The basic process: link your bank, then transfer

To send money from PayPal to your bank account, you link a bank account to your PayPal profile, then initiate a transfer from the PayPal app or website. PayPal moves the money to your linked bank account—not the other way around. The transfer takes 1 to 3 business days to land in your account, though some banks take longer to post it.

You do not need to know your bank's routing number or account number in advance. PayPal can look these up automatically when you connect your bank through its secure link, or you can enter them manually if you prefer. Either way, PayPal verifies the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into your bank account a few days later, then asks you to confirm those amounts in the PayPal app to prove you own the account.

Key Takeaways

  • Link your bank account to PayPal first by connecting through the app or website, then verify it by confirming two small test deposits PayPal sends to your bank.
  • Transfers from PayPal to a linked bank account take 1 to 3 business days and are free if you choose standard transfer speed.
  • PayPal also offers an instant transfer option that moves money to your account within 30 minutes, but charges a flat fee (usually $0.25 to $2 depending on the amount).
  • If your transfer does not arrive within the stated timeframe, check PayPal's transaction history first to confirm the transfer was sent, then contact your bank if it shows as sent but has not posted.

Linking your bank account for the first time

Open the PayPal app or go to PayPal.com and sign in. Tap or click the menu icon (three horizontal lines), then select Wallet or Settings depending on your device. Look for Link a Bank Account or Add Bank Account.

PayPal will ask you to choose between connecting through your bank's login (the fastest method) or entering your account details manually. If you choose the bank login route, PayPal redirects you to your bank's secure site, you sign in there, and PayPal reads your account information directly. You return to PayPal and the account is linked immediately. If you enter details manually, you provide your routing number and account number, and PayPal sends two small deposits to your account within a few business days.

Once the deposits arrive (check your bank statement), return to PayPal, go back to your linked bank account in settings, and select Confirm Deposits or Verify Account. Enter the two amounts PayPal sent. PayPal confirms the account is yours and removes those test deposits from your balance.

Choosing between standard and instant transfers

Once your bank account is verified, you can transfer money two ways. Standard transfer is free and takes 1 to 3 business days. Instant transfer moves money to your account within 30 minutes but costs a fee.

The instant transfer fee depends on the amount you are sending. For transfers under $25, the fee is usually $0.25. For $25 to $200, it is typically $0.75. For $200 to $1,000, it is often $1.50. For amounts over $1,000, the fee can reach $2. PayPal shows you the exact fee before you confirm the transfer, so you see the cost upfront.

If you are not in a hurry, standard transfer saves you money. If you need the cash today or tomorrow and your bank is closed, instant transfer is worth the fee. Keep in mind that instant transfer moves the money to your bank, but your bank may still take a few hours to post it to your account balance—you can usually see it as pending immediately, though.

How to initiate a transfer from your PayPal balance

Open PayPal and go to your Wallet. You should see your PayPal balance at the top. Tap or click Transfer Money or Move Money. Select Transfer to Your Bank.

PayPal shows you the linked bank account (the last four digits and the bank name). If you have linked more than one account, you can choose which one receives the money. Enter the amount you want to transfer. PayPal displays the fee (if you choose instant transfer) and the arrival date. Review the details, then tap or click Transfer Now or Confirm.

PayPal sends you a confirmation email with a transaction ID. The money leaves your PayPal balance immediately. If you chose standard transfer, check your bank account in 1 to 3 business days. If you chose instant transfer, the money should appear as pending in your bank within 30 minutes.

What to do if your transfer does not arrive on time

First, confirm that PayPal actually sent the transfer. Open PayPal, go to Activity or Transaction History, and find the transfer you initiated. The status should say Completed or Sent. If it says Pending or Failed, the transfer never left PayPal—contact PayPal support through the app or website to find out why.

If PayPal shows the transfer as completed but it has not arrived in your bank account after the promised timeframe, contact your bank. Give them the PayPal transaction ID and the date you initiated the transfer. Your bank can trace the incoming transfer and tell you whether it has been received but not yet posted, or whether it is still in transit. Some banks hold transfers for 24 hours before posting them, especially if the amount is large or the transfer is from an unfamiliar sender.

If your bank says it never received the transfer, return to PayPal and open a dispute through the Resolution Center. PayPal will investigate and either resend the money or refund it to your PayPal balance.

Transfers from PayPal to accounts outside the United States

If your bank account is outside the U.S., PayPal may not support direct transfers to it. PayPal currently allows transfers to bank accounts in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and a few other countries, but the list changes. Before linking a foreign bank account, check PayPal's website or contact PayPal support to confirm your country is supported.

If your country is not supported, you have other options. You can transfer money to a PayPal Cash or PayPal Cash Plus account (if available in your region), use a third-party money transfer service that PayPal partners with, or withdraw cash from a PayPal ATM if one is available near you. Each option has different fees and timelines, so compare them based on the amount you are sending and how quickly you need the money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer money from PayPal to someone else's bank account?

No. PayPal transfers go only to a bank account linked to your own PayPal profile. To send money to someone else, use PayPal's peer-to-peer transfer feature (send money to their email or phone number) or ask them to provide their PayPal account so you can send it directly to them.

What happens if I unlink my bank account after a transfer is already in progress?

If the transfer has already been sent (status shows Completed), unlinking the account will not stop it—the money is on its way to your bank. If the transfer is still pending, unlinking may cancel it. To be safe, wait until the transfer arrives before making changes to your linked accounts.

Do I pay taxes on money I transfer from PayPal to my bank?

Transferring your own money from PayPal to your bank is not a taxable event. However, the money in your PayPal account may have come from income (like sales or freelance work) that is taxable. You owe taxes on the income itself, not on the transfer. Keep records of where the money came from.

Why does PayPal show my transfer as completed but my bank says it never arrived?

PayPal's "Completed" status means PayPal sent the transfer to your bank's system, not that your bank has posted it. Your bank may be processing it, holding it for verification, or experiencing a delay. Contact your bank with the transaction ID and ask them to trace the incoming transfer.

Can I cancel a transfer after I have sent it?

If the transfer is still pending, you may be able to cancel it through PayPal's transaction history. If it has already been sent (Completed status), you cannot cancel it—you must wait for it to arrive at your bank, then withdraw or transfer it back to PayPal if needed.