Yes, you can transfer money from PayPal to a bank account outside the United States, but the method and cost depend on which country you're sending to and what type of PayPal account you hold.

PayPal offers two main ways to move money internationally: a standard bank transfer (called a withdrawal) and an instant transfer to a debit card. Standard transfers go directly to your bank account and usually cost between $0.99 and $2.99 USD, though some countries charge more. The money typically arrives in 1 to 3 business days, depending on your bank and the receiving country's banking system. Instant transfers to a debit card cost 1.5% of the amount you're sending and land within 30 minutes, but they require you to have a debit card linked to your PayPal account.

Not every country's banks work with PayPal's withdrawal system. PayPal maintains a list of supported countries and banks on its website. If your country or bank isn't on that list, you'll need to use a workaround like transferring to a debit card first, using a third-party money transfer service, or converting your PayPal balance to your home currency before withdrawal.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard bank transfers from PayPal to international accounts cost $0.99 to $2.99 USD and take 1 to 3 business days, but only work if your bank is on PayPal's supported list.
  • Instant transfers to a linked debit card cost 1.5% of the amount and arrive within 30 minutes, but require you to have a debit card connected to your PayPal account.
  • You must convert your PayPal balance to your local currency before withdrawing; PayPal's exchange rate includes a markup of roughly 2 to 3 percent.
  • If your bank isn't supported, you can transfer to a debit card, use a third-party service like Wise or OFX, or contact PayPal support to ask about alternative routes.
  • Your receiving bank may charge its own fee to receive the transfer, so check with them before you send.

How to set up a standard bank withdrawal to your international account

Log into your PayPal account and go to the Wallet section. Click "Transfer Money" and select "Transfer to Your Bank." PayPal will show you a list of banks it recognizes in your country; if yours appears, select it and enter your account number and routing or SWIFT code. If your bank doesn't appear in the dropdown, you can still try entering the details manually, but PayPal may reject the transfer if the account format doesn't match what it expects.

Before you transfer, convert your PayPal balance to your home currency. Go to your Wallet, find your balance in USD (or whatever currency PayPal holds it in), and click "Convert Currency." PayPal will show you its exchange rate, which includes a markup. You can accept or decline; if you decline, the transfer will happen at PayPal's rate on the day it processes. Once your balance is in your local currency, enter the amount you want to withdraw and confirm. PayPal will deduct the fee ($0.99 to $2.99 depending on the country) and send the rest to your bank within 1 to 3 business days.

Using instant transfers to a debit card instead

If your bank isn't on PayPal's supported list or you need the money faster, you can transfer to a debit card linked to your PayPal account. This costs 1.5% of the amount you're sending and the money arrives within 30 minutes. The catch is that the debit card must be issued in the same country as your PayPal account and registered to your name.

To set this up, go to your Wallet, click "Transfer Money," and select "Instant Transfer to Debit Card." Choose the card from your saved payment methods, enter the amount, and confirm. PayPal will deduct 1.5% and send the rest to the card. You can then withdraw cash from an ATM or use the card to spend the money directly. This method works in most countries where PayPal operates, even if your bank isn't on the withdrawal list.

What happens if your bank isn't supported

PayPal's supported bank list varies by country and changes over time. If you try to withdraw and your bank is rejected, you have several options. The fastest is to use an instant transfer to a debit card, which works in most countries. If you don't have a debit card, you can contact PayPal support and ask whether they have a workaround for your specific bank—sometimes they can process transfers manually, though this is rare.

A second option is to use a third-party money transfer service. Wise (formerly TransferWise) and OFX both connect to PayPal and can receive your balance, then send it to your bank account at a lower markup than PayPal charges. These services typically charge 1 to 2 percent plus a small fixed fee, which can be cheaper than PayPal's 2 to 3 percent markup on currency conversion. You'll need to create an account with the service, link it to PayPal, and transfer your balance there first.

Currency conversion and exchange rates

When you withdraw money to an international bank account, PayPal converts your balance from USD (or whatever currency it's held in) to your local currency. PayPal doesn't charge a separate conversion fee, but it does apply an exchange rate that includes a markup of roughly 2 to 3 percent above the mid-market rate. This means you'll receive slightly less than you would if you converted the money at a bank or service like Wise.

You can see PayPal's rate before you convert. In your Wallet, click "Convert Currency" and PayPal will show you the rate it's offering and the amount you'll receive. You don't have to convert immediately; if you decline, PayPal will convert at its rate on the day the transfer processes. Some users wait for a favorable rate or convert small amounts over time to average out the markup, though this requires discipline and doesn't always save money.

Fees your receiving bank might charge

PayPal's fee covers its side of the transfer, but your receiving bank may charge its own fee to accept the incoming wire. This is called an incoming wire fee and varies by bank and country. Some banks charge $5 to $15 USD; others charge a percentage of the amount received. A few banks don't charge anything. You should contact your bank before you transfer and ask whether they charge to receive international wires and how much.

If your bank charges a high fee, you might save money by using a third-party service like Wise, which often has lower receiving fees or none at all. Some services also offer local bank accounts in multiple countries, so you can receive money as a domestic transfer rather than an international wire, which is cheaper and faster.

Timing: how long transfers actually take

A standard PayPal bank transfer to an international account takes 1 to 3 business days from the moment you confirm it. This timeline assumes your bank is on PayPal's supported list and your account details are correct. Weekends and holidays don't count as business days, so a transfer you send on Friday may not arrive until Wednesday. If your receiving bank is in a different time zone, add another day.

Instant transfers to a debit card arrive within 30 minutes, but only if you're transferring to a card issued in the same country as your PayPal account. Transfers to cards in other countries are treated as standard transfers and take 1 to 3 business days. If your transfer doesn't arrive within the stated timeframe, check your PayPal transaction history to confirm it was sent, then contact your bank to ask whether it's pending on their end.

What to do if your transfer fails or gets stuck

A transfer can fail for several reasons: your bank account details are incorrect, your bank doesn't accept PayPal transfers, your account is flagged for review, or there's a mismatch between the name on your PayPal account and your bank account. If PayPal rejects your transfer, it will show an error message in your transaction history. Read the error carefully; it usually tells you what went wrong.

If the error is about your account details, log back into PayPal, go to your bank information, and double-check the account number, routing code, and SWIFT code. Make sure they match exactly what your bank provided. If the error says your bank isn't supported, try an instant transfer to a debit card instead. If your account is flagged for review, PayPal will send you an email with next steps; this usually means they need you to confirm your identity or provide proof of the money's source. Contact PayPal support through the Resolution Center in your account and provide whatever documentation they ask for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer from PayPal to a bank account in a country where I don't live?

No. PayPal requires that your receiving bank account be in the same country as your PayPal account. If you want to send money to someone else's account in another country, you'll need to use PayPal's "Send Money" feature instead, which has different fees and limits. For your own account, the receiving bank must match your PayPal country.

What's the difference between a SWIFT code and a routing number?

A routing number is used for domestic US bank transfers. A SWIFT code (also called a BIC) is used for international transfers and identifies your bank worldwide. If you're sending to a bank outside the US, you'll need the SWIFT code. Your bank can provide both; they're usually listed on your bank statement or in your online banking portal.

Does PayPal hold my money before sending it internationally?

PayPal may place a hold on your account if it's new, if you're transferring a large amount, or if your account has been flagged for review. Holds typically last 24 hours to a few days. You can check whether there's a hold by looking at your Wallet; if your balance shows as "pending" or "on hold," you'll need to wait before you can transfer. Contact PayPal support if the hold lasts longer than a week.

Is it cheaper to use PayPal or a service like Wise for international transfers?

It depends on the amount and the country. PayPal charges $0.99 to $2.99 plus a 2 to 3 percent markup on currency conversion. Wise charges roughly 1 to 2 percent plus a small fixed fee (usually $1 to $5). For small amounts under $100, PayPal's flat fee might be cheaper. For larger amounts, Wise is usually better. Compare the rates for your specific transfer before you decide.

Can I reverse a transfer after I've sent it?

Once PayPal has processed and sent your transfer, you cannot reverse it. If the money reaches your bank, only your bank can reverse it, and they usually won't unless there's fraud involved. Before you transfer, triple-check your account details. If you make a mistake and the money goes to the wrong account, contact PayPal support immediately and provide proof of the error; they may be able to help, but there's no may provide.