How to permanently close your PayPal account
To close your PayPal account, log in, go to Settings, select Account, then Resolution Center, and click Close Account. PayPal will ask you to confirm the closure and may require you to resolve any outstanding transactions first. Once closed, you cannot reopen the same account — you would have to create a new one with a different email address.
Before you close, make sure your account balance is zero. If you have money in your PayPal wallet, transfer it to your linked bank account or request a withdrawal. If you have an outstanding dispute, refund, or chargeback, PayPal will not let you close until it is resolved. The same applies if you owe PayPal money or have a negative balance.
Closing takes effect immediately, but PayPal keeps your records for up to seven years for tax and legal reasons. You will lose access to transaction history, and any recurring payments or subscriptions tied to that account will stop.
Key Takeaways
- Close your account through Settings > Account > Resolution Center > Close Account, but only after your balance is zero and all disputes are resolved.
- PayPal will not close your account if you have money in it, owe money, or have an active dispute or chargeback.
- Once closed, the account cannot be reopened — you must create a new account with a different email if you want to use PayPal again.
- PayPal retains your account records for up to seven years even after closure, and any recurring payments linked to the account will stop immediately.
What happens to money still in your PayPal account
If you have a balance in your PayPal wallet when you try to close, the system will block the closure. You must move that money out first. The fastest way is to transfer it to a linked bank account — this usually takes one to three business days. You can also request a check, though that takes longer and PayPal may charge a fee depending on your account type.
If you have money held by PayPal (for example, if you are a seller and PayPal is holding funds pending a dispute resolution), you cannot close until that hold is lifted. Contact PayPal's Resolution Center to check the status and find out when the hold will end.
Resolving disputes, chargebacks, and refunds before closing
PayPal will not close an account with an active dispute, chargeback, or pending refund. If a buyer has filed a dispute against you, you must wait for PayPal to resolve it — this can take 20 to 180 days depending on the type of dispute. If you initiated a refund to a customer, wait until it completes before attempting to close.
If you owe PayPal money — for example, because a chargeback went against you or you have a negative balance — you must pay that debt first. PayPal may pursue collection if you close without settling, and the debt can follow you if you try to open a new account later.
Removing PayPal as a payment method from other accounts
Closing your PayPal account does not automatically remove it from other services where you saved it. If you use PayPal to pay for subscriptions, apps, or online shopping, those services still have your PayPal information on file. You should remove PayPal from each service separately to prevent failed charges.
Log into each service (Netflix, Spotify, Amazon, your email provider, etc.), go to Payment Methods or Billing, and delete the PayPal entry. This stops the service from trying to charge your closed PayPal account. If a charge does attempt after closure, it will fail, and you may see a declined-payment notice from the service.
What to do if you want to keep using PayPal later
If you are closing because you do not use PayPal right now but think you might later, consider deactivating instead of closing. A deactivated account can be reactivated by logging back in — you keep the same email and account history. To deactivate, go to Settings > Account > Close Account and select the deactivation option if it appears (availability varies by account type and region).
If your account is already closed and you want to use PayPal again, you must create a new account with a different email address. You cannot reclaim the old account or its history. If you had a business account, note that PayPal may flag a new account created by the same person or business within a short time, so be prepared to verify your identity.
Removing a linked bank account or card without closing PayPal
If you only want to remove a bank account or card from PayPal — not close the entire account — go to Settings > Wallet, find the payment method, and click Remove. You can remove as many linked accounts as you want and keep your PayPal account active. This is useful if you want to stop PayPal from charging a specific card or bank account but still use PayPal with a different payment method.
If you remove all payment methods and your PayPal balance is zero, your account will still exist but you will not be able to send or receive money until you add a new payment method. This is different from closing, which permanently deactivates the account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen my PayPal account after I close it?
No. Once closed, that account cannot be reopened. You would have to create a new PayPal account with a different email address. Your old account records remain in PayPal's system for seven years, but you cannot access them or recover the account.
What happens to my transaction history after I close my account?
PayPal keeps your transaction records for seven years for tax and legal purposes, but you will not be able to view them once the account is closed. If you need records for taxes or disputes, download or screenshot them before closing.
Will closing my PayPal account hurt my credit score?
No. Closing a PayPal account does not affect your credit because PayPal does not report account closures to credit bureaus. However, if you owe PayPal money and they send it to collections, that can hurt your credit.
What if I have a pending payment when I try to close?
PayPal will not let you close if you have a pending payment, refund, or dispute. Wait for all transactions to complete, then try closing again. This usually takes a few business days.
Do I need to contact PayPal customer service to close my account?
No. You can close through the Settings menu yourself. Contact PayPal only if you cannot access your account, have a dispute blocking closure, or need help transferring your balance.