PayPal lets you split a payment with others in two ways: you can request money from people after you pay, or use a group payment link if everyone is paying toward the same thing
The method you choose depends on who is paying and what you are paying for. If you are splitting a bill after the fact—say, dinner or rent—you request reimbursement from each person through PayPal's request feature. If everyone is contributing to one payment upfront—like a group gift or shared expense—you can create a group payment link that collects money from multiple people into one transaction.
PayPal does not split the payment itself at checkout. You pay the full amount, then collect from others afterward, or you collect contributions first and then make the payment. There is no way to have PayPal automatically divide a charge across multiple cards or accounts at the moment of purchase.
Key Takeaways
- You can request money from specific people after you have paid, and they receive a notification to send their share back to you through PayPal.
- Group payment links let you collect contributions from multiple people before you make the payment, and PayPal holds the money until you release it.
- PayPal charges a fee when money is sent to you (usually 2.99% plus $0.30 for goods and services), but requesting money from friends and family has no fee if they choose that payment type.
- The person who creates the group payment link is responsible for paying the full amount to the merchant if contributions fall short.
- Splitting works only within PayPal's platform—the merchant does not see the split, and you handle the division yourself.
How to request money from someone after you have paid
Open PayPal on your phone or computer and go to the Money tab (on mobile) or click Request (on desktop). Enter the person's email address or phone number, the amount they owe, and a description of what it is for—for example, "Dinner at Mario's, your share." You can add a note if you want.
PayPal sends them a notification. They can pay you back by clicking the request, choosing their payment method, and sending the money. If they use their PayPal balance or linked bank account, there is no fee. If they use a credit or debit card, PayPal charges them a fee (usually around 2.99% plus $0.30). You receive the money in your PayPal account, and it can take one to three business days to transfer to your bank if you withdraw it.
You can request money from multiple people for the same expense. Send a separate request to each person with their individual share. There is no limit to how many requests you can send at once.
How to create a group payment link
On the PayPal website, go to Tools and select Group Payments (this feature is not available on the mobile app yet). Enter the total amount, give it a name, and add the email addresses of everyone who should contribute. You can set how much each person owes, or let PayPal split it equally.
PayPal generates a link you can share via text, email, or social media. Each person clicks the link, sees the amount they owe, and pays their share. PayPal holds all the money in a temporary pool until you release it. Once you release the payment, PayPal sends the full amount to the merchant or to your account, depending on what you set up.
If the total contributions do not reach the full amount by the time you release the payment, you are responsible for covering the difference. Make sure everyone has paid before you release the funds, or set a deadline and remind people to contribute.
Fees and what you will pay
When someone pays you back through a money request using their PayPal balance or bank account, there is no fee. If they pay with a credit or debit card, PayPal charges them a fee of 2.99% plus $0.30 (this varies slightly by country).
For group payments, PayPal charges you a fee when you release the payment to the merchant. The fee is the same as a standard PayPal transaction: 2.99% plus $0.30 for goods and services payments. If you are collecting money from friends and family and keeping it in your PayPal account, there is no fee to receive the money, but you will pay a fee if you transfer it to your bank.
Always tell the other people involved whether they are paying a fee. If you are splitting dinner and one person uses a credit card to pay their share, they will see the fee added to their payment.
What happens if someone does not pay their share
If you send a money request and the person does not respond, you can send a reminder through PayPal. Click on the request, and select Send Reminder. PayPal will notify them again.
If they still do not pay, you have no automatic recovery option through PayPal. You cannot force them to pay or reverse the transaction. Your only option is to follow up with them directly—by phone, text, or in person—and ask them to send the money. If they refuse, you may need to pursue it outside PayPal, such as through small claims court, though that is rarely worth the effort for small amounts.
For group payments, if someone does not contribute by the time you release the payment, you have already covered their share out of your own money. PayPal does not hold the payment pending full collection, so plan ahead and set a clear deadline.
Splitting payments with international contacts
You can request money from people in other countries, but PayPal charges higher fees for international transfers. If someone outside your country pays you back, PayPal may charge them an international transaction fee in addition to the standard fee—this can be 4% to 5% or more, depending on the countries involved.
Group payments are available in most countries where PayPal operates, but the feature may not work exactly the same way everywhere. Check PayPal's website for your country to confirm whether group payments are available to you.
Currency conversion also applies if the person paying you is in a different country. PayPal will convert their local currency to yours, and they will see the exchange rate before they confirm payment.
Alternatives to PayPal for splitting payments
Other apps like Venmo, Square Cash, and Splitwise also let you split expenses. Venmo and Square Cash work similarly to PayPal—you pay first, then request reimbursement. Splitwise is designed specifically for tracking shared expenses over time and can calculate who owes whom across multiple transactions.
Some payment apps, like Stripe or Square, let merchants split a payment at checkout if the merchant has set that up, but this is not available to regular PayPal users making personal payments. Credit card companies do not offer payment splitting at checkout either.
If you are splitting a bill at a restaurant or store, the simplest method is often to ask the merchant to split the bill across multiple cards at the register. This avoids fees and does not require anyone to pay first and request reimbursement later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I split a PayPal payment at checkout with a merchant?
No. PayPal does not let you divide a single purchase across multiple cards or accounts at the moment you check out. You have to pay the full amount yourself, then request reimbursement from others, or collect money from everyone first through a group payment link.
What if someone sends me money by mistake when I request a split?
If they send more than their share, you can refund the extra amount. Open the transaction in your PayPal activity, click Refund, and enter the amount to send back. If they send less than you asked for, you can send them another request for the difference or follow up with them directly.
Do I need a PayPal account to pay someone's split request?
You need a PayPal account to receive money, but the person requesting from you can send you a link that lets you pay without logging in. However, you will need to create an account or use an existing one to complete the payment.
How long does it take to receive money from a split payment?
Money arrives in your PayPal account instantly, but transferring it to your bank account takes one to three business days. If the other person uses a credit card to pay their share, PayPal may hold the money for a few days while it confirms the payment.
Can I use PayPal to split rent or a mortgage with roommates?
Yes, you can request money from roommates for their share of rent. Send each person a separate request with their amount. However, if your landlord does not accept PayPal, you will have to pay the full rent yourself and collect from your roommates afterward. Some landlords accept PayPal directly, so check with them first.