Why you need a bank account linked to PayPal
PayPal holds money in a digital wallet, but to move it into your actual bank account—or to fund payments from your bank instead of a card—you need to connect the two. Adding a bank account lets you transfer money out of PayPal to spend it, deposit money into PayPal from your checking account, and set up automatic payments. Without it, you can only spend what's already in your PayPal balance, and you can't move money back out.
The process takes about 10 minutes to start, though PayPal may take a few days to confirm the account is real before you can move large amounts of money.
Key Takeaways
- You add a bank account through PayPal's wallet settings, not through your bank—PayPal initiates the connection on its end.
- PayPal will verify your account by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into your bank account, which you then confirm in the PayPal app.
- Verification typically takes 1 to 3 business days, and you must enter the deposit amounts correctly to complete it.
- Once verified, you can transfer money out of PayPal to your bank account, usually within 1 to 2 business days.
- If verification fails or you enter the amounts wrong, you can start over or contact PayPal support to manually verify instead.
Step-by-step: Adding the bank account
Log into PayPal on a web browser or the mobile app. Go to Wallet (or Account on older versions), then select Link a bank account or Add bank account. PayPal will ask you to choose between linking a U.S. bank account or an international one—select the correct option for your bank's location.
Enter your bank's name or routing number. PayPal will search its database and show you a match. If your bank doesn't appear, search by routing number instead—you can find this on a check, your bank's website, or by calling the bank directly. Select your bank from the list, then enter your account number (the long number on the bottom left of a check) and confirm it. PayPal will ask you to verify your full name and address match your bank records.
Review the information and submit. PayPal will tell you that verification is pending and that two small deposits will arrive in your bank account within 1 to 3 business days. You do not need to do anything else until those deposits show up.
Confirming the deposits to complete verification
Check your bank account for two small deposits from PayPal, usually labeled "PAYPAL" or "PAYPAL INST XFER." The amounts will be random—for example, $0.23 and $0.17. Write down both amounts exactly as they appear. This step confirms that you own the bank account and that the account number you entered is correct.
Go back to PayPal and navigate to Wallet > Bank Accounts (or the equivalent in your version). Find the bank account you just added and select Confirm or Verify now. Enter the two deposit amounts in the exact order PayPal asks for them. If you enter them correctly, the account will be verified immediately, and you can start transferring money.
If you enter the amounts wrong, PayPal will tell you and let you try again. You typically get three attempts before the verification expires. If all three fail, you can start the process over or contact PayPal support to verify manually using your identity information instead.
What happens if verification takes longer than expected
Verification usually completes within 1 to 3 business days, but delays can happen if your bank processes deposits slowly or if PayPal's system is backed up. If more than 5 business days have passed and you haven't seen the deposits, log into PayPal and check the status of your bank account in the Wallet section—it will say "Pending" or "Verification in progress."
If the status hasn't changed in over a week, contact PayPal support through the app or website. Have your bank account number and routing number ready. PayPal can manually verify your account using your identity information, which bypasses the deposit step entirely. This usually takes 24 to 48 hours.
Transferring money once the account is verified
Once your bank account shows as Verified in your Wallet, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank. Go to Wallet > Transfer money > Transfer to your bank. Enter the amount you want to move and select your verified bank account as the destination. PayPal will show you the transfer fee (usually free for standard transfers) and the arrival date (typically 1 to 2 business days).
Confirm the transfer. The money will leave your PayPal balance immediately, but it won't appear in your bank account until the arrival date. You can check the status of any transfer in your PayPal transaction history. If a transfer fails—usually because the account was closed or the routing number changed—PayPal will return the money to your PayPal balance and send you a notification.
Using your bank account to fund PayPal payments
Once your bank account is verified, you can also use it to pay for things directly from PayPal without keeping a balance. When you make a purchase or send money, PayPal will ask which payment method you want to use. Select your bank account instead of a card or PayPal balance. PayPal will pull the money from your bank account on the day of the transaction, and it will show up as a debit in your bank within 1 to 2 business days.
This is useful if you don't want to keep money sitting in PayPal or if you prefer to pay directly from checking. However, bank transfers take longer to process than card payments, so use a card or PayPal balance if you need the payment to go through immediately.
Troubleshooting common problems
The deposits didn't arrive. Check that you entered your account number correctly when you added the bank account. If you're sure it's right, wait another 2 to 3 business days—some banks process ACH deposits slowly. If deposits still don't show after 5 business days, contact PayPal support and ask for manual verification.
You entered the deposit amounts wrong three times. You'll need to start over. Remove the bank account from your Wallet and add it again. PayPal will send new deposits with new amounts. Alternatively, contact PayPal support and ask them to verify manually using your identity instead of the deposit method.
PayPal says the account number is invalid. Double-check the account number on a recent check or your bank's website—make sure you didn't accidentally include spaces or dashes. If it's correct, your bank may not be compatible with PayPal's system. Call your bank and ask if they support ACH transfers to PayPal, or contact PayPal support for alternatives.
You want to remove or change the bank account. Go to Wallet > Bank Accounts, find the account, and select Remove or Edit. If you remove it, any pending transfers will be cancelled and the money will return to your PayPal balance. You can add a different account immediately after.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a bank account from a different country?
Yes, but only if PayPal supports that country. When you add a bank account, PayPal will ask you to choose the country. If your country isn't listed, PayPal doesn't yet support bank transfers from there. You can still use a debit card or credit card instead, or check PayPal's website to see if support is coming soon.
How long does it take to transfer money to my bank account?
Standard transfers take 1 to 2 business days. PayPal also offers instant transfers to some banks for a small fee (usually $0.25 to $2), which arrive within minutes. When you request a transfer, PayPal will show you both options and the fee for each.
What if I add the wrong bank account by mistake?
Remove it immediately from your Wallet before you transfer any money. Go to Bank Accounts, select the wrong account, and choose Remove. Then add the correct account. If you've already transferred money to the wrong account, contact PayPal support right away—they may be able to recover it depending on how long ago the transfer was.
Do I need a specific type of bank account?
No. PayPal accepts checking accounts, savings accounts, and money market accounts. The account must be in your name and at a bank that supports ACH transfers. Most U.S. banks do, but some credit unions and online banks may have restrictions—call your bank if you're unsure.
Can someone else's bank account be linked to my PayPal?
No. PayPal requires that the name on the bank account matches the name on your PayPal account. If the names don't match, verification will fail. You can only link accounts that are in your own name.