PayPal accepts non-US bank accounts, but only from certain countries and with extra verification steps
You can link a bank account from outside the United States to your PayPal account, but PayPal does not accept banks from every country. The countries PayPal supports change over time, and the verification process differs depending on where your bank is located. If your country is supported, you will need to provide your International Bank Account Number (IBAN) or local account details, and PayPal will typically send two small test deposits to confirm you own the account.
The main limitation is that non-US accounts cannot be used for all PayPal features. A foreign bank account can receive money into your PayPal wallet, but you may not be able to withdraw directly to that account in all cases. Some countries allow direct withdrawal; others require you to transfer money to a US bank first, or to use PayPal's debit card or money transfer services instead.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal supports bank accounts from roughly 200 countries and regions, but the list changes and some countries are excluded entirely.
- You will need your IBAN (International Bank Account Number) or your bank's local account format, plus proof of identity and address to add a foreign account.
- PayPal sends two small test deposits to verify you own the account; you must confirm the amounts to complete linking.
- Withdrawal options vary by country—some allow direct transfer to your foreign bank, while others require a US bank account or alternative method.
- Currency conversion fees apply when money moves between your PayPal account and a non-US bank, typically 2 to 3 percent plus a fixed fee.
Which countries PayPal accepts and how to check yours
PayPal maintains a list of supported countries on its website, but the easiest way to know if your country qualifies is to attempt the linking process itself. Start by logging into your PayPal account, going to your wallet or settings, and selecting the option to add a bank account. When you enter your country, PayPal will tell you immediately whether it accepts banks from that location.
If your country does not appear in the dropdown menu, PayPal does not currently support it. This does not mean the restriction is permanent—PayPal adds and removes countries based on regulatory changes and partnerships with local banks. If your country is not supported now, you can check back periodically, or contact PayPal support to ask whether support is planned.
Some countries that PayPal supports have restrictions on what you can do with a linked bank account. For example, you may be able to receive money but not withdraw it, or you may only be able to use the account for specific transaction types. PayPal will show these restrictions during the linking process, so read the confirmation screen carefully before you proceed.
How to link a non-US bank account step by step
Log into your PayPal account and navigate to your wallet (on the website) or settings (in the app). Look for an option labeled "Link a bank account" or "Add a bank account." Select your country from the dropdown menu. If your country appears, PayPal will ask you to enter your bank details.
You will need to provide your IBAN (the international account number used in Europe and many other regions) or your bank's local account format. Different countries use different formats—some use IBAN, others use a routing number and account number, and some use a bank code and account number. Your bank can tell you which format to use, or you can find it on your bank statement or in your online banking portal.
After you enter your account details, PayPal will send two small deposits (usually between 0.01 and 0.99 of your local currency) to your bank account. This process takes 1 to 3 business days. Once the deposits arrive, you must log back into PayPal and confirm the exact amounts. This step proves you own the account and have access to it. Until you confirm the amounts, PayPal will not allow you to use the account for transactions.
Verification documents PayPal may request
Before or after you link your bank account, PayPal may ask you to verify your identity and address. This is more common for non-US accounts than for US accounts. You will typically need to upload a government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license, or national ID card) and proof of your current address (a utility bill, bank statement, or government letter dated within the last few months).
PayPal's verification system is automated, but if your documents are unclear or do not match the information in your PayPal account, a person will review them manually. This can add several days to the process. Make sure the name on your ID matches the name on your PayPal account exactly, and that your address proof is recent and legible.
If PayPal cannot verify your identity, it may limit your account or ask you to provide additional documents. In some cases, you may need to contact PayPal support directly to resolve the issue. Keep copies of everything you upload, in case you need to resubmit or explain a discrepancy.
Withdrawal options: getting money back to your foreign bank
Once your bank account is linked and verified, you can receive money into your PayPal account from other PayPal users or from online sales. However, withdrawing money back to your non-US bank account depends on your country. Some countries allow direct bank transfer; others do not.
If your country supports direct withdrawal, you can transfer money from your PayPal balance to your linked bank account. The transfer usually takes 3 to 5 business days, and PayPal charges a currency conversion fee (typically 2 to 3 percent of the amount plus a fixed fee of 0.30 to 0.99 USD or equivalent). You will see the exact fee before you confirm the withdrawal.
If your country does not support direct withdrawal, you have other options. You can request a PayPal debit card (available in some countries), use PayPal's money transfer service to send funds to another account, or transfer money to a US bank account if you have one. Some users also withdraw to a digital wallet like Wise or Revolut, which can then send money to their local bank at a lower cost than PayPal charges.
Currency conversion and fees
Every time money moves between your PayPal account (which operates in USD) and a non-US bank account (which operates in a different currency), PayPal converts the currency and charges a fee. The conversion rate PayPal uses is typically within 1 to 2 percent of the mid-market rate, but PayPal adds its own margin on top of that.
The fee structure is: a percentage of the amount (usually 2 to 3 percent) plus a fixed fee per transaction (usually 0.30 to 0.99 USD or the equivalent in your currency). For example, if you withdraw 100 EUR to your German bank account, PayPal might charge 2.5 percent plus 0.99 USD, which comes to roughly 4 to 5 EUR total. The exact fee depends on your country and the currency involved.
To minimize fees, withdraw larger amounts less frequently rather than small amounts often. If you receive money in multiple currencies, consider holding it in PayPal's multi-currency wallet and converting it yourself at a time when the rate is favorable, rather than letting PayPal convert it automatically.
What to do if PayPal rejects your bank account
If PayPal tells you your bank account cannot be linked, the most common reasons are: your country is not supported, your bank details are incorrect, or your account failed verification. Start by double-checking your IBAN or account number—a single digit wrong will cause the link to fail. Contact your bank if you are unsure of the correct format.
If your country is supported but PayPal still rejects the account, try unlinking it and linking it again. Sometimes a temporary glitch prevents the link from working the first time. If it fails a second time, contact PayPal support and provide your bank details and country. PayPal support can sometimes manually review your account and link it if there is a technical issue on PayPal's end.
If your country is not supported, you cannot link a bank account from that country to PayPal. In this case, you can request a PayPal debit card (if available in your country), use a third-party service like Wise to receive money and transfer it to your bank, or ask the person sending you money to use an alternative payment method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a non-US bank account to send money through PayPal?
No. A non-US bank account can only receive money into your PayPal wallet. To send money from PayPal, you must use a credit card, debit card, or a US bank account. If you want to send money from your foreign bank account, you will need to transfer it to a US account first, or use a different payment service.
How long does it take to verify a non-US bank account?
The test deposit verification usually takes 1 to 3 business days. Identity and address verification can take anywhere from a few minutes (if automated) to several days (if reviewed manually). In total, expect 3 to 7 business days from start to finish, though it can be faster or slower depending on your bank and PayPal's verification queue.
What happens if I enter the wrong amount when confirming the test deposits?
If you enter an incorrect amount, PayPal will tell you immediately and ask you to try again. You have multiple attempts to confirm the correct amounts. If you cannot remember the exact amounts, contact PayPal support and they can tell you what they were, or they can re-send the deposits.
Can I link multiple bank accounts from different countries?
Yes. You can link more than one bank account to your PayPal account, including accounts from different countries. However, you can only have one primary bank account at a time. When you withdraw money, you choose which account to send it to, so you can switch between them as needed.
Will PayPal charge me a fee just for having a non-US bank account linked?
No. PayPal only charges fees when money actually moves—either when you receive a payment and it converts currency, or when you withdraw money to your bank. Simply having the account linked costs nothing.