How to close your PayPal account
To cancel 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 open disputes, pending transactions, or account holds before the closure completes. The account closes immediately after confirmation, but PayPal keeps your transaction history for seven years for tax and legal reasons.
Before you close the account, make sure your balance is zero. If you have money in your PayPal wallet, transfer it to your linked bank account first—this takes one to three business days. If you have an outstanding balance (money you owe PayPal), you must pay it before closing. PayPal will not let you close an account with a negative balance.
Once closed, you cannot reopen the same account. You can create a new PayPal account with the same email address after 24 hours, but it will be treated as a separate account with no history or connection to the old one.
Key Takeaways
- Close your account through Settings > Account > Resolution Center > Close Account, and PayPal will ask you to confirm.
- Your PayPal balance must be zero and any outstanding balance must be paid before you can close the account.
- Closing is permanent for that account—you cannot reopen it, though you can create a new account with the same email after 24 hours.
- PayPal retains your transaction records for seven years even after closure, for tax and legal compliance.
- If you have active disputes, pending money transfers, or account holds, you must resolve them before the closure goes through.
Settle your balance before closing
PayPal will not let you close an account if you have money sitting in it or if you owe PayPal money. Check your account balance by logging in and looking at your wallet or home page—it shows your current balance in your default currency.
If you have a positive balance (money PayPal owes you), transfer it to your linked bank account. Go to Wallet, select your bank account, and choose Transfer to Bank. The transfer takes one to three business days depending on your bank. Do not close the account until the transfer completes and your PayPal balance shows zero.
If you have a negative balance (money you owe PayPal), you must pay it. PayPal will show you the amount owed and the payment method. Pay the full amount before attempting to close. Once your balance is zero, you can proceed with closure.
Resolve disputes and holds before closing
If you have an open dispute, a chargeback, or a claim filed against your account, PayPal will not let you close until it is resolved. Check the Resolution Center to see if any cases are active. If there are, you must wait for PayPal to close them or resolve them yourself by reaching an agreement with the other party.
Account holds—temporary freezes PayPal places on your funds—also block closure. Holds usually last 24 hours to 21 days depending on the reason. Common reasons include unusual activity, a new account, or a recent large transaction. Wait for the hold to lift before closing, or contact PayPal Support to ask about the hold and whether it can be removed early.
Pending transactions (money you sent or received that has not cleared) may also prevent closure. Wait for pending transfers to complete, which usually takes one to three business days. Once all transactions are settled and your balance is zero, you can close.
What happens to your transaction history after closure
Closing your PayPal account does not delete your transaction history. PayPal keeps records of all transactions for seven years, even after you close the account. This is required by law for tax reporting and fraud investigation purposes.
You can still view your transaction history after closure by logging back in with your email and password—the account will not be fully inaccessible. However, you will not be able to send or receive money, and you cannot use PayPal services. If you need a record of a specific transaction for tax or legal reasons, download or screenshot it before closing, or contact PayPal Support after closure to request a copy.
Creating a new account after closure
You can create a new PayPal account using the same email address, but you must wait 24 hours after closing the old account. The new account will be completely separate—it will have no connection to your old account, no transaction history, and no linked payment methods or bank accounts. You will need to add those again from scratch.
If you are closing because of a problem with your account (a limitation, a dispute you lost, or fraud), opening a new account with the same email may trigger the same issue. PayPal may flag the new account if the underlying problem has not been resolved. If you were limited or suspended, contact PayPal Support before closing to understand why, and ask whether a new account will face the same restrictions.
Canceling automatic payments and subscriptions
Before closing your account, cancel any automatic payments or subscriptions you set up through PayPal. If you do not cancel them, merchants will try to charge your closed account, which will fail and may result in late fees or service interruptions on your end.
Log in to your PayPal account, go to Settings, select Payments, and look for Manage Automatic Payments. This shows all active subscriptions and recurring charges. Click each one and select Cancel. Confirm the cancellation. Do this for every subscription before you close the account.
If you forget to cancel before closing, contact the merchant directly to cancel the subscription. Provide them with your old PayPal email and ask them to remove the payment method from their system. They may ask for your new payment method if you want to keep the service, but you are not required to provide one.
Unlink your bank account and payment methods
PayPal will automatically unlink your bank account and credit or debit cards when you close your account. However, you can unlink them manually before closing if you want to be certain they are removed.
Go to Settings, select Wallet, and review all linked bank accounts and cards. Click each one and select Remove or Unlink. Confirm the removal. This does not affect your bank account or card itself—it only removes PayPal's access to them. Your bank account and cards will continue to work normally with other services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen my PayPal account after I close it?
No, you cannot reopen the same account. You can create a new PayPal account with the same email address after waiting 24 hours, but it will be a completely separate account with no history or connection to the closed one. You will need to link new payment methods and start over.
What if I have money in my PayPal account that I cannot transfer?
If your transfer to your bank account is failing, contact PayPal Support to find out why. Common reasons include an invalid or closed bank account, a mismatch between your name and your bank account name, or a hold on your account. PayPal Support can help you fix the issue or, in some cases, issue a check to your address instead.
Will closing my PayPal account hurt my credit score?
No. Closing a PayPal account does not affect your credit score because PayPal does not report account closures to credit bureaus. However, if you owe PayPal money and do not pay it before closing, PayPal may send the debt to a collection agency, which can harm your credit.
Can I close my account if I have a dispute or chargeback pending?
No, PayPal will not let you close your account while a dispute or chargeback is open. You must wait for PayPal to resolve it or reach an agreement with the other party. Once the case is closed, you can proceed with account closure.
Do I need to contact PayPal Support to close my account?
No. You can close your account yourself through Settings > Account > Resolution Center > Close Account. You only need to contact PayPal Support if you run into a problem during closure, such as a hold on your account, a pending dispute, or a transfer that is not working.