How to send a payment request in PayPal
Open PayPal on your computer or phone and go to the Money tab (or Wallet on mobile). Select Request money. Enter the email address or phone number of the person who owes you money, type the amount, add a description of what the payment is for, and choose your due date. PayPal will send them a notification with your request, and they can pay you directly from that message or by logging into their own account.
The person you request from will see your name, the amount, and the reason for the payment. They can accept and pay immediately, or ignore the request. If they don't pay by the due date you set, PayPal will send them a reminder, but the request won't automatically charge their account—they have to authorize the payment themselves.
Payment requests work best for money owed between people who already have PayPal accounts or are willing to open one. If the other person doesn't have PayPal, they'll be prompted to create an account or link a bank card or debit card to complete the payment.
Key Takeaways
- Payment requests are sent through the Money or Wallet tab and require only the recipient's email address or phone number.
- The recipient must actively accept and pay the request—PayPal does not automatically charge their account.
- You can set a due date, and PayPal will send the recipient a reminder if payment is not made by that date.
- The recipient will need a PayPal account or a valid payment method (bank card, debit card) to complete the payment.
- Payment requests include a description field so the recipient knows exactly what the money is for.
Sending a request on desktop versus mobile
On a computer, log into PayPal.com, click the Money tab at the top, and select Request money. Fill in the recipient's email address, the amount, and a note about what the payment covers. You can also upload an invoice or receipt if you want to attach documentation. Click Request when you're done.
On the PayPal mobile app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), go to Wallet, and tap Request money. The process is the same: enter the recipient's contact information, amount, and description. Mobile requests send just as quickly as desktop requests, and the recipient will get a notification either way.
What happens after you send a payment request
PayPal sends the recipient an email or app notification with your request. They can click the link in that message and pay immediately without logging into PayPal, or they can log in to their account and find the request in their Money or Wallet tab. Either way, they control when and whether to pay.
Once they pay, you'll get a notification that the payment has been received. The money goes into your PayPal balance, and you can transfer it to your bank account, keep it in PayPal, or use it to make other payments. If the recipient doesn't pay by your due date, PayPal sends them an automatic reminder, but you can also send a manual reminder yourself by going back to the request and clicking Remind.
If the recipient disputes the payment or claims they never received the request, you can show PayPal the record of the request you sent. PayPal keeps a history of all requests in your account, so you have proof of when you asked for the money and how much.
Fees for payment requests
PayPal does not charge you a fee to send a payment request. The recipient also pays no fee if they pay using their PayPal balance or a linked bank account. However, if they pay with a credit card or debit card, PayPal charges them a small fee (the amount varies by country and card type). Some recipients may choose to cover that fee themselves, or they may ask you to split it.
If you're requesting money from someone outside the United States, international fees may apply depending on the recipient's location and payment method. PayPal will show any applicable fees before the recipient completes the payment, so there are no surprises.
When a payment request is better than an invoice
A payment request is simpler and faster than creating a formal invoice. Use a request when you're asking for money from a friend, family member, or someone you know personally. Use an invoice when you're a business or self-employed and need to send a detailed bill with itemized charges, tax information, or your business name and address.
Invoices also allow you to set payment terms (like net 30 days) and include line items for different services or products. Payment requests are one-amount, one-reason transactions. If you need to bill someone for multiple items or services, an invoice is the better tool.
What to do if the recipient doesn't pay
If the due date passes and the recipient hasn't paid, send them a manual reminder through PayPal. Go to your Money tab, find the unpaid request, and click Remind. PayPal will send them another notification. You can also contact them directly by phone, text, or email to follow up.
If the recipient refuses to pay or becomes unresponsive, PayPal's payment request system does not have a dispute or collection process. A payment request is not the same as a transaction—no money has moved yet, so there's nothing to dispute. Your only options are to ask them again, ask a mutual friend to intervene, or pursue the debt outside of PayPal (such as through small claims court if the amount is significant).
For this reason, payment requests work best for money owed between people who trust each other or have an existing relationship. If you're concerned about whether someone will pay, consider asking them to send you money instead, or use a different payment method that gives you more protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a payment request after I send it?
Yes. Go to your Money tab, find the request, and click Cancel request. The recipient will be notified that the request has been canceled. If they've already paid, you cannot cancel the request, but you can refund the payment to them.
What if the recipient pays me but then claims they didn't authorize it?
PayPal's records show that they accepted and paid your request. If they dispute the payment, PayPal will review the transaction history and see that they clicked to authorize it. You have proof in the form of the request record and the payment confirmation.
Can I request money from someone who doesn't have a PayPal account?
Yes. PayPal will send them a notification, and they can create an account or link a payment method to complete the payment. They don't need to have an existing PayPal account to pay your request, but they will need to provide payment information.
Is there a limit to how much I can request?
PayPal's sending and receiving limits depend on your account type and history. Most personal accounts can request several thousand dollars per transaction, but limits vary. If you hit a limit, PayPal will tell you when you try to send the request. You can contact PayPal Support to ask about increasing your limit.
Do payment requests work internationally?
Yes, but the recipient must be in a country where PayPal operates. International payment requests may have higher fees and longer processing times depending on the recipient's location and payment method. PayPal will show you any fees before the recipient completes the payment.