major bank ATMs. Out-of-network ATM withdrawals cost $1.50 to $2.50 depending on the ATM operator. You can find a MoneyPass ATM using the PayPal app or the MoneyPass website.
The debit card also works for purchases anywhere Mastercard is accepted, so it functions as a regular debit card. You can set a PIN and check your balance in the PayPal app.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it really take for money to show up in my bank account?
Standard transfer takes one to three business days from the date you initiate it. Weekends and holidays do not count as business days. If you transfer on a Friday after 11:59 p.m. ET, the clock starts on Monday. Instant transfer to a debit card takes minutes to 30 minutes. If money does not arrive within the stated timeframe, contact PayPal with your transaction ID.
Can I transfer money from PayPal to someone else's bank account?
No. PayPal transfers only go to bank accounts or debit cards linked to your own PayPal account. To send money to someone else, use PayPal's Send money feature, which lets you transfer funds to another PayPal user's email address or phone number. That person can then transfer it to their own bank account.
What if I do not have a bank account, only a debit card?
You can link a debit card to PayPal and use instant transfer to move money to it. The money will go to the bank account associated with that debit card. If the debit card is prepaid or does not have a linked bank account, contact the card issuer to find out whether PayPal transfers are supported.
Why is PayPal holding my transfer for review?
PayPal reviews transfers to detect fraud and unusual activity. Holds are more common on your first transfer, transfers over a certain amount (which varies by account), or if your account activity looks different than usual. The hold typically lasts 24 hours. You cannot speed it up, but PayPal will notify you when the review is complete.
Can I cancel a transfer after I have started it?
If the transfer is still under review or has not processed yet, you can cancel it from your transaction history. Click the transaction, select Cancel transfer, and confirm. The money returns to your PayPal balance immediately. Once a transfer has completed and left PayPal, you cannot cancel it.